American Estates: David Huber Smooth Magnum Rhodesian (1921) (2021) Tobacco Pipe

David Huber's sense of playfulness and irony is obvious here, as this Freehand is no more a Rhodesian than it is a Magnum, reminiscent of his similarly ironic Mini-Magnum in a similar shape. The extraordinarily wide and flaring shank is particularly non-Rhodesiany, its end a broad dome of birdseye matching that of the generous rim. Each also shares a crisp ridgeline demarcating the shift from taper to dome.

In profile, this piece has an attractive angularity that reminds me of the the Fish shape, though obviously in a much different style. The single expansion ring at the base of the stem introduces the minimalist mouthpiece, which rises dramatically upward to hang from the teeth in such a way as to maintain a horizontal attitude for the bowl when smoking, and the contrast stain impressively showcases an array of vertical grain to satisfy the most demanding of collectors.