Collecting Ethos

[Sig]

Technically any assortment of pipes is a collection.
But, in the "collecting" communities, its generally accepted that a collection should have a purpose and a goal.
For instance, I collect Hot wheels.
There are those that buy every car they see, but generally do not consider themselves a "collector". They call themselves an enthusiast.
People in the diecast world who consider themselves a collector have very narrow criteria when looking for a new piece.
Pre 1980s cars, production cars only, Corvettes, birth year only, Red Lines, Treasure Hunts.......Super Treasure Hunts, Chase cars, Real Riders......
I believe many pipe owners are the same way.
Like you mentioned, I hear most pipers say they have an assortment, or " a bunch of damn pipes....
But pipers who only COLLECT certain brands, or shapes, or makers......generally call themselves collectors.
None of this is based on any facts or consensus, just my observation over the years.

 

[shanez]

I can't say this as eloquently as Jesse ( @sablebrush52 ) but I'll take a shot anyway.

First, I do what suits me. I like what I like and I'm happy that other people can appreciate some of the pipes I have but I have them for me first.

Second, I wouldn't use the term "ethos" but rather the term "curate". I've been very fortunate over the years to buy pipes on a whim only later to learn I definitely lean certain directions. Think sub-collections within a collection. Collection-ception, if you will. More and more I watch specifically for pipes that satisfy my PAD whims and fit into my collections. This can be a bit of a double-edged sword, however. You might start collecting pipes of a relatively unknown or underappreciated artisan/manufacturer only to later find they have become popular and therefore more expensive. This can make expanding (curating) your current collection harder and harder to do although the thrill of the hunt is very gratifying to me.

Third, a group of pipes is, by definition, a collection. We could only really debate the number of pipes one could have before it is considered a collection. I think more to your question, my concept of "sub-collections" I mentioned above is what you are meaning. Even this, however, can go back to the idea of quantity. For example, I have a sub-collection of brand name pipes in which the pipes are all different but I "collect" them because I both like they way they look and they are from different manufacturers. Here I'm using brand-names pipes in the same way I use snail and/or nautical themed pipes to apply to a sub-collection of my pipes by various makers.

 

[popeofpiping]

I use the term ethos because I feel it more defines the “spirit” in which we collect, the why if you will. Some don’t have a why. They like smoking tobacco and just buy what they can afford, or think they will enjoy smoking. As @sablebrush52 says “different strokes, for different folks.” I completely agree with that sentiment as well. It’s interesting to me to hear people’s different approaches. There is really two different questions in my OP, though poorly worded, do you call whatever assortment of pipes you own a collection, and do you have an ethos as to the direction of the collection. It’s fascinating reading the replies and getting some insight into a wide range of smokers thoughts on what is a huge part of this hobby, for a lot of us.

 

[xrundog]

Part of what we’re discussing is just language and terms. Honestly, if someone shows me an assortment of six pipes of various styles and makes on a six pipe rack and calls it their collection, I’ll say: Hey nice collection! What kind of rack are you looking for now?

 

[milk]

I can’t exactly remember who and which Pipes Magazine show I heard it on, but a conversation came up that most pipe smokers don’t have a collection, they have an allocation or rather an assortment of pipes. Not a collection. This had me pondering the validity of the statement made and if that rang true in my own pipe smoking journey. I began to conceptualize as to what I have in mind for my long term “collecting” goals. Do I just buy every piece I come across that gives me that PAD tingle, and eventually sit back one day and call the mass assortment of pipes I acquired my collection? Do you methodically plan and stick to an ethos of a collection? What is your current pipe collecting ethos? Do you have one at all? Is this a stupid question and thought experiment I came up with after to many whiskys? Probably. Nonetheless I’m curious what some of the collectors on here have to say regarding their collecting pursuits.

I was haphazard for a while and I ended up getting rid of a bunch of pipes. I don’t have a large collection of pipes but, now, I only have vintage pipes from English-speaking countries. It didn’t have to be that way and I’d still my branch off some day but I had to impose order on myself. I think it’s a brain/OCD thing.

 

[OzPiper]

There are those with collections eg @sablebrush52 (Barlings), @condorlover1 (ancient meer cuttys), @ashdigger (Petersons, old Britwoods), @Briar Lee (Pipes by Lee, Marxman) etc

I like old Britwoods and Bulldogs.
But overall there is a diversity in what I have ended up with.
Best described as "I see, I like, I buy (IF the price if right). Is simple"

 

[AroEnglish]

I think I'm becoming an accumulator more than a collector. I've only been smoking about five months but I've accumulated seven pipes, which is probably not be a lot to most of you, but to me (and my wife), seven is a lot!

My first pipe, a blocky Meer, was a gift. When I thought I should add a pipe or two to the rotation, I went after those that "spoke" to me. I didn't notice that three of the first four pipes that I bought were Bulldogs.

In the last month or two, I found myself saying, "I don't have a Churchwarden" or "I think I need a Peterson System pipe and maybe a Spigot" or "Oom Pauls are really cool." I think that may be a collector's mentality.

Whatever it is, I bought five more pipes this morning.

Lol I remember those days. I was approaching 10 pipes and was trying to figure out how to max out at 10. Then it became 20. Then 30. Then the pipes just started appearing out of nowhere and before I knew it I was close to 100. Working my way back down now...

 

[bullet08]

"This is my pipe! There are many like it, but this is Mine!.." Other than that, no I don't have any ethos, whatever that is. Every pipe gets smoked, and they are not collector pieces.

 

[MartyA]

I smoke pretty much only long pipes because they're great for reading. I call them churchwardens, but I'm not sure if some stretch the "technical boundaries" of the name, being used pipes that I modified with long stems. Anyway, I've got about a dozen, and rotate them so I always have a nice dry pipe to smoke.
I haven't found myself buying any more for awhile, so I must be satisfied. If I'd happen to see something I want though, I'd probably spring for it.

 

[AreBee]

My collection was once pushing 300pipes. Now it’s about three dozen. All that collecting / culling has taken place over several decades.

Now, I hold onto certain pipes because:

• I commissioned it
• I have sentimental memories associated with it
• It’s in a shape I like, especially if it’s a hard to find shape (like my Upshall panel skater)
• It’s a damned good pipe

A given pipe may be more than one of the above.

Right now, there are plenty of pipes I’d like — but none I really think I need.

View attachment 326293

Beautiful pipe. It resembles my first pipe which I received as a gift. I chose from a collection of 10 pipes that I helped a friend restore. It just "spoke" to me and started this trip down the rabbit hole.

 

[dog_park_piper]

I never agreed with those who say it’s strange to have identical pipes in the collection. If it’s the pipe I want to reach for every day, then why not have 3 of the same to allow time for each one to dry out ? I had three identical pipes or variations in the finish (smooth, sandblast, etc) a few times.

 

[didimauw]

"This is my pipe! There are many like it, but this is Mine!.." Other than that, no I don't have any ethos, whatever that is. Every pipe gets smoked, and they are not collector pieces.

Huh, I would think you especially would qualify for this thread! And honestly I'm shocked you didn't even mention it.....

 

[Choatecav]

Well, "collection or assortment"..... "tomato or tomaato"..... whatever.

While I do buy those pipes that I like based on the whim or the direction of the wind or the alignment of the stars, I actually do collect a certain slice of Pipedom. I have a collection of 19th century pipes of American origin. Especially those that would have been used around the time of the Civil War. I have several originals but also a few reproductions that have been made for me and copied from photos of originals. I used to smoke them all with regularity, but mostly they are just for viewing now.

 

[elvishrunes]

Used to be assortment, just bought pipes, mostly basket to smoke…. Now it’s a collection. I have shapes, finishes, and makers dialed in to increase in, and know what I want next,but not a rush. Doesn’t mean I won’t spot something I like that’s random though…

Edit; I still smoke everything tho.

 

[Choatecav]

Different strokes for different folks.

My journey with pipes has gone through several phases. I started out just buying what appealed to me. Then I got interested in particular makers. If having a number of pipes made by a particular maker is collecting, I certainly qualify.

Last time I counted there were over 100 Family Era Barlings as well as a few Corporate Era pieces. They range in age from 1882 to the early 1970's. And my interest in Barling didn't stop with pipes. There's the only known complete copy of Barling's prewar catalog, Barling boxes, a Barling display case, Barling pipe tools and a cutter top of Barling branded tobacco from the 1960's. I recently received the wonderful gift of a framed and mounted 1880's era letter from the head of B. Barling & Sons to the owner of the land on which their factory was built. Seems everyone bitches about the rent.

Early Kaywoodies were also an interest and I and collected those, though not to the extent that I collected Barlings. The Kaywoodies range from 1919 to the late 1930's.

There's also a nice grouping of prewar Sasieni 8 and 4 dots, as well as small groupings of Comoy and Ben Wade.

I have a thing for Britwood. They smoke wonderfully well, and fit in with my interest in the history of the pipe trade.

But I also like American artisan carvers whose work shows a distinct personal style, like Scottie Piersel, Lee Von Erck, Tony Fillenwarth, Trever Talbert, and Paul Tatum, who I interviewed and about whom I created a page on Pipedia.

Aside from those groupings there's a motley assortment of pipes I bought because I liked how they looked, or I was just curious about that maker.

All of this had to be done on a strict budget, so while I have some very fine and rare specimens in the Barling collection, there are a great many popular models that I don't have because I'm not going to compete with deep pocketed collectors.

It requires patience and in some cases luck to find primo examples for a fraction of the usual auction price.

I've also been the beneficiary of a few people in the piping community who have offered me great deals in thanks for research I've done for them or out of friendship.

I'm no longer buying because I don't need any more pipes and I'm more than satisfied with what I have. Yes, there are a few white whales out there, but they're safe from me, unless I can acquire them for a fraction of their market price.

These days I collect pictures for my Barling archive. From the standpoint of building a trail, they work just as well.

Sablebrush,

I completely understand if this is a chore you do not wish to take on, but for those of us who really admire the old Barlings, would you be able to display a few of your favorite pieces for us to drool over? Especially some of the old Family Era pipes.

Again, if this is a hassle, just forget it, but I for one, would love to see them..

Thanks

 

[fishmansf]

I found that when I first started pipe smoking I had the need to purchase any pipe that caught my eye. Sort of a bell curve, as interest in the hobby grew, the more pipes I would want to acquire but as I got settled into it and the fascination with smoking became more of a lifestyle thing, I gradually bought less pipes. As it is right now, I only buy pipes from special places. For examples, last Summer we traveled to Scandinavia on vacation and made it a mission to stop at the Danish Pipe shop to buy a pipe and some tobacco. Ironically I never smoke those pipes hah!

 

[tobakenist]

I have been collecting Petersons and freehands for over 50yrs, well over 200 hundred pipes and yes, it's a collection.

 

[Alejo R.]

I have been collecting Petersons and freehands for over 50yrs, well over 200 hundred pipes and yes, it's a collection.

200 hundred is like 20.000 pipes...

 

[sablebrush52]

Sablebrush,

I completely understand if this is a chore you do not wish to take on, but for those of us who really admire the old Barlings, would you be able to display a few of your favorite pieces for us to drool over? Especially some of the old Family Era pipes.

Again, if this is a hassle, just forget it, but I for one, would love to see them..

Thanks

Here are a couple:
1920 with the Motor Wind screen:

1907 Unsmoked Barling companion set:

1915 Barling Billiard (my father's birth year)

WW2 Era Sandblast:

 

[sablebrush52]

Sablebrush,

I completely understand if this is a chore you do not wish to take on, but for those of us who really admire the old Barlings, would you be able to display a few of your favorite pieces for us to drool over? Especially some of the old Family Era pipes.

Again, if this is a hassle, just forget it, but I for one, would love to see them..

Thanks

Here are a couple more:
1907 Bulldog with horn stem:

Late 1930's Barling Nibblick, ultra rare sandblast

1926 Dublin rare 1920's example with a model number

1883 Cased Barling Magnum

1950's Barling Meer lined Quaint - all quaints are one of a kind - no two alike

1930's Barling Quaint