English Estates: Dunhill Shell (52 HU) (1976) Tobacco Pipe

This is an extremely unique piece from Dunhill, not just for its vintage, being made in 1976, but for its stamping: the nomenclature panel displaying its shape code as "52 HU." After 1976, Dunhill's modern four-digit naming style would become the norm, though the "HU" stamping was used to designate the brand's Hungarian shapes, another word for the Oom Paul. Though the "52" may be up for speculation, I'd wager that it's representative of the group size, 5, and stem style, as this piece is fitted to a saddle stem. Said stem joins the stummel at a sharply upturned shank, and its black vulcanite takes on a smart curve at the bit, posing this piece for comfortable jaw-hanging. Up front, the bowl stands on a sweeping heel and boasts an Egg-like shape, with plenty of comfortable rounding to appreciate in the hand and a supple taper to the chamfered rim. Dressed in the White Spot's iconic Shell Briar sandblast, the stummel showcases handsome grain throughout.

The Shell Briar's addition to the Dunhill catalog was a pivotal moment in pipe-smoking history. Before 1917, pipes with sandblasted finishes had never been made, and Alfred Dunhill's innovative mind created arguably the most popular finish for pipes today when he unveiled the Shell Briar. With its dark, reserved color palette and delightful texture, it's no surprise that it's still wildly popular over a century later.