1985 Ashton SXX Pebble Grain Canadian Pipe *Special Grain* Bill Taylor handmade

Description

R.D. Field Ashton 1985, SXX Pebble Grain Canadian Pipe *Special Grain*, Bill Taylor handmade.
It is with great sadness, and true dense of loss that we, the pipe collecting community have lost another great pipe maker. William Ashton Taylor has passed away September, 2009.
I am listing a unique pipe from the world renowned R.D. Field Ashton pipe collection.
David Field was the original importer/distributor/partner with William Ashton Taylor who was a former master pipe carver for Alfred Dunhill, LTD. Since the beginning of their relationship, David culled several pipes from Bill Taylor's production each and every year in order to keep representative examples of the brand as it progressed and/or changed from year to year.
What began in 1983 ended in 2002. This fantastic and extensive collection spans all these years, and consists of 213 special and highly coveted pipes.
Taken as a collection, this represents a both a serious and important opportunity for the advanced collector of Aston pipes, English high grade pipes, and pipes in general! This is the modern day equivalent of having the opportunity to own Alfred Dunhill's very own pipes that he had culled from the very first years of his company's production!
This pipe have been in storage from day one and have not seen the light of day after production. This pipe remains in its pristine, brand new, and unsmoked condition.
THIS PARTICULAR EXAMPLE POSSESSES A DEEP, CRAGGY, GNARLY, AND CRISP SANDBLASTING THAT IS REMINISCENT OF DUNHILL'S BEST SANDBLASTS OF THE 1920'S & 1930'S! THE BLAST IS AMAZING!
THIS IS A MIXED GRAIN PIPE AND THE SANDBLASTED EFFECT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING ON THIS ONE! DAVE FIELD LOVED THE OLD STYLE DUNHILL SANDBLASTS AND ONE CAN EASILY SEE THAT LOVE IN THIS PARTICULAR PIPE! THIS AMAZING PIPE MUST BE SEEN "IN PERSON" TO BE TRULY BELIEVED!
You are bidding on an
UNSMOKED & BRAND NEW CONDITION
Ashton "Brindle" series  rich dark chocolate brown stained sandblasted  finish "SXX" (Special Grain) size graded, "Billiard" shaped pipe, that was handcrafted by Bill Taylor.
This pipe was crafted in 1985. The stem was crafted from rod stock two tone Cumberland vulcanite. Please note that this pipe highlighted on the R. D. Field Ashton website.
This is the ONLY pipe in the R.D. Filed collection that is marked as a "Special Grain".
When you receive this pipe, take a moment or two to savor the wonderful rich, heady aroma of the inside of the bowl. It is a combination of the last vestiges of the oil that was used in curing the bowl along with the residual scent of the leather pipe bag in which this pipe has been ensconced in for all of its life. You will be in for a real treat that is seldom encountered!
This is pipe number 18 out of the series of 213 pipes. The deep sandblasting of the bowl is incredibly beautiful and rarely encountered, especially in contemporary pipes. Look at the photos! This "Special Grain" blast is amazing!
I am of the opinion that these first decade Ashton pipes represented the very best of Bill Taylor's work. He had left his former employ at Dunhill and started competing directly with them. He wanted to prove that he was capable of crafting a superior pipe than Dunhill's strict standards. He attacked his muse with a passion!
From personal experience, I can tell you that this first decade of Ashton pipes are amazingly well crafted. More time, caring, and attention to detail was lavished on each pipe. Bill was putting his name on the pipe and he wanted to prove his ability as the finest craftsman of traditionally shaped pipes in England.
This first decade series represents the passion of of a talented and highly experienced, classically trained pipe maker of English pipes, turning out some of the very best hand crafted briars that were ever produced in the United Kingdom!
Who knows if there will ever be another traditional English pipe maker to craft pipes on the level of the first decade of Ashtons? These first years Ashtons will never be repeated. These are the very first pipes that Dave Field had started adding to his collection.
I'm telling you - these Ashtons are on an entirely different level than not only the the later Ashtons, but all pipe being crafted in England.
This pipe is a valuable part of Ashton history!
This special pipe will never be repeated again. I can assure you that if you add this early Ashton pipe to your collection, not only will you own an extremely well made pipe, but also a piece of pipe history.
Investing in one of these early Ashton pipes that come from the R.D. Field (Remember that Dave Field was the original Ashton importer who in essence gave Bill Taylor the audience and customer base for his pipes.) pipe collection is analogous to investing in the earliest Dunhill pipes that were owned by Alfred Dunhill himself. Think about that.
You have printable provenance from both Dave Field's Ashton site, as well as this listing. Due to the global demand for these early Ashton pipes from this special collection, you will have to pay more than for other Ashton pipes, but these special Ashton pipes are like no other!
Here are the dimensions :
The overall length is about 5.75”.
The bowl height is 1.875".
The tobacco chamber is 0.80" in diameter and tapers down the bowl's 1.80" inner depth. Capacity and overall size is similar to that of a Group 6 to ODA size Dunhill pipe.
This classic and rustic English hand crafted pipe weighs 35 grams.
The original black leather Ashton pipe bag is included.
WORLDWIDE DELIVERY WITH DHL.
I strongly recommend
that you read and study the information contained in the two links below, so that you not only have an appreciation of Ashton pipes, but an appreciation for the substance and specialness of this unique and extremely important Ashton pipe collection.
1.) The Ashton Pipe story:
Click here!
http://web.archive.org/web/20151205114707/http://www.rdfield.com/Articles/The%20Ashton%20Pipe%20Story.htm
2.) The R.D. Field Ashton Pipe Collection:
Click here!
http://web.archive.org/web/20181017105000/http://www.rdfield.com:80/Ashton/the_ashton_collection.htm
Thank you!