You are currently viewing 421.  SPECIAL BULLETIN: The 2024 Christmas Pipes Drop Tuesday the 17th @ 6pm EDT

421. SPECIAL BULLETIN: The 2024 Christmas Pipes Drop Tuesday the 17th @ 6pm EDT

 

The Copper Tops are Back!

Per Andy Wike at SPC: “We’re releasing Peterson’s Christmas 2024 pipes beginning at 6:00pm Eastern Daylight time on Tuesday, September 17.  This year’s edition brings back the copper accents, this time in the form of spigot mounts. We’re pairing that with a number of classic finishes (including Ebony this year!), as well as Cumberland-patterned acrylic stems.”

The 2019 Copper Top XL02 Fat Bottom

For some reason at this time of year I always begin to wonder if there will be a pipe under the Christmas tree for me.  No, that’s wrong.  I begin to wonder what pipe (or maybe pipes) will be under the tree.  I’ve even been known to send Father Christmas a short list—just to get ahead of the rush, of course. I say this because there have been some Epic Fails on my part, like the Fat Bottom XL02 from 2019 seen above.  I cannot begin to tell you how seeing this pipe again has caused the iron to enter my soul: did I not get it for Christmas? did I get it and—surely not—sell it off?!  did I, worse yet, never even order it? *

 

A trio of 2019 Copper Top 304s
(I do like this sharp-edged, gritty rustication)

The Copper Tops are back for Christmas this year, and yes, I can hear all the Pete Geeks singing that famous chorus from Handel’s well-known oratorio, in either its original version or the performance version Mozart created.  Since its debut in 2018, the copper ferrule has become increasingly iconic for the Peterson Christmas commemorative and I caught myself doing one of those long, grateful sighs when I first caught sight of it, having been deprived of it last year.

Mounting marks: Shamrock, Wolf Hound, Round Tower

If you’re fairly new to all this hoopla, let me direct your attention to the great Mount Marks—not hallmarks, of course, but the fabled Shamrock, Wolf Hound, and Round Tower which graced nickel mount Petes from c. 1922—c. 1963.

I have no samples with which to offer you the kind of over-the-top microscopic, spectroscopic, fluoroscopic, stereoscopic analysis regularly disseminated by this blog. I do, however, have a few minor observations to make before letting you proceed to the gallery walk below.  First, remember the drop in Europe occurs Tuesday at 10am Dublin time. Second, be on the lookout for shapes not reported in the official press releases, and if possible, take a snap shot of them for us here on the blog. Finally, the huge number of shapes being made available makes me think there will be relatively few of any one particular style, so if you’ve got a shape and finish you’re hoping for, plan to arrive early at the drop party.   See you there!

GALLERY

Ebony

102

 

230

 

406

 

X220

 

Heritage

01

 

69

 

406

 

701

 

D17

 

X220

 

XL02

 

 

Rustic

01

 

03

 

05

 

68

 

69

 

102

 

221

 

230

 

701

 

999

 

X105

 

X220

 

XL02

 

Sandblast

01

 

05

 

69

 

80s–this is just a placeholder. You can see the 80s Sandblast in the banner photo–

 

 

 

102

 

220

 

221

 

230

 

338

 

701

 

X105

 

XL102

 

Smooth

 

01

 

05

 

69

 

102

 

221

 

230

 

338

 

X220

 

XL02

 

 

Photos of 2024 Christmas Pipes
courtesy Laudisi Enterprises

*If you have this pipe (preferably unsmoked), or know where one is available, please reach out with the particulars to a fellow Pete Geek in dire need of it, viz., me. Act before midnight tonight.

 

 

Life can be so difficult. . .

So you remember when the SH Baskerville Junior Rusticated came out–two years ago? Somehow I missed that one and of course have regretted it ever since, carrying it around like the Ancient Mariner’s Dead Bird. So last year I thought, “Hmm–another one!” It was the Baker Street. Snapped it up. Smokes great (a miracle for me, since I’ve never had any luck with the Baker Street Full Size). And now, the Original Junior appears?!

The 3rd in what will probably be
all seven of the SH Junior rusticated shapes

What makes all this so unfair, of course, is that K&P could have just said three years ago, “Folks, we’re going to release all seven of the SH Juniors, rusticated, at the rate of one per year.”  I mean, I can live with that kind of collection building.  And even afford it. So, my hat’s off to all of you who were wise enough to invest in the Baskerville.  Pardon me, I think I hear the wamulance outside my door–

 

 

IRELAND’S TOBACCO GROWING INDUSTRY

Did you know Ireland grew and harvested tobacco?  I think I mentioned this great short film a few years back, but stumbling on it again, I highly recommend it to all Pete Geeks, not only its great information on Ireland’s own tobacco-growing in the early 20th century, but because we get a glimpse inside one of the great pilgrimage sites all Pete Geeks must aspire to: the oldest pipe & tobacco shop in Ireland, M. Cahill’s.  As said in the film’s opening minutes, however, this is best done with a pipe and either a cup of tea or a stout.

 

 

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Nate Lynn
Nate Lynn
1 month ago

I’m heading to Ireland in November. Looks like I might have to pop on over to Limerick to visit M Cahills.

Last edited 1 month ago by Nate Lynn
John H. Schantz Jr.
John H. Schantz Jr.
1 month ago

I loved that video. Thanks for sharing it.

Chuck P
Chuck P
1 month ago

How does the copper hold up over time?

Martin
Martin
1 month ago
Reply to  Chuck P

Hi Chuck I can tell you my copper flat bottom has a matt tarnish because I use it all the time in the workshop and I don´t polish it. On the other hand I have a Baskerville on my desk and I do polish it from time to time and it look still awesome.

Chuck P
Chuck P
28 days ago
Reply to  Martin

Not much different than a silver spigot then. Thanks for the insight Martin.

Martin
Martin
1 month ago

Very good looking Pipes this year. I think going toward smooth for this Christmas.
A 01 or 05 will do the job.
Thanks for sharing.

John Young
1 month ago

Lovely, Mark. Does anyone else have the overwhelming urge to sand through the black on the sandblasts and reveal some glimpses of brown, kind of like the trio of 304s? You know, just to highlight the Cumberland stem a bit more. Decisions decisions.

Michael Mikropoulos
Michael Mikropoulos
1 month ago

An X220 for sure this year! But smooth or sandblasted? Both look great to me! I did a little test a few days ago. I uploaded two photos of them on fb and asked my friends which one they prefer. So strange the results! Friends from abroad suggest smooth without doubt, while everyone from Greece prefered the sandblasted. Makes me thinking that probably statistically here we prefer sandblasting…

Last edited 1 month ago by Michael Mikropoulos
Tim
Tim
29 days ago

I’d say let the grain decide which one you pick.

Gary Hamilton
Gary Hamilton
1 month ago

The copper mount, and especially with the spigot, looks wonderful on all of the finishes. Then, add in the Cumberland stem and it’s a winner any way you look at it. A nice touch to see the return of the faux mount marks, for this special / limited edition type of offering. I just hope the factory does not go overboard and start using the mount marks on a routine basis on everything “new”. The only negative, albeit a small one (?), is the missed opportunity for the inclusion of a P-Lip stem on the XL02 and having a Christmas… Read more »

Nevaditude
Nevaditude
1 month ago
Reply to  Gary Hamilton

Gary, I agree! I love everything about this, BUT I will NOT be purchasing one as I will not smoke it. Why? I noticed I have stopped smoking all the fishtail pipes & therefore have culled them from the herd,…or school of fish! I get it that Cumberland p-lips are not produced, so no great shock. 🥲 Sigh…THAT copper spigot is wonderful. My hope for a Christmas copper spigot System pipe will be at least another year away. But, these indeed are truly gorgeous!

Last edited 1 month ago by Nevaditude
Eric B
Eric B
29 days ago
Reply to  Nevaditude

I’m with you, my rotation is becoming more and more narrow; I reach for my Deluxe Systems almost exclusively of late.

Walt Moultrie
Walt Moultrie
1 month ago

Excellent work K&P. This is the first Christmas release that has really caught my attention. I especially love the lighter stain used on the smooth finishes this year.

Now if I could put a bug in someone’s ear, I think we need some copper mount system pipes. I think a copper spigot would look especially nice on a barley sandblast, similar to last year’s 125th Anniversary Premiers. Even better with a genuine cumberland P-Lip.

As always, many thanks for the read ahead Mark.

Nevaditude
Nevaditude
1 month ago
Reply to  Walt Moultrie

Preach it brother! Preach it !!!

Tim
Tim
29 days ago
Reply to  Walt Moultrie

Now you’re taking! More copper, please!

Trent
Trent
29 days ago
Reply to  Walt Moultrie

Yes! When the copper mounted Systems come out I’m buying at least three of them!

Tim
Tim
1 month ago

Really excited for these but the shape of that smooth 230 is criminally bad 🙈

Tim
Tim
1 month ago
Reply to  Tim

The 230 sandblast too

Tim
Tim
29 days ago
Reply to  Mark Irwin

Definitely the former. I’ve been saving images of what I think are particularly poor examples of shaping a Peterson pipe. These two get VIP entry info that file folder.

Rob Guttridge
Rob Guttridge
27 days ago
Reply to  Mark Irwin

Looking at the rusticated Christmas 2024 shape 230s on the SPC site just now, it appears that the factory got bowls from two different suppliers. Side-by-side product photos show different profiles.

Trent
Trent
29 days ago
Reply to  Tim

I’ve seen lots of 317’s and a few 12.5’s on SPC that are shaped like this. Very strange.

Tim
Tim
29 days ago
Reply to  Trent

Agreed. Some are exquisite, some are horrendous, and the majority are slightly off.

James
James
1 month ago

These are beautiful, especially the smooths. The only thing they could have done to make them better is add a gold foil “P” Logo to the stems. That would have really finished these off nicely!

Andy Benson
Andy Benson
29 days ago

Great video – Thanks very much!

Jon O
Jon O
29 days ago

I love that they’re bringing back the copper spigot. I didn’t get one last time and regretted it. I like the finishes a lot more this time, especially that smooth.

Jon O
Jon O
29 days ago

The release time says “6:00pm CDT”. They usually do 6pm Eastern Time. Was that a mistake?

D.H. Billings
D.H. Billings
29 days ago

I love my 2019 Christmas 107 and am kicking myself over not getting the 2022 Christmas 107. This year, I’m aiming for a rustic XL02.

Brandon
Brandon
28 days ago

I am genuinely excited about these. 2024 for me has been a year of branching out to Peterson pipes other than systems. I did not see the 87 listed but am hopeful. I acquired a smooth 87 short army mount earlier this year and it smokes like a dream. I’d love one of those. If not, I’d be happy with a rustic 102 or 701…something small and light.

Pavel Verkner
Pavel Verkner
27 days ago

I do have only two pipes, both Peterson and both are cherished. I am always considering what pipe to purchase next, which one will grab my heart and will be placed on the pipe stand next to my other two. This year Christmas pipe seems to be the one but almost all filtered versions (my prefference), are gone from smoking pipes eu page. Beautiful work, absolute love for copper spigots. Let`s see if one of my preffered shapes will pop up somewhere in Europe under another seller. These babies are selling like hot cakes.

Jonathan
Jonathan
26 days ago

These are some beautiful pipes.

Jonathan
Jonathan
26 days ago

What do references to a SPC site mean? Does it refer to SmokingPipes?

Tim
Tim
26 days ago
Reply to  Jonathan

Yeah normally people say SP for smoking pipes but some also do SPC. But it’s confusing as SPC could also be Seattle Pipe Club. SPE is what I normally see for smokingpipes.eu.

Tim
Tim
26 days ago

Anyone find shapes that were missing from this list?

One that I’ve seen at SP but isn’t on this list is the Smooth 701:
https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/peterson/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=633444

Brandon
Brandon
24 days ago

I ended up with a rustic X105, came in the mail today. Fit and finish is great, I really like the copper spigot, and the stem looks even nicer in person than in the photos. Great job on this year’s Christmas pipes, Peterson.