Pipe Brands and Types Collected

I collect whatever pipes appeal to me and the money issues as well. I have been known to get on ebay and bid on a bunch of pipes that catch my eyes. Then again I won't go there for a long while. I might go to a smoke shop and drop way too much money for a pipe that catches my eye as well.

I would like to say I collect a specific brand but I like to just keep searching for that one pipe that carries me away to the ultimate pipe place on earth but you know we just never get there. That is the beauty of this hobby. We can keep smoking pipes and different tobaccos looking for euphoria.

I had alot of pipes at one time then sold off alot of them. Now I am getting back up there to close to where I was.I wish there were more pipe shows around this area because that seems to be the place where the most memoriable pipe accusitions occure.

About a year ago, I bought a really nice Briar pipe and thought it was a good good pipe to smoke out of, I used it quite a lot. Then just about a month ago I ordered my first clay tavern pipe, the kind commonly smoked as early as the 16th century all the way through to the colonial period. At first I thought I'd never get used to smoking this odd little clay pipe that if you held in your teeth it felt like you were going to chip a tooth. Then after a few times smoking it, I figured out the correct way to hold it in the hands and also realized that I did not really need to hold a pipe in my mouth anyways. I have been smoking that clay pipe for a while now already and found that I just absolutely love smoking with it. It has a much smaller bowl than my Briar pipe, but it actually holds more tobacco, and the stem is long and slender with a gentle curve to it. I find that I actually feel more comfortable and not so out-of-place smoking the clay pipe in a public place than I did when I used the Briar pipe, maybe because of it's less obvious size and shape I guess. It just looks different. I highly recommend anyone to try one of these type pipes out. I don't think I will ever go back to smoking a Briar pipe...actually tried using my Briar pipe just this night, but I just found it to feel awkward and clumsy. I just ordered 4 new clay pipes from a place called Black Bear Haversack Trading Post (Google it), can't wait till they get here. So I guess that is what I am collecting now seeing as how I already bought 6 clay pipes in just the last month. They are great, it is no wonder as to why they were so popular and famous for so many centuries. Oh yeah, and another good thing about collecting clay pipes is that they are very affordable, you can get them for under $10 each. Check out some of the antique ones on Ebay as well, some dated from the 1700's.

Clay pipes are also really easy to clean I found out. Just get one of those propane plumbers torches and evenly heat the pipe till all the tar burns out. It turns nice and perfectly white again. I think the history of clays is what really draws me to them. They do have a sort of acquired feel to them though, kinda like drinking Guinness I suppose. You either love it or you don't.

The main focus of my collection is older Pre-Republic Peterson's, both regular and System pipes. I also have Celius, Willmer's and one Randy Wiley. My most unusual pipe is a faceted briar Peterson's vulcanite Army mount:


My newest is this 1898/1910 Peterson System Patent pipe that I aquired at the CORPS show last weekend:

Kevin, my photo doesn't do that pipe justice. It is a very special pipe to me. I obtained it from Peter Webster-Dowsing's estate. He was a true friend and mentor during a rough time in my life.

The main focus of my collecting is Boswell's,tim west,and Peterson's although I think of myself as more of a pipe smoker than collector

My most unusual pipe is a faceted briar Peterson's vulcanite Army mount

Click to expand...

gorgeous

I collect hawkbills:

Various carvers, Castello, Ser Jacopo, Radice, etc. The classic is the Castello 84 shape. I now have 41 in my collection.

hawkbill display link
I guess the best picture would be a link to the Pittsburgh Pipe Club website:
http://pittsburghpipeclub.wordpress.com/2009/10/24/my-hawkbill-display/
Col 1: 3 mickles, ascorti, gilbert, bonaquisti, weiner, M. Parks, Thomas James

Col 2: 2 Ruthenberg, 10 Castello

Col 3: 3 Bob Kiess, 2 Rinaldo (poker hawks), 5 Ser Jacopo

Col 4: 2 Sam Learned, 8 Radice (notice the 'baby' and GGG)
I hope the link works for you.

here is a link to the photo of my hawkbills:
http://pittsburghpipeclub.wordpress.com/2009/10/24/my-hawkbill-display/
Column 1: Carvers - 3 Clarence Mickles, Ascorti, Gilbert, Bonacquisti, Weiner, Parks, Thomas James

Column 2: - 2 Ruthenberg, 10 Castello

Column 3: - 3 Bob Kiess, 2 Rinaldo, 5 Ser Jacopo

Column 4: - 2 Sam Learned, 8 Radice (notice the 'baby' and the GGG)
I hope the link works for you.

I have recently begun pipe smoking and thus, know very little at this stage. However, I have purchased several pipes which I think, are very nice. One in particular has brought me to post this question: Can anyone enlighten me on a pipe manufacturer named Botz-Choquin? I have found their website and submitted an inquiry as to the approximate date manufactured and value. I have had no response thus far. The pipe is stamped "Virginia". The unique thing about this pipe is the stem, it is made from the tip of a bull horn. It is very beautiful and it smokes really well. My favorite pipe at this point. Any information would be appreciated.