First & foremost, may I toot my own horn for a moment? Not long after the Chicago pipe show earlier this year, I received sad and surprising news that the great Luigi Viprati had passed away. I say surprised as I had just hung out with him and shook his hand at the show, which I did every year he was there. Viprati and I had a somewhat "strange" connection in that he didn't speak a lick of English and my Italian is confined to the small amount of Spanish I speak being they have some similarities in their Latin origins, but we could understand each other somehow. We'd "talk" and he'd smile as I picked up one of his prized pieces and commented on the grain, shape, size etc. So again I was a bit shocked when I heard he had passed as he looked great when I saw him. Fast forward a few months and I reached out to my other friend Maurizio Fraternale who owns Ser Jacopo and also distributes Viprati & Caminetto pipes and asked him if Luigi had made more pipes before he passed and he told me there was a final "grouping" that the family of Viprati had not yet decided what they wanted to do with. This is understandable as these are now extremely special pipes being the last he ever made! I said I understood and then in early October I get an email from Maurizio saying the family had decided to let me sell the last pipes Viprati ever made, and I have to say in all my years of selling pipes, this was one of my most proudest moments. I am extraordinarily honored to say the least, as I know the family could have chosen anyone on the planet including multiple Italian retailers they are close with, but they chose me!! Anyhow, I am sure you can tell how excited I am about this, though it's bitter sweet of course. If you're a GIANT Luigi Viprati fan like me, or just appreciate super fine truly hand made gorgeous pipes that smoke even better than they look, please watch my auctions in the coming months as I will be listing these final pipes to find good homes, and I wish you all the best and good luck in obtaining one of the last Viprati's ever made!
Look at that shape, classic! This pipe makes me a little sad as it was definitely the last one he ever made like this. But his spirit lives on and this puppy was chosen by yours truly as it stuck out to me as another one of the finest Luigi made in his final grouping and just everything about it sings to me. Anyhow, have you ever been "star struck"? As in, when you see a famous person, you kind of freeze up in shock a bit? I personally do not get "star struck" and have run into celebrities in elevators while on trips to Las Vegas, even the now late Chuck Norris one time! But, for whatever reason, when I met Luigi Viprati in Chicago for the first time, it was humbling! I consider him one of the all-time greats, a legend, a master of his craft, and simply unequaled. I got to shake the man's hand on numerous occasions, always a special moment. This Poker shows his prolific style well, a cool shape indeed and at only 32g would make for a perfect clencher. It feels awesome in hand too though with super thick walls, smooth rim and a deep chamber providing plenty of capacity. The heel is wide and flat of course making for a perfect setter while to the rear a crisp transition to a round shank that extends to meet the acrylic saddle marble looking stem with downturned fishtail bit and signature inlaid silver logo. Finish is a rich amber/butterscotch while the rustication is fantastic showing immense attention to detail and looks like tree bark! Unsmoked and comes complete with box and glove, another special one from the late great Viprati!
Nomenclature: L.VIPRATI, HAND MADE ITALY
Dimensions (approximate): 4 1/2" Long, 1 3/4" Tall, 20mm Chamber Width, 1 3/8" Chamber Depth
Condition: New/Unsmoked!
Weight: 32g
Filter: None
**I buy individual pipes or entire collections, please reach out for details!
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I aim to offer the best selection of pipes covering all makes and grades, truly something for every smoker and collector! All of my pipes I personally restore, sanitize, and ready them to smoke upon arrival at your doorstep! I take the utmost care in my restoration methods to ensure the pipe is as close to its original state as possible and never compromise. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy bringing them back to life!
Shipping:
Domestic is $12 via USPS Priority.
International: If you are registered with the Global Shipping Program, the cost for pipes under $500 in value is $10 to ship to eBay's shipping center and then the customs fees/tariffs are calculated there and up to the buyer if they are charged up front or on the back end once processed. Due to an almost 25% increase for Express and Priority Shipping, I am switching back to First Class for $25 moving forward to all international destinations. Express or Priority is available upon request, as is insurance. Any lost parcels will be refunded upon insurance payout.
Restoration Methods: I have been restoring pipes for 17 years and have taken bits and pieces from many guys whom I consider the best there ever was in the business and built upon it with my own experience and tricks of the trade. Each pipe is first cleaned by removing all cake, making the chamber smooth and round again if necessary, removing all gunk in the shank and stem with alcohol, then exterior cleaning and polishing of the stummel and stem with no oxidation left but at the same time leaving the vulcanite or acrylic and any logos intact. My restorations end with the pipe looking like new and being completely free from previous signs of use. I do not use salt/alcohol treatments in my bowls but rather if the pipe smells of prior tobacco I will put it in my ozone chamber to make neutral. Lastly, many guys ask me "how are your pipes so shiny!!??" I lightly use the fluffy edge of my white diamond buffing wheel to clean and restore stummels which removes all grime and oils while restoring the original factory luster. I then hand buff and finish with a flannel wheel with high quality carnauba applying multiple coats as they do at the factory as well. This results in the pipe looking as new and will keep it's finish with a simple terry cloth hand buffing at home. Enjoy!
-Deadmanspipes