Vintage Old Stock Rare Shape Marxman Imported Briar Pipe from 40’s. The shape is the Straight Shape Round Taper Stem from the Marxman shape chart. The pipe has been reamed, cleaned, draft redrilled and polished bowl and pipe.

DIMENSIONS: 7.45”L x 14/16”ID x 1 6/8”W x 1 8/8”T

STAMPINGS: Marxman over Imported Briar left side shank.

ONE OF THE NICEST AND LARGEST MARXMAN I HAVE SEEN.

Marxman (Marxman Pipe Company) was created by Robert (Bob) L. Marx in 1934, when he was 29, and after he had worked for the William Demuth Company. His pipes were not outstanding because of the quality of their wood (probably Algerian), but Bob started making unique sculpted pieces, which brought the brand fame in the World of Hollywood cinema. Actors like Zachery Scott, Dennis Morgan, Jack Carson, Alan Hale, Joel McRae, and Ronald Reagan were some of the faces that appeared on the bowls.

"Relax with a Marxman Ad, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Courtesy Doug Valitchka
1946 Ad, Courtesy Doug Valitchka
A nice example, courtesy Fae Simmons (Tobacco Treasures)
Another 1946 Ad, courtesy Doug Valitchka

Bob new how to innovate and took full advantage of marketing and press advertising in order to sell the brand--one of his slogans being "Relax with a Marxman".

Bing Crosby smoked Mastercraft pipes and can be seen in their magazine ads.

Ad from 1945, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Ad from 1946, courtesy Doug Valitchka
Early "Hand Made" line Mastercraft Pipe, and original packaging, courtesy Todd Bannard (The Sasquatch)
Old Mastercraft Use and Care Booklet, courtesy Todd Bannard (The Sasquatch)

The following information comes from a posting made by "Ted" -- the former Exec VP of Grabow/Mastercraft [1]

It doesn't appear it was ever a manufacturer and bought pipes from multiple factories -- mostly French and English. It survived briefly the post war recovery and then was acquired by Grabow.

The following is quoted from the thread: First a confession. From 1974 till 1984 I had several positions with Mastercraft including Executive Vice President. I also worked for Grabow From 66 till 74 and from 84 till I retired in 91. In 91 , with retirement, I was President and COO for the corporation that was called "Sparta Industries". I have seen both sides of the "fence", and even though I never left the "employ" of Grabow, My loyalties for 10 years were with M/C.

United States Tobacco(UST)(Skoal and Copenhagen) bought Grabow in 69' from the Lavietes family. In 74' they bought M/C from Bernard Hochstein and moved it into the EXACT facility Grabow occupied. I was named "operations manager" and we were in the basement of a 4 story building in Sparta, NC.

SHIPPING ALWAYS COMBINED

 

BUY 3 PIPES AT THE SAME TIME AND SHIPPING IS FREE

 

INTERNATIONAL COLLECTORS MUST USE EBAY GLOBAL SHIPPING