This large curved tobacco pipe boasts a generous Billiard bowl with very straight sides, combining elegance and stature.
It pays tribute to Basil Rathbone, one of the earliest actors to portray Sherlock Holmes on screen.
His profile is used on the box, and stamped on the hallmarked sterling silver band.
This is an intriguing pipe.
In one way it can look as if a textured rough cover has been fitted over part of the bowl.
There is even a fine ridge along the edge of the covered section.
But what has actually happened is that the whole pipe was sandblasted, with the front panel and the sides of the shank carefully polished removing the surface sandblasting in order to display the lovely grain.
The careful Free Styling between the smooth and the sandblasted areas warrant the Autograph status.
Described as a bent billiard, this pipe has a slightly wider bowl, almost a pot. Most striking is the smooth bevelled rim which confirms the quality of the briar. And the usual smooth briar extension of the shank is straight grain. What a beautiful pipe.
Included is a briar/brass tamper and a rich navy velveteen carry pouch.
The pipe is unsmoked, but the original box was lost along the way.
A variation of Savinelli’s classic Author model 320, with a saddle stem. This time the briar insert is part of the curved saddle mouthpiece. The smooth briar lightens the pipe design, giving it an unexpected harmony for such a massive pipe.