Collecting Pipes –' To smoke or not to smoke?'

[thesandpiper]

Collecting Pipes –' To smoke or not to smoke?'
Jeremiah (bubbadreier) asked this question in my post “Hidden Treasure”.
“Hey Sandpiper, do you smoke all the Petes that you get, or do you keep some unsmoked (by you that is, I understand that many of the pipes you buy are older and used)? “
This is a question that I am often asked,particularly when folks realise that I have a large ,growing collection of Peterson pipes,covering many different historical time periods.

Apologies for the long winded response,please indulge an old obsessive guy.
I have a particularly personal viewpoint on this, which is tailored to my situation,circumstances and my experiences of owning my particular collection of Petersons. Others I know will have completely different views.

So for what it is worth Jeremiah, this is my take on your question.

I do not smoke all of the pipes which I acquire.
I am very fortunate to have been able to concentrate my energies in retirement, on my obsession for specifically collecting my beloved Peterson pipes. I currently have around 400+.

I have a dedicated focus, collecting only Peterson pipes. I have mini collections within my main collection,including Patents, pre-Republics, Mark Twain's, Darwin's, Peterson London made pipes,'Star' and 'Red' Standard Systems,Year pipes, Anniversary,Commemorative and modern higher grade pipes.

I do have weekly rotations of seven of each Darwins,Systems and Mark Twain smoking pipes, which are my mainstay for regular use. I view the others as collectables, particularly the older historical ones and keep these as both investments and museum pieces. My view is that I am their custodian,they will be here long after me and are a window to the elegance and pride in craftsmanship of the past. Having such a large collection, I have no need to indulge myself in regularly smoking them all.

Some may find my take on this very alien. However please respect that it is a very personal view.

Regards

Jim

 

[robs]

I completely agree with your view point Jim. I don't know whether you ever came south and visited the now, long gone, Pipe Museum near Steyning, West Sussex? But when the Custodian of the collection passed away, my Father was heavily involved in the disposal of certain more valuable pieces. It was always his greatest desire to find someone to take over the stewardship of this huge collection, but this desire was thwarted by the costs involved of finding a suitable property in which the collection could be housed.
I feel much the same way that you do, whilst my pipes do not number yours, I sincerely hope that they will continue to bring pleasure long after I shuffle off. Like so many things in this life, we are only a custodian during our time span.
Best Regards

Rob

 

[admin]

I think pipes are for smoking, but if I had 400 of them, it would be tough to smoke them all.

 

[greggors]

Normally I would agree with Kevin, it's just that some of the estates I've seen have a lot of history and are too nice for me to think about putting a flame to them.

Wouldn't mind seeing a picture of that collection =D

 

[thesandpiper]

Your wish is my command! Try the link to view my gallery.
http://sandpiper.smugmug.com/
Regards

Jim

 

[greggors]

Wow a lot of beautiful pipes! my compliments =D

 

[cortezattic]

I think this enormous collection is important from both an artistic and historical point of view; but I can't decide on whether smoking them is proper. I lean toward the "don't smoke 'em" camp.
What comes to mind are the venerable old $1,000,000.00 violins that, I understand, should be played lest their qualities fade. But I don't think this situation applies in any way to our hobby.

 

[unclearthur]

Absolutely astounding! That is a collection to be proud of. I know I take great pride in my thirty some Petersons.

 

[classicgeek]

Amazing.
To each their own. I fall into the "smoke 'em" camp, but with 400 that would probably become somewhat impractical. Everyone is probably familiar with this work of art:

If you have a pipe, and it's never smoked, is it still a pipe?
Simon

 

[bubbadreier]

I thank you Jim for your response. You have answered many of the questions I had for you!

My view is that I am their custodian,they will be here long after me and are a window to the elegance and pride in craftsmanship of the past.

I love this quote, I think it is a view that all collectors (those that smoke them all and those that watch over the works of art) should take. I am in the smoke them all group, but none of my pipes are museum pieces. If I did have a collection like yours, I believe I would take the same stance as you Jim.
Thanks for the detailed response,

Jeremiah

 

[chuckw]

400+ pipes huh? Let me see, if you smoked 1 pipe each day, that would give each pipe about 15 months of rest. Ya think that's enough?
Seriously, I think we must respect Jim's decision whether we agree with it or not. As we can see, he has an extraordinary collection of historic pipes that have served others well and they deserve the rest and to be just admired.

 

[bhpdrew]

400 plus... I thought I had PAD bad with just over twenty. Absolutely beautiful collection!

 

[unclearthur]

So far I only have one Peterson that I don't smoke. A 38-41 314 I just can't bring myself to use it even though it isn't all that rare .

 

[fred]

Like some, I acquire Pipes to smoke... That being said, there is one

in my modest collection that remains unsmoked. Collecting is a very

personal matter that can show preferences and pleasures. Good for

you Jim! You have the means and opportunity that is an uncommon good

fortune.

 

[ernest]

classicgeek said- "If you have a pipe, and it's never smoked, is it still a pipe?"
I say-"If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck,it must be a duck."

 

[lordnoble]

I have a question about your collection, sandpiper... Why do some of the stems look like they're not pushed in all the way? Is there a purpose for this (i.e. it relieves stress on the tenon, it allows the wood to expand and contract easier, etc.) Thanks.
-Jason

 

[strongirish]

I too have about 450 pipes and I smoke them all. When I rotate back around they are nice and fresh. I think a pipe was made to be smoked. I want to experience each and every one of them. If I don't smoke it, some other smoe will when I am dead and gone. I could get hit by a bus tomorrow, I am going to enjoy what I have.

 

[cortezattic]

Simon, excellent thought ! That enormous collection is so much more than just so many pipes.

 

[igloo]

At some point in time a pipe becomes a work of art , rather than a tool . This is when it becomes something to be viewed rather than used . This is a rare thing when God and carver become one and enhance natures gifts .

 

[hauntedmyst]

I smoke all of my pipes save 1 because its the most beautiful pipe I have but its not a good smoker. That being said, I completely understand not smoking some pipes if they are really special pieces of history or art. As dear as they are to me, none of them fall into either category.