Marxman Catalog

[Briar Lee]

Today I won for $10 delivered a copy of a forties Marxman catalog.

Marx might have had other catalogs but this one was common, as judged by those on sale.

The 8th and 9th pages where Mel-o, Dunsboro, Morocco and Selected Grain likely were listed didn’t come out, but when it gets in I’ll post it.

Notice Marx never mentioned he used Algerian briar.

And unlike other makers, Marx advised keeping “most of the cake” down.

 

[telescopes]

I have three of those catalogs in the original boxes. Very interesting read.

 

[Briar Lee]

I have three of those catalogs in the original boxes. Very interesting read.

There’s also no mention of all those Marxman $5 figural pipes.

Did that catalog come in the box from the factory with a new pipe?

Or were they placed there by dealers?

 

[Briar Lee]

Another thing I suspected but the catalog makes clear.

All Benchmades and Jumbos were completely hand made to whatever shape the carver thought best to use for the briar block. There were no standard shapes for those.

What puzzles me is I own several Benchmade Jumbos.

Marx ran an industrial level custom shop.

 

[telescopes]

There’s also no mention of all those Marxman $5 figural pipes.

Did that catalog come in the box from the factory with a new pipe?

Or were they placed there by dealers?

View attachment 267420

I do have a catalog somewhere with the figurine pipes.

 

[telescopes]

Can you believe we are down to six pipes left for sale.

 

[telescopes]

This is it.

 

[Briar Lee]

The owner of a 400 has the best instrument ever devised for smoking tobacco.

A 400 is the affordable briar pipe equivalent of the Russian royal family’s Fabrege Easter Eggs.

Where, are those 80 masterpieces Marx had hand carved by the best sculptors of his era?

Those would truly be beyond estimation of value, and unfortunately too valuable to smoke.

My 400s color a shade darker with every smoke. Before long they’ll look like this Tom Howard, and be all the better for it.

 

[didimauw]

The owner of a 400 has the best instrument ever devised for smoking tobacco.

A 400 is the affordable briar pipe equivalent of the Russian royal family’s Fabrege Easter Eggs.

Where, are those 80 masterpieces Marx had hand carved by the best sculptors of his era?

Those would truly be beyond estimation of value, and unfortunately too valuable to smoke.

My 400s color a shade darker with every smoke. Before long they’ll look like this Tom Howard, and be all the better for it.

View attachment 267439

That one looks like the perfect size for me. 5"? What does the button slot look like on those?

I still say It doesn't get any better than my Punto Oros....

 

[telescopes]

That one looks like the perfect size for me. 5"? What does the button slot look like on those?

I still say It doesn't get any better than my Punto Oros....

Radice oil cured. Check it out.

 

[Briar Lee]

That one looks like the perfect size for me. 5"? What does the button slot look like on those?

I still say It doesn't get any better than my Punto Oros....

That Tom Howard appears to be a knock off of a very large Marxman. It should be here tomorrow.

Tonight I put four flakes of Luxury Navy Twist in my 400 D 334 (about 12 flakes to the ounce) and was in heaven for almost two hours.

Harry Hosterman smoked a pocket can of Prince Albert a week.

A big Marxman has about eight times the capacity of a small, caked Grabow.

High dollar prestige pipes my ass.

If we make it through heaven’s gate God will be smoking a 400.

 

[Sobrbiker]

View attachment 267433
This is it.

I’m safe, no saddle stemmed “beauties”

 

[yanoJL]

In March I often see posts of meerschaum pipes (meer match madness). This month's theme has been Marxman, it seems. @Briar Lee and @telescopes you have shared some really wonderful content. Thank you!

 

[didimauw]

In March I often see posts of meerschaum pipes (meer match madness). This month's theme has been Marxman, it seems. @Briar Lee and @telescopes you have shared some really wonderful content. Thank you!

These two, Will take you from not knowing a pipe existed, to hitting the "Buy" Button immediately.

 

[yanoJL]

These two, Will take you from not knowing a pipe existed, to hitting the "Buy" Button immediately.

Yep. In fact, it already happened. I got a Marxman Mel-O from Dave Neeb. haha

 

[Briar Lee]

What Marx offered,,,,,his sales gimmick and trademark,,,,were bench made high quality Algerian briar pipes starting at $5.

A $5 Bench Made or Jumbo was a larger pipe that was hand made at one bench, then polished and finished on an assembly line.

They were sanded and emery polished nine times and then polished with tripoli.
No cheap varnish jobs on a Marxman.

Today a $5 Marxman in 1946 would be $80 in our money.

No way anyone offers a truly bench made pipe for eighty bucks.

 

[tobakenist]

I hope they all smoke alright but I am sorry but they all look ugly, I'm a freehand collector plus a big Peterson collector but because I'm in the UK I and I don't understand the Scribbles on these Marxmans, covering faults ? I don't find them artistic, I know they might be great smokers but I have to enjoy a beautiful crafted and a great smoker. Sorry but the Marxmans do nothing for me. Enjoy.

 

[telescopes]

I hope they all smoke alright but I am sorry but they all look ugly, I'm a freehand collector plus a big Peterson collector but because I'm in the UK I and I don't understand the Scribbles on these Marxmans, covering faults ? I don't find them artistic, I know they might be great smokers but I have to enjoy a beautiful crafted and a great smoker. Sorry but the Marxmans do nothing for me. Enjoy.

And your point is?

In person the pipes look quite different. Pictures do little justice. It’s the strangest thing, but the pipe is really only appreciated in person.

 

[telescopes]

And your point is?

In person the pipes look quite different. Pictures do little justice. It’s the strangest thing, but the pipe is really only appreciated in person.

Anyone who owns one will attest to this as being strangely true.

 

[Briar Lee]

Many Super Briar Marxman pipes are smooth finished, machine fraised, but hand polished pipes in conventional shapes and the same size as Kaywwodies, Webers, and Lees of the same era.

Once you’ve seen one medium American Bulldog or Billiard from the forties you’ve about seen them all.

The “real” Marxmans were the Bench Mades, Jumbos, “Big Boys” and 400s with rustication.

Marx truly did use very high grade, very old and aged Algerian briar, the very best. Most was not highly figured and it must have been hell to work with, as soft and as many pits as it seems to have had. That is mostly the reason for the carvings, gouches, lines, and zig zags and chunky shapes to use that spongy, soft briar.

Dunhill oil cured and blasted his.

It tastes spicy when smoked.

The aesthetics follow the briar.