English Estates: Loewe & Co. Original 'Wigton' Smooth Apple (1956-1968) Tobacco Pipe

Loewe & Co. was founded in 1856 at 62 Haymarket in London, the brainchild of a Frenchman named Emil Loewe, who is occasionally credited as having been the first maker of briar pipes in England. Loewe was known for their use of spigot mounts, something which has inspired a slew of collections, though which were originally intended for practical reasons, as they made replacing stems easier. As time marched on, Loewe & Co. was acquired by Civic and later by Cadogan, surviving in modern times as an occasional stamped release from the latter. This Wigton is one of their Apple shapes, and it was crafted between 1956 and 1968, making it a handsome and alluring vintage piece. The transition is wide and gives way to a rather thick shank, leaving plenty of room to drape a digit, with this shank's short length being married to a sleekly tapering stem of black vulcanite. Up front, the bowl boasts ample rounding throughout, its walls offering a Billiard-like height and a wealth of supple contours to appreciate. Dressed in a warm, rich, smooth finish, the stummel showcases handsome grain throughout.