Calabash pipe-help ID mark-anchor + lion + M on ferrule.

[Karen Hewitt]

Hello, I have an antique calabash pipe with a mark on its ferrule of an anchor plus a lion plus the letter M. Above the mark in a cartouche are the letters "L & A- plus an O- I have researched the mark and can not come up with anything. Any help is appreciated! PS the images are posted as text links per the imagehost tutorial- trust they will work as they have in my preview- I am new at this, so many thanks!
calabashmark_001.jpg (2.2 MB)
calabashmark_003.jpg (2.9 MB)

[2209patrick]

Hi Karen.

Your pictures are really big. Next time downsize them, but not to a thumbnail. 320 X 240 is a good size.
That way they don't take so long to upload for others trying to view them.
Most hosting sites have a way to downsize the image.

I read the sterling hallmarks as Birmingham, 1911. Don't know the maker.



Pat.

[Karen Hewitt]

Pat, thank you so much! Yikes, I thought the image sizing issue was fixed, I am SO sorry! I'm re-visiting the photo issue to figure out what I'm doing wrong- won't post again until I've got it down. I waded through quite a bit of my Jackson's marks but missed this one. Happy New Year and many thanks!

[MCB]

Hello Karen,

The "L & AO" mark almost certainly relates to Louis & Alfred Orlik, tobacconists of 62 Barbican, London who registered marks very similar to the one on the pipe mount at the London and Chester offices in the period 1906-11.
Unfortunately there is, as yet, no definitive publication to check the Birmingham mark although if you want to try a direct approach to that office the address is "history@theassayoffice.co.uk".

Mike

[Karen Hewitt]

Mike, Thank you so much! I truly appreciate your answer, surmised as it is, Happy New Year! Karen