Pipe brands § 4

Peterson

History

The firm Kapp & Peterson Ltd. was founded in 1875 by pipemaker Charles Peterson. The factory was located from 1878 onwards in Grafton Street in Dublin, Ireland.

In 1890 Peterson invented what became known as the Peterson system and soon worldwide interest was shown. In the pipeshaft a hollow space was drilled, here the moist was collected. This chamber guaranteed a cool and dry smoke. In 1895 Peterson received for this system two gold medals on the international exhibition for the tobacco trade in London. A few years later, in 1898, the so-called Peterson lip was introduced. Also this invention received a large interest.

During the entire twentieth century the shapes chart of Peterson remained almost unchanged, this fact however did not make the demand decline. Special series with new designs, like the streamlined shapes from the 1930's could not compete with the classical shapes from Charles Peterson. Even today these shapes are in high demand and form the main part of the assortment.

At present the factory can be found about twelve kilometres in the south of Dublin in a modern industrial area. In an industry hall the pre-turned bowls imported from Spain are transformed into pipes. All of them reaching the high standard and are thereafter shipped all over the world.

Characteristics

The main characteristics of the Peterson pipes are a classical shape combined with craftmenship and a perfect finish. The look of the Peterson pipe is extremely classic. The factory produces about one hundred different shapes, most of them being popular for over a few generations. Well known is the Bent Army. The Danish firm Nörding imitates this shape, but also Savinelli and Big-Ben produce pipes that closely approach the style of Peterson.

Next to briar also meerschaum is used. Sinces 1982 Peterson obtained its meerschaum from Turkey, being more porous and better absorbing than the African meerschaum. In Ireland these pipes are mounted with silver bands. Recently also the Sherlock Holmes series became available in meerschaum.

Peterson also issued special editions like the pipe honouring Mark Twain, in fact a reproduction of the authors most favorite pipe shape. Better known are the series of seven pipes from the Sherlock Holmes series. Here the shape names refer to the famous writer, like Baskerville, Baker Street, Watson etcetera. These larger shaped products are especially popular among smokers preferring a larger pipe.

The Smokiana pipeshop selection

Smokiana pipeshop in Amsterdam carries almost the complete assortment of shapes from Peterson. Among them we find the larger shapes as well as the smaller, with a nickel, silver or gilt silver band. Next to these we also offer some special shapes and limited editions, coming straight from Ireland and often scarecely available on the European continent. The prices run from 60 Euros for the simple shapes till over 300 Euros for the most luxourious spigeot silver mountings.