I returned from Europe with a couple goodies....
I was in a nice artisan shop off the famous st mark's square in Venice... they sold leather goods like wallets, purses etc... I saw a nice Pipe Display made of leather... there were three pipes on the display... Two dublins and nice little pot or prince with silver - I did not have my reading glasses to see the brand name... , but I could tell the pipes were pretty good quality. I asked the lady about them and she said they were just part of the display - but they had been around a long time and if I wanted them, I could have them for 25/euros each. Not knowing what they were, but knowing I like the fit and finish of them, I grabbed the one wth the silver ring.... The lady told me the pipe was made in Italy and that the silver was real. When I got back to the hotel, I was able to read that the pipe was a nice Gasparini... Here's a pic... and she's a nice smoker too... I love the 25 euro prcetage... (about $28)
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When I arrived in Dusseldorf, my best friend took me to their "best" smoke shop... it was everything I was hoping it would be... second/third generation family run shop... GIGANTIC selection and variety of pipes and tobaccos... I wanted a German pipe - and had several Design Berlin and Vauen's in my hand... but I ended up with this nice Butz-Choquin for under fifty bucks... I also grabbed a tin of one of their signature mixes... with Perique... here's a nice pic...:
I was in a nice artisan shop off the famous st mark's square in Venice... they sold leather goods like wallets, purses etc... I saw a nice Pipe Display made of leather... there were three pipes on the display... Two dublins and nice little pot or prince with silver - I did not have my reading glasses to see the brand name... , but I could tell the pipes were pretty good quality. I asked the lady about them and she said they were just part of the display - but they had been around a long time and if I wanted them, I could have them for 25/euros each. Not knowing what they were, but knowing I like the fit and finish of them, I grabbed the one wth the silver ring.... The lady told me the pipe was made in Italy and that the silver was real. When I got back to the hotel, I was able to read that the pipe was a nice Gasparini... Here's a pic... and she's a nice smoker too... I love the 25 euro prcetage... (about $28)
][/url]
When I arrived in Dusseldorf, my best friend took me to their "best" smoke shop... it was everything I was hoping it would be... second/third generation family run shop... GIGANTIC selection and variety of pipes and tobaccos... I wanted a German pipe - and had several Design Berlin and Vauen's in my hand... but I ended up with this nice Butz-Choquin for under fifty bucks... I also grabbed a tin of one of their signature mixes... with Perique... here's a nice pic...: