Help ID this meerschaum

[sobx]

My lucky day?
I found a couple meers in a thrift consignment shop today. The nicest one is signed "Fikret Cetinkaya". I paid $40 bucks for it.
It's unsmoked, in a blue velvet case, horn stem, with tamper. I can find absolutely nothing online concerning this guy.
My guess is it was carved in the late 70's. Total length is 8 1/2 inches.
Anyone have any knowledge on Turkish Carver Fikret Cetinkaya?
I believe it's worth more than forty bucks.
I can't believe with this guys skills he isn't on some Master Carvers profile somewhere.

Thanks for your help.

 

[sobx]

Second prize of the day from the same thrift shop.
I paid $30 bucks for it.
Signed by Eyup Sabri, same velvet box, bone stem, and tamper. I did good on this one I think. Smoking pipes sold a similar one used for $395

 

[Charley Scanlan]

Killer finds, great looking pipes!

 

[BriarBeagle]

Those meers were definitely carved by the hands of an experienced artisan. What a steal at those prices! Congrats!

 

[Ranger107]

Great looking pipes. You stole them, lol.

 

[eggman]

Sweet looking pipes but the second one is my fav. Great score

 

[sobx]

Ah. After a day of research I find that "Fikret Cetinkaya" is not a person but Fikret Cetinkaya Deri, LTD an import/export company on the corner at 31st street in Istanbul, Turkey
Isn't google street view awesome! Here's a pic of the store.
Guess thats why I couldn't find mention of a carver by that name.

 

[sobx]

Sweet looking pipes but the second one I’d my fav. Great score

Awesome info I found on the guy. He passed away in May 2005. Looks like this one is a prize. And for pennies on the dollar!

Eyup Sabri

 

[Idlefellow]

Better buy a lottery ticket; you're on a roll!

 

[ftrplt]

Two true 'steals" for you, kind sir!!!!!! Good for you!! FTRPLT

 

[lgoldberg]

I don't even like the look of Meerschaum pipes, but if I saw one like that in a thrift store for $30 or $40, I would buy it, just to rescue and re-home it.

 

[Sherlock]

Those look so special and very handsome looking.

 

[Book]

Very nice, sobx! Good job of spotting some beautiful pipes, and nice job on the research.

I would not have been able to help with the identification, but I join everyone else in admiring the shape of the pipe and the carving.

Also, $40 for the first one and $30 for the second? Sheesh! Well done!

Igoldberg is right. You have rescued those pipes. Enjoy the pipes, and revel in the find!

 

[sobx]

BRAGGING RIGHTS FIRST PLACE WINNER September 2023:

Not bad for a thirty dollar investment, eh gents?
Now if I can just do it over again.

 

[Idlefellow]

Sa-weet!