{As far as value and cost is concerned, for the excellent quality finish, these are competitively priced at around $135 to $250 depending on size and briar grade. Made in Dublin (Ireland) since 1865, Peterson pipes are known for their patented "Peterson System", that features a deep reservoir, which cools down and softens the smoke. Moreover, some models have a special stem, that directs smoke towards the palate (instead of having it coming out facing the tongue).|In less than year the New Peterson System had begun its journey to revolutions the way pipes where manufactured and smoked. In 1905 The new style of pipe wins Gold and Silver medals at the Brewing and Allied trades show. In 1910 the brand goes international partnering up with European distributor Wellauer AG in Switzerland. In the 1950's Peterson expands into its own Pipe Tobacco Blends it is called Peterson Mixture. This is the final piece in the puzzle and the brand has continued to expand and progress even with further innovation in today's anti Tobacco climate.|The second issue was called 'The Return of' and was based on the success of 'the Original', with seven additional new shapes and dedicated wooden rack being created. All similar to the first issue, with XL bowl sizes and similar sterling silver bands with the SH stamp. Peterson pipes is one of the premier company’s and has been since 1865. The traditional and well renowned brand has the unique blend of innovation and ability to hold on to the virtues of the original craftsmanship of pipe making.} {Again this was a time of great change for the brand, the company having changed ownership on several ocassions. However it was also one of great creativity, with the introduction of several commemorative series and some new literary character series of pipes that would leave a very lasting impression on the pipe smoking fraternity. The pre-republic Peterson's are often considered to be rather special by Peterson pipe smokers.They hark back to a time when quality briar was in abundance and craftsmanship was of the highest level. Like all collecting desirables, pre-republic pipes are now relatively hard to come by, with availability declining with each passing year.|It was first issued to honour Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous fictitious detective character, Sherlock Holmes. Holmes is perhaps the most famous pipe smoking character in fiction. There are many Peterson pipes with sterling silver bands that do not have hallmarks though, even some in the Premier and Deluxe grades. There was also a miniature version of Sherlock Holmes pipes issued around the same time. These were smaller bowled pipes at around two thirds the size of the originals and replicated those shapes.|The idea behind this is; the smoke leaving the smaller diameter and entering the larger diameter will expand and slow down, thus dropping more moisture before entering your mouth. To some people the cleaning of system pipes can appear to be problematic, in fact they are in most cases easy to clean. A pipe cleaner dipped in alcohol will do a fine job of removing any dried tobacco juices in the mouthpiece or shank. If there is any difficulty with the pipe cleaner accessing the narrow Plip, I would suggest using the finer narrow pipe cleaners made by Falcon, which are still widely available. The sump pit on a system pipe can be cleaned with a QTip swab or piece of rolled up paper towel, likewise preferably dipped in alcohol before use.} {The business was then inherited by their 10 and 12 year old sons and was renamed Kapp Brothers after executors were appointed. Charles Peterson by then was the lead craftsman and managed the business on behalf of Fredrick and his wife's executors until the boys came of age. When the Kapp brothers did eventually come of age, Alfred Kapp and Charles Peterson bought out Christian's shareholding and renamed the business Kapp & Peterson. Peterson pipes are beautiful and carved for both aesthetics and immense smoking pleasure for both the experienced pipe smoker and the beginner. The Peterson classic shapes come in a wide range of finishes; Aran, Dublin Filter, Irish Army Mount, Kilarney and many more.|Frederick hired this man, who from then on specialized in making bespoke pipes. He continued to develop the pipes he made and applied for numerous patents, which were even awarded industry prizes. After Peterson died in 1919, the descendants of the Kapps remained company owners for the next several decades.|I have found that there is a clear dichotomy of opinion on the views of pipe smokers on the Rosslare series, they either 'love 'em or loath them'. Some find the orange/yellow Acrylic stem 'a bit over the top'. In 1979 and 1980 Peterson commenced production of the Mark Twain gold banded numbered limited edition, numbered 1 through to 400. The pipe proved to be so popular that the number was quietly increased to 1000. The issue was such a great success and prompted further production of more pipes in 1981 to satisfy demand, with the Mark Twain second numbered silver banded edition, numbered 1 through to 1000, each in special presentation boxes.} {This characterizes the company, which continues to make the same models. The Fishtail mouthpiece design is the standard design for most pipes. The external shape of a fishtail mouthpiece is primarily cosmetic, but it does assist in retention of the pipe if it is being held solely by the lips or teeth. The opening in fishtail mouthpieces is available in several sizes in order for the smoker to have options as to how much smoke they can get with each draw. The Peterson Pipe legend began in 1865 when the Kapp brothers of Nurnberg opened an elegant tobacconist shop on Grafton Street, Dublin.|With Ireland's joining of the European Community in 1973, a fourth miniature hallmark representation of the Celtic Glenisheen collar was added to the right of the date stamp for that year, hallmark letter F. In 1899, Peterson opened the first in a series of several successive shops in London, England, that lasted until the late 1960s/70s. The Kapp brothers, George and Frederick originally emigrated to Great Britain from Nuremburg in Bavaria. They first appear in the London trade directories in 1866, when they are listed as Meerschaum pipe makers of 98 Dean Street, Soho, London. They then parted company in 1869 and established their own pipe shops independently of each other.|I have managed to source three others, Red, Ebony and Sandblast. These large hand made pipes normally retail for around $200 $ 400 depending on shape and finish. Varying from Smooth, Sandblast and Rustic finishes and Straight Billiard and Bent shapes. The Grafton is rated by Peterson as one of their Higher Grades along with the Royal Irish and the Rosslare Royal Irish. I would also place it along with that other higher grade rarity the Celtic series.} {The pipes are equipped with the Peterson system, a second hole in the shank leading to a reservoir to collect humidity. The P-Lip mouthpiece was originally designed by Charles Peterson in 1865. Peterson designed the mouthpiece as part of his Dry System pipe design. Since 2020 MBSD Ingram LLC, owner of MBSDpipes.com, has been the trusted supplier of smoking tobacco pipe enthusiasts world-wide.|When Tom Palmer bought the Peterson business at the beginning of the nineteen nineties', he adopted the policy of "if it ain't broke don't fix it". Basically sticking wisely to what the business had historically been famous for, good quality, value for money, popular, classic shaped pipes. At the end of the eighties just as the Sherlock Holmes range was being issued, Peterson reintroduced the modern Captain Pete series.|Peterson shared in the 1988 commemoration of Huber’s 125th year in business by producing a special pipe with a sterling rim cap, stamped HUBER over CELEBRATION. With that information in hand I knew what I was dealing with in terms of the stamping and the age of this pipe. I knew from the information that the pipe was made during the Republic Era between 1950 and 1989.}