Dunhill Root Briar Prince with Silver (DR**) (2024) (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Dunhill's Dead Root designation is reserved for Root Briar pipes that exhibit truly exceptional grain, far surpassing the marque's usual — already high — standards. Such pieces are exceedingly rare, making them especially coveted among collectors. This Prince is every bit worthy of that distinction and of the prestigious star stamps it bears. Striking swaths of flame grain wrap elegantly around the bowl's squat frame, while dense birdseye enlivens the rim and heel. The shape itself is sleek, well-balanced, and rests comfortably in the hand, featuring a real silver accent along the junction.

Dunhill's "DR" designation on certain Root Briars signifies a special class of pipes: Dead Root. Like all Root Briars, these pieces maintain flawless briar, but with especially choice grain on display. Before the Root Briar line's introduction in 1931, "DR" was stamped on Bruyere pipes that showed handsome grain, but Dunhill wanted a more grain-defining finish, leading to the creation of the Root Briar. Starting in 1979, The White Spot extended the grade further — replacing the letter grading system with stars, increasing in prestige from one to seven. A Dead Root pipe represents the best of Dunhill's standard selection, yet remains quite rare compared to the English marque's overall lineup.