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

DUE SPLENDIDE PIPE DA ESPERTI COLLEZIONISTI.
Tommaso Spanu (1944–2022) is considered one of the greatest producers of Italian and international pipes.
In 1979 he founded his workshop in Sassari, introducing 100% handcrafted production, entirely Sardinian, with particular attention to the selection of Erica Arborea briar, which he collected and seasoned personally 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 beautiful flame figure
Shape: Classic curved billiard, elegant and balanced
Bowl: Ebony (ebonite)
Finish: Smooth and glossy with a natural patina, typical of 1980s/1990s artisanal production.
Conditions: Excellent, used very little, bowl perfect.
Based on the hand-engraved logo and style, the pipe dates back to the 1980s or 1990s, the period when Tommaso personally produced every piece, signing it by hand. This is a highly sought-after vintage artisanal piece.
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)
Markings:
“BARLING” / “BARLING’S MAKE”
“MADE IN ENGLAND”
Any shape codes or letters (if present)
HISTORICAL NOTES
Barling & Sons represents one of the most important English pipe manufacturers, active since the 19th century and considered, together with Dunhill, a benchmark 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 exactly in this period:
early post-transition phase, still highly appreciated by collectors.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
Material: Selected briar
Finish: Smooth with good natural flame
Work: Semi-artisanal English
Mouthpiece: Original ebonite (or acrylic if present)
Line: Standard production of medium-high Barling quality
CONDITION
Overall state: good / very good
Structure: sound, without obvious cracks
Combustion chamber: regular
Rid: normal wear from use
Mouthpiece: original, with possible signs of time
Conservative valuation: 7.5 – 8 / 10

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

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