English Estates: Dunhill Tanshell (251) (F/T) (3) (T) (1968) Tobacco Pipe

Crafted in 1968, this "251" Billiard from Dunhill boasts a pert, upright bowl that stands at the fore of a sleek stretch of shank and stem. As one might expect from the English marque, the proportions here are well-balanced and precisely rendered, with the bowl, shank, and stem all visually aligned within the composition. Presented in Group 3 size, this piece is dressed in the crisp Tanshell finish, which unveils some lively grain across the flanks of the bowl.

Created in 1951, the Tanshell marked Dunhill's fourth finish behind the Bruyere (1910), Shell Briar (1917), and Root Briar (1931); however, Dunhill didn't complete the "Tanshell" stamp until December 1951, waiting until 1952 to actually introduce the first Tanshell pipes. Considered one of the English marque's rarest, most collectible finishes, the Tanshell boasts a concise sandblast but unlike the dark-stained Shell Briar, the Tanshell is naturally stained, intended to develop a warm patina as it darkens with prolonged use over time.