American Estates: E. Wilke Smooth Bent Billiard Tobacco Pipe

Edwin Wilke founded his namesake tobacconist in 1872, which was located for decades in downtown Manhattan. Alongside selling their signature tobacco blends, Wilke Tobacco sold pipes under the name E. Wilke, priding themselves on only making pipes from high-quality briar and dressing them in virgin finishes. This bent Billiard is a deeply curved take on the shape that's reminiscent of the Oom Paul in its stance and stature, though it comes in at just a touch over five inches long. This Nosewarmer-adjacent pipe features a tight transition and a thick shank that lifts to meet a sleek and smartly downturned saddle stem of black vulcanite: poising this pipe for comfortable smoking. Up front, the bowl cants forward and grows thick, robust walls with some subtle curvature that rise to a domed rim, one which overlooks a capacious chamber. Dressed in a warm, deep stain, the stummel showcases some handsome grain and a timeless palette.