J.M. Boswell is one of the first American pipe makers to hand-engrave his name onto each of his briar pipes, instead of using a metal stamp. In the 70’s he always hand carved his signature onto the shank of all his pipes.
From 1975 to the beginning of 1980 while working for pipe maker Richard Johnson, J.M. made hundreds of pipes, on which he stamped Johnson Handmade. J.M. made 90% of all those pipes in that era. Near the end of J.M.'s employment at Johnson’s, you will find pipes with Boswell's signature hand-engraved on the underside of the pipes with Johnson handmade stamped on the side.
Beginning in 1980, here at Boswell’s Pipe and Tobacco, J.M. had a metal stamp made and experimented with it a few times, but felt it was not a proper finish for his handmade pipes. “A work of art should be hand signed not stamped like machine made pipes. Artist’s always sign their work.”
Thrown by an illegible signature, J.M. started to carve his name more clearly around 1998. Since J.M. was selling his pipes all over the world, he then started to print USA along with his name and year.
The Gettysburg Pipe -By J.M. Boswell, Limited Edition Design for The Old Virginia Tobacco Company Merrifield Va.
100th Anniversary pipes - Exclusively for Hain’s Pipe and Cigars in York Pa.
Hand Crafted in the early 80’s to celebrate One Hundred years of the cigar store business in York. J.M. had made 100 pipes for them exclusively to be sold in their store. The second oldest tobacco store in Pennsylvania.
Owner of Hains at that time was Mrs. Miller.
Many Boswell wedding pipes with the Bride and Groom names and wedding date have been made.
J.M. made a matching set of Bulldog Pipes in custom boxes. Anniversary of his making pipes since1975
5 sets made in 1985
Boswell Nomenclature Information - Meerschaum Pipes
J.M. hand carved Meerschaum Pipes in 1981
J.M. kept these two in photos for himself to smoke.
Created about 50 pipes, in different styles that he had sold.
J.M. created them all out of solid Meerschaum blocks.
Sold them till he ran out of the blocks of Meerschaum.
If collecting Boswell Pipes, it will be a rare find if you can get one of these for your collection.
J.M. had a stamp with his name J.M. Boswell and used this on his Meerschaum pipes.
No date is on these pipes just his name.
