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 a 100% artisanal 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 completely in Sardinia, from briar collection to finish.
Tommaso (who passed away in 2022) was an ambassador of Italian handmade pipes, exporting his creations to the United States and Japan.
Description:
Brand: "Tom Spanu" hand-engraved
Material: Sardinian briar selected with a stunning flaming grain
Shape: Classic bent billiard, elegant and balanced
Nib: Ebonite
Finish: Smooth and glossy with a natural patina, typical of artisanal production in the 1980s/1990s.
Conditions: Excellent, used very little, bowl perfect.
Based on the hand-engraved logo and style, the pipe dates back to the 1980s or 1990s, a period when Tommaso personally crafted each piece, signing it by hand. This is a very sought-after vintage handmade 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 manufacture:

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 shape or letter codes (if present)
HISTORICAL NOTES

Barling & Sons represents one of the most important English pipe manufactories, active since the 19th century and considered, alongside 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 still high quality standards, especially in the early post-transition years.
Your piece falls precisely in this period:
early post-transition phase, still highly appreciated by collectors.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
Material: Selected briar
Finish: Smooth with good natural flaming
Working: Semi-artisanal English
Mouthpiece: Original Ebonite (or acrylic if present)
Line: Barling standard production of middle-high quality
CONDITION
Overall state: good / very good
Structure: sound, no obvious cracks
Combustion chamber: regular
Rim: normal wear from use
Mouthpiece: original, with possible signs of time

Conservative valuation: 7.5 – 8 / 10

DATE OF PRODUCTION
Attribution based on:
- Style of marking
- Presence of the inscription “Made in England”
- Barling post-1962 production characteristics

Period confirmed: 1962 – 1970

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