Although J.T. Cooke started his career working anonymously for Elliott Nachwalter, it was Barry Levin who gave him the opportunity to express his own skill and creativity. Here he has made a classic double-beaded bent bulldog, but one with features that have distinct resonances to Danish pipes of the period. We note the gracefully shaped, generous bowl and the diamond shank that emerges organically from the rear. Into the shank is fitted an unusual acrylic "stick" bit with an inlaid, beveled briar ring ornament and a quasi-saddle bit a blue dot on the side.
The bowl is surrounded by straight grain which continues down the shank, and is finished in a rich red/amber color. As one would expect, the fit, finish and engineering are top notch. It's in virtually pristine condition. The only markings on the pipe are the initials "LPI," standing for Levin Pipes International.
All in all, a sweet example of JT's early work.