Peterson

The shapes of Peterson pipes - the traditional ones are the curves, the Army and the Silver Spigot - have changed little in the last hundred years and continue to remain highly sought after internationally. Mark Twain and many other writers were admirers of the Peterson system.

Although Ireland is not a typical pipe smoking country, Petersons are purely Irish like Irish Guinness, music and stew. Opposite Trinity College, at the end of Grafton Street, is the Peterson store whose assortment does not only include house products. A substantial part of Peterson pipes is still made with the palatal mouth which, with the exception of the German company Vauen, is hardly ever made by any other manufacturer.
Peterson currently offers about 80 different shapes - including some foam pipes - mostly of classic style. Many bear the name of Irish counties, islands or cities and the rusticated pipes give the impression of being rough like the Cliffs of Moher. In the meantime, the English manufacturer 'Duncan Briars' has also joined the company, for which however few examples are manufactured. Peterson pipes are offered in any quality and at any price. Precious models are frequently applied with real gilded silver or even gold and, when exported to certain countries, the stove is not treated with coal dust. The pipe lover can therefore immediately ascertain that the wood is free from defects even on the inside of the pipe. Alongside the various series such as Antique or Old English Collection, Peterson also manufactures a line of pipes called Sherlock Holmes, reminiscent of the films with Basil Rathborne who, in his role as investigator, perpetually smoked a Peterson. The pipe series have now become a coveted collector's item.
After numerous changes of ownership the company was managed for years by Jim Nicholson - the only one in the sector to have risen from the position of worker to that of manager - who sold it to Tom Palmer in 1994, who set himself the goal of preserve the tradition and at the same time comply with the needs of the market. Some stages of production are carried out by other companies except silver work. In Dublin, we are particularly proud of the fact that this craftsmanship continues to be carried out in the Peterson factory.