BARLING LONDON-TOM SPANU - SARDEGNA - Pipe - Briar - (2)

DUE SPLENDIDE PIPE DA ESPERTI COLLEZIONISTI.
Tommaso Spanu (1944–2022) is regarded as one of the greatest producers of Italian and international pipes.
In 1979 he founded his workshop in Sassari, introducing 100% artisanal production entirely Sardinian, with particular attention to the selection of Erica Arborea briar, which he personally collected and seasoned for over 10 years.
Spanu is known for being the only pipe producer in the world to make pipes entirely in Sardinia, from briar harvesting to finishing.
Tommaso (who passed away in 2022) was an ambassador of Italian artisanal pipes, exporting his creations to the United States and Japan.
Description:
Brand: "Tom Spanu" hand-engraved
Material: Sardinian briar selected with a splendid flaming grain
Shape: Classic curved billiard, elegant and balanced
Mouthpiece: Ebonite
Finish: Smooth and polished with a natural patina, typical of 80s/90s artisanal production.
Conditions: Excellent, very little used, perfect bowl.
Based on the hand-engraved logo and style, the pipe dates to the 1980s or 1990s, the period when Tommaso personally produced each piece, signing it by hand. It is a very sought-after vintage artisanal piece.
The market value is high because Tommaso Spanu has passed away and his original pipes, especially those with autograph signatures, are becoming investment pieces.
LENGTH: 145 MM, WEIGHT: 55 g
Brand / Pipemaker:
Barling’s Make (Barling & Sons)
Place of production:
London, England
Estimated production period:
1962 – 1970 (early post-transition phase, English production still at a good level)
Marking:
“BARLING” / “BARLING’S MAKE”
“MADE IN ENGLAND”
Any form codes or letters (if present)
HISTORICAL REMARKS
Barling & Sons represents one of the most important English pipe manufacturers, active since the 19th century and considered, along with Dunhill, one of the absolute references of British tradition.
Barling pipes pre-1962 (Family Era) are today among the most sought after in the world.
After the ownership change in 1962, production continues in England maintaining high quality standards, especially in the early post-transition years.
Your piece falls right into this period:
early post-transition phase, still highly appreciated by collectors.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
Material: Briar briar selected
Finish: Smooth with good natural flame
Work: Semi-artisanal English
Mouthpiece: Original Ebonite (or acrylic if present)
Line: Standard Barling mid-high quality production
CONDITIONS
Overall state: good / very good
Structure: sound, no evident cracks
Combustion chamber: regular
Rim: normal signs of use
Mouthpiece: original, with possible signs of time
Conservative valuation: 7.5 – 8 / 10

DATING
Attribution based on:
Branding style
Presence of the phrase "Made in England"
Barling production characteristics post-1962
Confirmed period: 1962 – 1970

CURRENT MARKET VALUE
Valuation based on real sales (PicClick, international market):
Europe Value:
€120 – €180