Charles Peterson, who was born in Latvia, worked as a pipe maker in the meerschaum factory of Friedrich Kapp, who emigrated from Nuremberg and ran a renowned tobacco boutique on Grafton Street in Dublin. Here the smoke is directed selectively into the throat area and thus protects sensitive tongues. Most Peterson pipe series are also available with a regular mouthpiece (FT – Fishtail). Peterson is one of the best-selling pipe brands worldwide. Made in Dublin (Ireland) since 1865, Peterson pipes are known for their patented “Peterson System”, that features a deep reservoir, which cools down and softens the smoke. Moreover, some models have a special stem, that directs smoke towards the palate (instead of having it coming out facing the tongue).
Shortly thereafter, a Latvian immigrant, Charles Peterson, strolled into the Kapp workshop and declared that he could make better pipes than they could. They vary in price from the Ebony and Ivory at around $300 and up to $1000 for the River, 6 pipe set. The first hallmark on this pipe is what is noted as Hibernia – a seated woman with her arm on a harp. I’d love to regain these to a workable state if possible; they are lovely pipes. The other is an unfortunate Savinelli; the actual wood is broken, right at the connection between pipe body and stem. One is a Peterson 2018 Pipe of the Year, Smooth Fishtail.
This one is a 53 Lovat that has a rich coloured finish with amazing grain around the bowl sides and shank. It also came to us from the estate of Anglican minister that was a great captain black tobacco friend of mine here in Canada. The P-Lip mouthpiece was originally designed by Charles Peterson in 1865. Peterson designed the mouthpiece as part of his Dry System pipe design.
There was also a miniature version of Sherlock Holmes pipes issued around the same time. These were smaller bowled pipes at around two thirds the size of the originals and replicated those shapes. The Peterson brand of pipes are one of the most recognised in the world. They have been manufacturing pipes as a business in Ireland since the 19th century. Today the business is owned and managed by Tom Palmer from their head office at the Sallynoggin factory in Dublin, Ireland.
I was told in no uncertain fashion that I had to adopt a more systematic approach! Otherwise my wife would ‘tidy them’ using her own system. I tailored my approach to our own environment, which involved limited space. After some investigation I decided on a system of storage using a large number of Peterson 12 pipe display cassettes enough to house my burgeoning collection, now around 500 pipes. As an obsessive collector it was inevitable that storing my ever increasing collection of Peterson pipes would prove problematic, especially with my good lady wife!!
This one is an apple shaped pipe that has facets around the bowl and shank. The rim top is flumed as was the style of the 60s and 70s. It came to us from the estate of Anglican minister that was a great friend of mine here in Canada.
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 fittings. Having had the opportunity to see the pipe ‘in the flesh’, I am amazed at the quality, feel, looks and the smoking performance.
They soon made a name for themselves making and selling quality Meerschaum and Briar Root pipes. One day Charles Peterson walked into the Kapp Brothers’ Grafton Street premises armed with a revolutionary tobacco pipe and ambitious plans for the future. Peterson suggested that the brothers go into partnership with him to turn his smoking pipe into the world’s best briar pipe. They agreed and the company was renamed Kapp & Peterson.
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. chacom tobacco 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.