Castello Trademark GG Smooth Bulldog Estate Briar Pipe, Italian Estates

In the world of pipes, Italy is famous for its workshops—institutions that operate at a smaller scale to factories, but in which expert artisans work tirelessly to create pipes entirely by hand. Founded in 1947 by Carlo Scotti, Castello is one of the oldest and most renowned of these workshops, and Castello pipes are often spoken of as Italy’s answer to England’s famous Dunhill pipes. Known for its equally high-grade smooth, sandblasted, and rusticated finishes, Castello’s legacy is felt not only in the continued success of the make itself, but also in the various, similarly high-end workshops founded by former Castello craftsmen, such as Caminetto, Radice, and Ascorti. Castello’s Trademark line was introduced by Carlo Scotti many decades ago and, over time, the design has changed somewhat. It has always been a smooth finish, but the original Trademark had a very specific hue with a very specific point of reference. The hue in question is a deep red, and the point of reference is not, say, claret, like many an English pipe, but carmine, an animal-based dye that is equal parts popular and peculiar. While I don’t think that Scotti’s designs incorporated carmine into the finishing process of the Trademark, the resemblance is, nonetheless, uncanny. This particular Trademark is an example of Scotti’s original vision for the line, in addition to being a quite uncommon “GG” grade. “G” is used for oversized renditions of Castello’s house shapes, and “GG” is used for renditions that dwarf even a regular “G,” as is the case with this veritable pocket magnum take on the workshop’s classic shape “56” bulldog. The condition is very good. Minor handling marks and a couple of very slight scratches on the rim.   Details: Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm Bowl Depth: 2.28″ / 57.91mm Weight: 2.8oz / 80g

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