Vintage WW II Emperor Supreme Smoking Pipe from Empire Pipe Company (NY)

Description

The Empire Pipe Company (Continental Briar Pipe Co.) made three grades of pipes.  This was a "Supreme," the highest quality briar; and it's quite nice.  From the scant amount of material online, I think the earliest date for this pipe would have been in 1941.  A (I believe) a 1945 and a1947 catalogue contains this pipe's picture and description.  The earlier advertisement called it a medium Dublin.  I could find nothing on pipes being made after 1947.   So that's all I know on dating and company history.   Everything cleaned up nicely, so the pipe shows pretty well.  Of particular note, however, is a glaring defect on the shank at the mortise.   Because of that, I'm putting this pipe up for sale at a price attractive to someone who is able and would want to restore it.  See the pictures: it's a mildly stunning pipe except for the cracked shank.  The crack does go through the mortise, as can be seen in the photos.   It's a longish pipe, about 6 3/4 inches.  This Emperor Supreme comes from the estate of David Windsor/Bufflehead Pipe & Tobacco (Kansas City).