English Estates: Dunhill Red Bark (599) (F/T) (4) (R/B) (1972) Tobacco Pipe

This "599" Stack dates back to a time before Dunhill introduced their four-digit naming convention, coming to us from 1972. The Group size of this pipe is 4, indicated by a "4" stamped inside a circle. The Stack design is quite similar to that of Dunhill's Billiard, just with an elongated bowl and a shank that retains its more trim proportions. A protracted stem of tapering black vulcanite complements the vibrant crimson stain of the White Spot's Red Bark sandblast, a precursor to the Ruby Bark: This pipe is especially noteworthy for being made the same year that the Red Bark finish was introduced.

Dunhill's Ruby Bark finish is one that's gone through a fairly extensive evolution since its inception in 1972. It began as the Redbark and has always remained a red-stained sandblast, but the color was brightened a few years after its introduction before Dunhill returned to the original, darker hue in 1976. Eventually, though, the Redbark was discontinued in 1987. After a hiatus of several decades, the same ruby-stained sandblast was reimagined in the form of today's Ruby Bark finish, adding to the rich aesthetic crisp accents of sterling silver for a colorful presentation that still retains a high level of formality.