Pipes, Smoking; Several types and sizes recovered; briars and clay; one lot included clay bowls exclusively, others contained stems and bowls. Consignee: Vivian and Simpson, Virginia City. Manufacturer’s stenciling: ‘THE CELEBRATED VIRGINIA POWHATAN (CLAY), J. R. FRANKLIN & CO., SOLE AGENTS FOR THE MANUFACTURERS, PAMPLIN DEPOT, APPOMATTOX COUNTY, VA.’ Field lot numbers MPC 104, MPC 358, FSC 171.
The following description of the pipe shipment on the Bertrand was provided by Ronald R. Switzer, Director, Bertrand Conservation Laboratory, National Park Service, Missouri Valley, Iowa.
“The pipes are of one type and design ([Plate 2]). Forty pipe bowls plus 136 fragments ... all but 15 are chipped or broken, condition otherwise good. Clay, predominantly grayish-tan, mottled with brick red and brown. Paste soft, fine, and uniform, ... exterior has soft sheen. Preservation: Brushed with soft bristle brush in running tap water to remove mud.” (Switzer, personal communication).
This pipe is similar to ([Plate 19] U); however, there are slight variations due to differences in individual molds made for production of the same pipe form.
The two pipe forms ([Plate 19] T & U), were the only examples we found that carried the peculiar pinkish-gray tan color, and they were found only among the pipes made by the Home Industry. They were probably made of clay from the same source and by the same individual, since home pipemakers usually dug their clay on their own premises, and the condition of the pipes, after a century in mud and moisture, indicates that the work was done well.
The shipment was contained in a wooden box, which was approximately 15½ inches long, 8½ inches wide, and 8 inches tall ([Plate 2]). The stenciling on the box is faint, but legible.
“Lettering on the top of the box indicated the consignee but is so faded that it was impossible to obtain a good photograph; however the stencil once read,—B. A. L. Vivian & Simpson, Virginia City, M. T.” ([Plate 3]) (Switzer, personal communication).
“One end of the box was lettered, No. 1, 216, M. Size” ([Plate 3]). The meaning of this can only be conjectured, however it may have indicated shipment No. 1, to this consignee; containing 216 pipes; of Medium size.
The stencils identifying the consignor, J. R. Franklin & Co., appeared on both sides of the box and were identical ([Plate 3]). The same, except in abbreviated form, appeared diagonally on one end of the box.
The account book of the store at New Store, Virginia, about 23 miles northeast of Pamplin, which is in the collections at Appomattox Courthouse, records that on Sept. 1, 1866, I. H. Schenault was paid $8.00 for 1,600 pipes, and later, (apparently the same day) was paid $8.75 for 2,175 pipes. The latter was evidently a partial and immediate “in trade” transaction.