New Book: Scandinavian Pipemakers by Jan Andersson
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Kevin Godbee - Apr 26, 2012
- 1 min read
Kevin Godbee
Pipe smoking is a big deal in Denmark. The Danes have the highest per capita population of pipe smokers in the world. So it seems fitting that the Scandinavian region would also produce some of the most famous pipe makers in the world. If you really want to be knowledgeable about the past, present and future of pipes, then you must be informed about the 50+ pipe makers from Denmark, Sweden & Norway. There are not many books published for the pipe enthusiast. Of the small amount, in and out of print, just a few have chapters on Scandinavian pipe makers. Now we have a brand new, complete book about them.
“Scandinavian Pipemakers” by Jan Andersson is a hardcover 340-page book, with 400 color illustrations, now available from Briar Books Press for $60.
Gary B. Schrier, Owner of Briar Books Press, tells Pipes Magazine; “The history of modern Scandinavian pipe-making started in Denmark in the middle of the last century. The evolution since has been amazing and is something of a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. Andersson has had the privilege to follow this evolution for several decades and has met most of the pipemakers involved in it. In this extensively illustrated book, he masterfully weaves the stories of more than 50 pipemakers, some old and experienced, others quite new to the trade. From Jess Chonowitsch to Tom Eltang to the Ivarsson Family to Kent Rasmussen, Andersson tells the story of each craftsman knowingly and with great admiration. Jan has effectively catalogued the modern-day history of a movement of pipemakers from a distinct geography that which has contributed so much to the well-being of pipemen everywhere good taste prevails, be he a collector or, indeed, of that rarefied breed today known quaintly as the pipe-smoker. With Andersson’s colorful portrayal of these lone craftsmen, their enthusiasm and creativity is indicative that the evolution of exquisite Scandinavian pipe-making may yet carry forward on to the next century.” (N.B. The book is hardcover, A4-size, 340 pp., coated stock, 400 color illustrations, shipping weight 4 lbs. 7 ozs., price $60, visit www.briarbooks.com for shipping cost to your destination, USA or foreign.)
Here’s a look inside the book – click for larger images –
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Scandinavian Pipemakers is a must-read, and a must-have coffee table book for all pipe aficionados. Order here.
Written by Kevin Godbee
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Welcome to The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 635. Our featured interview on tonight’s show is with James Ravenwood. James is the boutique tobacco blender of Ravenwood Blends. His blending started out as a fun hobby, and he now has professionally packaged commercially available products with some great tin art. Part of his interest in pipe smoking goes back to fond memories of a retired Navy Veteran that lived on his street while he was growing up that would sit in his driveway smoking a pipe all day. Later, in 2011 he began smoking pipes and soon after started experimenting with mixing different tobaccos. His other hobby, that he has been doing for 30 years, is photography. He takes wonderful photos of outdoor spaces, and still life pictures of pipes and tobacco. You can see them on his Instagram @thebriarfellowship. At the top of the show we’ll have an Ask the Pipemaker segment with renowned pipe artisan Jeff Gracik.
Welcome to The Pipes Magazine Radio Show Episode 634! Our featured interview on tonight’s show is with Warren Ertle. Warren is an extremely accomplished musician with a PhD in music. He started early as a percussionist in sixth grade. Later his grandmother got him a cheap Casio keyboard which he taught himself to play. He started playing in blues bands in high school, and has been a pianist with jazz big bands for years. Even though he was already a professional musician, he took his first real piano lesson when he enrolled in college with his studies in classical music. He is of course a pipe smoker. At the top of the show we will have an Ask the Tobacco Blender segment with Jeremy Reeves. Jeremy is the Head Blender at Cornell & Diehl, which is one of the most popular boutique pipe tobacco companies in the USA.
Soon now, supposedly, our neighborhoods will shift from grinning pumpkins, skeletons in various assortments, and zombies dashing about to pretty reindeer, angels, and flashing lights illuminating homes with sparkling stars and laughing, scurrying Santas. But, lest we forget, there is the turkey season, fancy pie aromas wafting from kitchens, and a national pardon of a big Tom Turkey. Remember, now, that only one of these holiday personalities is a pipe smoker. And that is the hefty, bearded fellow in a bright red suit sitting in a sleigh with a herd of deer hitched up and ready to streak across the globe, bringing tidings of joy and many presents. Ok, the scene is set for the next couple of months, right? So, before we get too far off the beaten path, let’s just take a deep breath of fresh autumn air, shall we? Ahh. That’s better, isn’t it? What’s got the Pundit in a snit is not all the Halloween spooks who came a-jostling for candy. 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Well there’s nothing like a touch of the plague to usher in the changing season. Leaving the airport just when the first advertisements for all things pumpkin spice began to appear—lattes, muffins, shampoos, trash bags, and myriad other concoctions—so, too, my ability to breathe freely disappeared. The unfortunate side effect of losing one’s sense of taste and smell for weeks is the utter inability to enjoy tobacco. Not that I consider myself an expert on anything but my own tastes, but be forewarned that this review was made with mildly impugned sensory equipment. Just when a comforting pipe was most needed, its comfort was denied. Be that as it may, the road to recovery found me limping along on one lung this past month, trying to wrest the particulars of two blends on offer from Sutliff: the latest 175th Anniversary blend, Silver Quarter, as well as their spooky seasonal Maple Shadows II. Silver Quarter is a new style on offer from Sutliff, their first coin-cut blend. 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Fantastic book. A must have for pipesmokers and you have to respect the imense work effort that Jan (Author) have putten in to this book. 2-3 years of coffee meetings with all the pipemakers.
I’m looking forward to owning this book and spending countless hours learning about these pipe makers and admiring their craftsmanship. I especially like the way Andersson organized the pipe makers by region as it has the potential to reveal various influences. It looks like a “must buy” for any pipe smoker.
Dear Sirs,
I am interested to buy the book Scandinavian Pipe Makers.
My address:
Roberto Sabaini
Via Puccini 13
37019 Peschiera del Garda (VR) Italy
Best regards
Dear Roberto,
This book is available directly from the publisher’s site, http://www.briarbooks.com. Please direct your inquiries there.
Regards,
GBS