Bekler Sitting Freehand Knurl GBD Meerschaum Pipe

Bekler Sitting Freehand Knurl GBD Meerschaum Pipe - Ismet Bekler pipes are carved from the very best quality 100% solid block meerschaum. For its size, this freehand sitting pipe is extremely lightweight. The flat bottom allows the pipe to securely sit and not topple over. The swirled design became one of Bekler's notable designs. Although it is unsigned, this vintage piece is a rare find and a valued collectible meerschaum pipe.

This unsigned Ismet Bekler pipe was carved in the early 1970s before Bekler was signing his pipes. For a short time before he became known Bekler carved a limited number of pipes for GBD. The stem is made from an original special Amberoid material used on authentic Bekler pipes during those early years. Many pipe collectors believe that a true pre-1980s unsigned Bekler pipe in many cases is actually more valuable than post-1980 pipes due in part to their rarity and difficulty in finding any for sale. The pipe includes a certified signature card from Irving Korn, the original importer, stating that this pipe is a Certified Ismet Bekler Carved Pipe from the early 1970s. It comes in a custom-made velvet-lined fitted case, which is crafted just for this pipe.

Ismet Bekler was a prolific and popular carver when Mr. Irving Korn discovered him in the early 1970s during one of his trips to Turkey. Around 1977, a company named CAO (who at that time was primarily affiliated with Tinder Box pipe shops) contracted with Bekler to sell all of his carvings to them. CAO wanted to make Bekler a more well-known carver in the US, and it was at this time he began signing his pipes. Since CAO wanted more production and higher quantities of his pipes, Bekler stopped doing all the work himself. Although Bekler still did the basic carving, he let others in his workshop do the sanding, waxing, and fitting the bit to the pipes.

Bekler is known as one of the best carvers in the history of Turkish Meerschaum. He passed away in 2018 at the age of 84.

All dimensions are approximate.
Length: 8.5"
Height: 3.6"
Width: 3.4"
Depth: 2.2"
Bowl Dia.: 0.81"