1900 K & P exhibited with great success at the Paris International exhibition winning several gold medals and accolades for the quality of their pipes. Fredrick Henry Kapp, son of Alfred and known as Harry, joined his father’s business in 1914 at the outbreak of the first World War. At some time around 1874 Fredrick moved to Dublin.while brother George remained in London until his death 5 years later. Fredrick and his young family settled in the Rathmines district of Dublin. In July of the same year he opened a new shop in 53 Grafton Street selling Briar and Meerschaum pipes. Peterson pipes are beautiful and carved for both aesthetics and immense smoking pleasure for both the experienced pipe smoker and the beginner.
In my humble opinion, Peterson have been consistent throughout their production of higher end pipes, in replicating a tradition of Celtic quality, at very reasonable prices. peterson pipes These are amongst the most attractive and collectable pipes in the Peterson range of pipe issues. Prices start at around $200 and rise to $800 for the Gold versions.
The business was then inherited by their 10 and 12 year old sons and was renamed Kapp Brothers after executors were appointed. Charles Peterson by then was the lead craftsman and managed the business on behalf of Fredrick and his wife’s executors until the boys came of age. When the Kapp brothers did eventually come of age, Alfred Kapp and Charles Peterson bought out Christian’s shareholding and renamed the business Kapp & Peterson.
As for the aesthetics and ergonomics, I find some shapes much more attractive than others. Favourites for me are the 1s, 2s, 3s, the Mark Twains and the Darwin deluxe. As far as value and cost is concerned, for the excellent quality finish, these are competitively priced at around $135 to $250 depending on size and briar grade. Taking inspiration from Celtic art, stretching back over 1000 years. Peterson have created this series of pipes, the main feature of which, is the unique Celtic Knot design on the hallmarked sterling silver band.
It is a very unique looking Peterson’s Kapet pipe in a shape 124 – a shape I have not seen or worked on before and one that I want to learn about as I worked on it. All of the pipes were in clean condition and had been reamed. This long canted looking pipe that is kind of a cutty had some burn marks on the front chacom tobacco pipes and back outer edge of the rim. The pipe was stamped on the left side and read Peterson’s [over] Kapet and on the right side it read Made in the Republic of Ireland. There was a silver band on the shank that was oxidized but otherwise in good condition and bears a Sterling Silver stamp on the top side.
Designed as a hand holding a flaming sword in Irish “an Claíomh Solais” or “sword of light” the mark bears the date 1916 to the right above and 1966 to the left below. An Claidheamh Soluis (Old Irish spelling), this was hallmarked with the letter Y. This very unusual and special date mark has in recent years become very scarce, mainly because it was only used for that year. Pipes that were marked thus, are much sought after by Peterson pipe collectors.
I have always been attracted to it and admired the classic shape, size and finish. They were offering the same pipe in various finishes and stem peterson pipes fittings. Having had the opportunity to see the pipe ‘in the flesh’, I am amazed at the quality, feel, looks and the smoking performance.