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You are bidding on a superb pre-smoked Made By Hand no grade stamp but 1st "High Grade" pipe, made early 1980's joined Barry Jones and Kenneth Barnes, weights just 30 grams, in excellent condition it's almost like a new pipe by

A brief History of James Upshall Pipes & Co

All pipes are individually created by a team of highly skilled artisans, headed by Mr. Barry Jones , who is widely regarded as one of the best pipe carvers in the world, with more than 40 years experience in pipe making.

Mr. Jones learned his skill from the age of 15 in London and was personally guided by Mr. Charatan of Charatan Pipe Co., pipe makers to royalty since 1863. For years he was responsible for creating the majority of the famous Charatan shapes and the high standard of quality.

In 1978 , Barry Jones joined Colonel Kenneth Barnes , then Charatans' managing director, who started his own Pipe Company in Tilshead, Wiltshire, making the Tilshead and James Upshall premium class pipe, which took it's name from the Colonel's ancestry, one James Archimedes Upshall, an ardent pipe smoker, who loved quality and perfection.

Pipe expert, Mr. Richard Carlton Hacker, author of "The Ultimate Pipe Book" has stated that, "Barry has an almost uncanny knack of finding the best concentration of grain. His Upshall pipes are so distinctive you can immediately spot them in any pipe rack". It's this grain pattern and quality that collectors prize so highly.

The current owner of the brand is Mr. Mordechai Ezrati

Grading & Size

The grading system is subject in 4 categories:

1. It begins with the Tilshead pipe , which smokes every bit as good as the James Upshall but has a slight imperfection in the briar. In the same category price wish you will find the James Upshall Bark and Sandblast finish pipes, which fill and smoke as good as the high grades.

2. This category is the best "root quality" which means that the grain is either cross, flame or straight, which is very much apparent through the transparent differing colour finishes. This group will qualify as the "S" - Mahogany Red, "A" - Chestnut Tan and "P" - Walnut. The latter having the straighter grain

3. This category is only straight grain, high grade pipes, which run from the "B" , "G", "E", "X" and "XX". The latter will be the supreme high grade. Considering the straightness of the grain the latter category is also the rarest. Usually no more than 1% of the production will qualify.

4. Lastly, there is the category called the Empire Series . These are basically Limited Edition gigantic individually hand crafted pieces, which again are extremely rare due to the scarcity of large, superior briar blocks.

In addition, the price varies according to group size ie from 3-4-5-6 cm high approximately Extra Large and also it has the Empire Series which are basically the giant size.

Please note:

That this pipe is a early Start James Upshall Pipe Co. is evidenced by the direct information kindly given me by the current owner of the mark and I quote Mr. Mordechai Ezrati

“I confirm that the James Upshall you sent jpegs of is definitely a 1st - High Grade made in the early 80's - shown by the JU being stamped on the side of the mouthpiece.
I think the grade would be A but the stamp has either been buffed away or omitted.
A very nice pipe. Speak soon. All the best, Moty”

1st High Grade early 1980's

no reserve

JAMES UPSHALL

Made By Hand

Tilshead, England

1/16 large tapered bent freehand chimney shaped

Flame Grain

Please see the pictures for dimensions and details

SUPERB SMOOTH FINISHING, FLAME GRAIN, WAX CARNAUBA, 1/16 LARGE TAPERED BENT FREEHAND CHIMNEY SHAPED, ROUND SHANK, EBONITE MOUTHPIECE with fitted "JU" into an oval (first logo), 1/16 BENT TAPER

without pouch and box

STAMPED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SHANK IS:

JAMES UPSHALL

(all-block capital letters ...

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