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% 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 entirely in Sardinia, from briar collection to finishing.
Tommaso (who passed away in 2022) was an ambassador of Italian artisan pipes, exporting his creations to the United States and Japan.
Description:
Brand: "Tom Spanu" hand-engraved
Material: Sardinian briar selected with a beautiful flaming grain
Shape: Classic curved billiard, elegant and balanced
Bit: Ebonite
Finish: Smooth and glossy with a natural patina, typical of 1980s/1990s artisanal production.
Condition: Excellent, used very little, perfect bowl.
Based on the hand-engraved logo and style, the pipe dates to the 1980s or 1990s, a period when Tommaso personally made every piece, signing it by hand. This is a highly 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)
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 the 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 continued in England with standards still high, especially in the early post-transition years.
Your piece fits precisely in this period:
early post-transition phase, still highly appreciated by collectors.
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
Material: Selected briar
Finish: Smooth with good natural flame
Workmanship: Semi-handcrafted English
Mouthpiece: Original ebonite (or acrylic if present)
Line: Standard Barling production of medium-high quality
CONDITIONS
Overall condition: good / very good
Structure: sound, no evident cracks
Chamber: regular
Rim: normal signs of use
Mouthpiece: original, with possible signs of time
Conservative assessment: 7.5 – 8 / 10
DATE OF PRODUCTION
Attribution based on:
Branding style
Presence of the phrase “Made in England”
Barling post-1962 production characteristics
Confirmed period: 1962 – 1970
CURRENT MARKET VALUE
Assessment based on real sales (PicClick, international market):
European value:
€120 – €180