Mark Twain. An Irish American Beauty.
This is one Peterson I thought I would never own. Named after the American author, the father of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, this pipe was mainly made for the American market. Occasionally they are to be found for sale on E-bay, which is where I found this one.
It is from the 1983-84 series, the hallmarking dates it to 1984. This was the last series produced. Basically a system pipe with a spigot stem, this pipe is decorated with a broad silver cap over the stem.The band is marked “Peterson” over “Sterling Silver” and holds the usual hallmarks.
The bowl is stamped “Peterson’s” over “Mark Twain” on the port side and “Made in the Republic of Ireland” on the starboard. This pipe can hardly be described as having a straight grain but it does have some beautiful markings and considerable bird’s eye. The bowl measures Ø 22 mm by 37 mm deep.
This is probably one of the best smoking pipes I have ever owned. I paid a good price for it, $100.oo, and have never regretted it. If I ever get the chance to purchase a second, I will.
Here is a pipe I can get behind. I have also been waiting for the stars to align and have a Twain pipe become available when I have a few dollars to burn…someday.
Oh Oh, pipe envy. I am going to go pour another cup of coffee.
Jim
That is one beautiful pipe, I have one of my own just like it. I also have a rusticated model, each stamped Peterson Mark Twain Made in Ireland (not Republic of Ireland). Both are great smokers, especially when contemplating today’s affairs, or family affairs for that matter. Thanks for sharing, Bill
Hi Bill,
I checked again and mine is definitely marked “Made in the Republic of Ireland”. I have heard that Petersons sometimes get their stampings confused. You may have something unique there. Or have I?
Oh no.. more research…!
Exile.
Just me again about the dating on our Peterson Mark Twain pipes. I emailed Peterson about the “MADE IN IRELAND” stamp, normally thought to be on pipes pre-1949. According to “Angela ‘ at Peterson’s, the stamp has been used after 1949, especially on the ever popular Mark Twain Series. My hallmarking dates my smooth in 1994, and my rustic in 1998, believe it or not. I also asked if that meant that the entire pipe was made in those years or the bowls being leftover from pre-1949 and just assembled in 1994-98 with the hallmarking. She said that was a possibility, because the records of manufacturing the bowls, in Angela’s words , “are incomplete and I have no further information on this matter”. So on with the mystery! I hope this helps, now on to a Mark Twain rustic filled with either Erinmore, or Gormrmet English. Thanks and take care.
Bill
Hi Bill. Thanks for this and, once again, I’m confused. I understood that the Mark Twain final series was made in 1983-84. You are now telling me that a further series was run off in the middle 1990’s.
This plot is, indeed, thickening.
Exile.
Not intending to beat a dead(?) horse, but this is confusing to me too. I did a little more research and found an article on the net on the site Petersonpipesproject (?). One in 2007 said just what you mentioned last production series 1983-84, but had info sent by others with the hallmark dating 1998 for a Mark Twain. I’m smoking my smooth (1994) now and under scrutiny see 6 small pit fills on the left side, no others. Maybe this was put to the side long ago, found while cleaning an area and bingo, put together and sold, easy because of popularity of the series? I guess we (or at least I) will never know the real history, even Petersons cannot tell me, but it , and the rustic, will continue to be favorites of mine . Thanks and take care,
Bill
A thought just struck me; maybe they were commissioned? If I ever get to the bottom of this, I’ll blog it up.
Exile