I recently acquired a meerschaum pipe (top 4 photos) made by the 20th century master carver Eyup Sabri (who died in 2005). The 3-headed dragon with red jeweled eyes is signed on its shank collar with two large script initials "E.S." preceded by the smaller numerals "983" and followed by the numerals "61" ; according to Sabri's customary markings this translates to "Made In September 1983 by Eyup Sabri, Serial #61 (I've learned that the serial number was an accommodation to Sabri's US importer, Royal Meerschaum Store in San Marcos, CA. They asked him to put an ID number on each to pipe for inventory tracking and control purposes. However, Sabri responded by pulling 2 or 3 digit numbers more or less out of thin air and at random, and dutifully carved them into the shank of each pipe). It has no case or documentation, but when new would have been delivered in a large velvet-lined presentation box along with a matching carved meerschaum pipe tamper, a signed certificate of authenticity from Eyup Sabri, and a serialized plaque. One such complete set (see photo, bottom right above), a much smaller and simpler work from around the same era entitled "Fishes", and with a handcut stem of black water buffalo horn nearly identical to my pipe, sold instantly two days ago on eBay for an unspecified amount (auction buy-it-now was $1000 but seller ended auction early). Another such complete set (see photo, bottom left above), an allegedly erotic work featuring a basket-type treatment to the bowl and two gargoyle-looking figures engaged in sexual congress on its shank is listed on eBay for $2100 or best offer. Numerous other Eyup Sabri's from this era have sold in recent years (the Worthpoint site has photos of a handful but since I'm not a member I couldn't access 'sold for' info there). On Youtube, another Eyup Sabri pipe is featured in a video (search for Man In The Moon Meerschaum) but no prices are discussed. A local jeweler confirmed that the eyes on my pipe are genuine rubies' but added that their value reside more in the workmanship required to set them than in the raw gems themselves. I'd welcome suggestions about the best way to sell it. Thanks in advance, "MeerCatPat"
Category
Tobacciana
Medium
Absolutely the highest-quality Turkish meerschaum block (from Eskisehir, and almost certainly old deep-mine Margi stone). Eyes: 6 small red gems (rubies?) or cut glass Stem: handcut black African water buffalo horn Stem fitting: correct period Delrin push-tenon
Distinguishing marks
Around the shank collar, there are two large script initials, "E.S", preceded by 3 smaller numerals "983" and followed by two smaller numerals "61".
Condition
Mint
Date Period
1983, never smoked, no nicks, stains, scratches or cracks, perfect
Size and dimensions of this item
8 " L (mouthpiece to most distant part). Bowl: 2 1/4"H x 1 3/4"W, chamber 7/8" dia, 1 1/2" deep
Weight
86.4 gms
Long Description
History
This came from a private estate in Bonita, CA. Was probably sold new by Royal Meerschaums Pipe Store (Jerry Korn, propr.) in San Marcos, CA. Tried to see what became of original box, tamper, paperwork, etc, but no luck.
Price Paid (If known)
Inquire
For Sale?
Yes
Re: Vintage meerschaum pipe 1983 Eyup Sabri 3-headed dragon
The best way to sell is probably eBay, because so many people view items there, unlike a lot of online antique stores, but keep in mind a lot of people rip others off on eBay. I don't know what kind of price you would put it at, but based off others I've seen they run $350 +, as high as, as you say, $2100. I guess you would need to research some more. There's such little information on these pipes but they're so beautiful. I've seen so many price ranges though with them, I suppose everyone is sort of guessing at prices, and my knowledge here is somewhat limited (I primarily deal with and purchase opium paraphernalia, so that's my more knowledgable spot with pipes).
Re: eBay/France opium pipe
Just saw this opium pipe on eBay and immediately thought of you! Auction ends in less than 2 hours, so you'll probably miss it. I saved a few pics of it to my desktop, so if you're interested, just reply and I'll figure out how to get them to you. Good luck! -meercat pat
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Splendide-et-Rare-Pipe-a-Opium-en-ambre-argent-c…
TRES RARE
PIPE A OPIUM
SECONS EMPIRE
PARFAIT ETAT DE LA PIPE
DANS SON ETUI D'ORIGINE
A RESTAURER
LONGUEUR : 30 cm
GROUPEZ VOS ACHATS
POUR PAYER MOINS DE PORT
CONSULTEZ MES AUTRES OBJETS
EN VENTE SUR EBAY
POSSIBILITE D'ENVOI EN RECOMMANDE SUR DEMANDE
Re: Vintage meerschaum pipe 1983 Eyup Sabri 3-headed dragon
Thanks, Morphium. I've been doing a fair amount of research on Sabri and his work; even obtained from a private collector a very rare photo taken shortly before his death in 2005 of the master standing on the balcony of a hotel in Istanbul and smoking a.....cigar! This 3-headed dragon was my first Sabri (and it turns out that those eyes ARE genuine rubies) but since my last visit here I've added 4 others to my collection. I acquired 3 used Sabris as part of an 8-pipe lot from an eBay/France auction . One is a huge horse done in the style of his famous unicorns; one is a straight billiard with a slotted rim and incredibly precise arabesque patterning and piercings around the top of the bowl, and the last of the French Connection trio is a small, straight arabesque pot, the tiniest Sabri I've ever see or heard of. Finally, about 3 weeks ago I managed to score a virgin Sabri wolf off of eBay! This last pipe may be one of his earliest works; although those distinctive "E.S" initials appear on the underside of its shank, they are not accompanied by a date code OR the 3-digit serial number found on most of his other works. The shank is plain, without the usual Sabri arabesque or floral decorations, and it's the only Sabri I've ever seen with a yellow plastic stem instead of his usual black African water buffalo hand-cut horn stem. Nevertheless, the stem IS handcut in the usual Sabri shape, and I haven't any doubt that it's the Real McCoy. Yes, prices and values are indeed hard to assign to these pipes; they're too new for most professional meerschaum appraisers to value, but too pretty with too much art value to let go cheap. However, selling these pipes online is also a shaky proposition, since so much of what makes a meerschaum great (lightness, balance, draw, quality of stem and fittings, etc) doesn't travel well through cyberspace. Thanks again for your comments, and good luck. "MeerCatPat" aka Tom in Massachusetts