Peterson: Sherlock Holmes Rua Spigot Original (CP) P-Lip Tobacco Pipe

The first pipe released in Peterson's commemorative Sherlock Holmes collection, the Original pays tribute to the famed work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Fittingly, the Irish marque chose their signature "05" Bell/Calabash shape, increasing the proportions for an even bolder, more striking example of Peterson's iconic muscular aesthetic. In Doyle's stories and the several illustrations therein, Holmes is almost always depicted smoking a straight pipe, yet the Calabash design is associated with the character above all others thanks to William Gillette. Gillette portrayed Sherlock in a number of plays throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but found that a straight pipe hindered his ability to deliver lines clearly, the pipe always jostling up and down. Switching to a bent pipe, then, Gillette both solved this problem and defined the style of pipe Holmes' portrayers would smoke for years to come. Peterson's Original celebrates that tradition with its curvaceous, sweeping form full of heartiness and packed with a deep chamber.

Inspired by the madra rua, "red fox," of traditional Irish tales, Peterson's Rua series presents pipes in a crimson-and-black, contrast-stained sandblast. Finished under the direction of Giacomo Penzo, Peterson's Pipe Specialist and a celebrated artisan pipe maker in his own right, the Rua is the Irish marque's first contrast-stained sandblast, and it's also among the first from any pipe factory — the special finish almost exclusively seen across handmade artisan pipes. The finish debuted in 2021, and for 2022, Peterson released its iconic Sherlock Holmes shapes in the dual-toned application. A contrast finish incorporates two different stain colors, and the labor-intensive, time-consuming process involves staining a pipe one color, sanding down or sandblasting the stummel, and then applying the second stain, with adequate time spent in between to allow each stain to fully settle into the briar. The end result is a rich, two-toned motif that highlights the briar's vertical grain in dramatic contrast, while the sandblast reveals dense growth rings. Moreover, this Sherlock Holmes Rua Spigot pipe is elevated by the Charles Peterson Collection designation: Indicated by a "CP" stamp, Charles Peterson Collection pipes are special, small-run releases that highlight innovation in design and technique to honor Charles Peterson's pioneering spirit and influence on pipe making at large. Exclusive to Smokingpipes, Peterson's Sherlock Holmes Rua pipes capture an unparalleled aesthetic across the marque's portfolio, bespeaking a deep commitment to quality craftsmanship. They're amplified further by crisp, artisan-style sandblasts and sterling silver spigot mounts, combining traditional Peterson shaping and silverwork with modern finishing techniques to enhance the marque's historic pipe-making legacy.