I'm Flabbergasted

[kanaia]

Was out at the park smoking some Frog Morton and some older gentleman came up to me saying that he just loved the smell. We talked for a while and he said that he used to smoke Balkan Sobranie. He also said that he had quit the pipe some 20 something years ago. Then he asked me if I had ever smoked Balkan Sobranie? I said no I haven't and that it is not made anymore. He then told me that he still had a one pound can of it. I said is it sealed? He said yes it was. Of course I asked him his intentions on it, and said I would be most interested in purchasing said one pound can. Problem is he lives in Ohio and he is in the pacific northwest on a vacation. I asked him to email me a picture when he gets home and again told him I would most likely buy it. He also said he has some pipes he would be interested in selling made by some guy that worked at NASA. I hope it happens but I did not know Balkan Sobranie came in one pound cans. Can anybody confirm that it did.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

The still make it, but it is not what it was like before, or so I am told.
The pipe he must be referring to is "The Pipe". There was a thread on these some time back. I believe Roth may own one.

 

[pipestud]

Howdy kanaia, I hesitate to use the word never most of the time when it comes to pipe tobacco tins, but I am almost positive that the Balkan Sobranie 759 eight ounce tins produced between 1971 and 1978 are the largest tins the House of Sobranie ever produced. This information comes from terrific and separate research conducted by Jon Guss and the late John Loring. I have copies of the research materials by both of those gentlemen and would be happy to share them with you. Just email me at pipestud@aol.com anytime if you would like to see that material.
I suspect that since it was so long ago the older gentleman may have just mis-spoken. If what he has is an eight ounce tin and it is still sealed, please tell him that he doesn't have to send me any pictures and that I have a C-note I'm ready to give him for it! In today's market, I'd be able to flip a rare tin like that for $800-$1,000 easy.
On a serious note, if you can get your hands on that tin... well, get your hands on it!
Pipestud

 

[kanaia]

pipestud: I asked him numerous times if he was sure it was a one pounder and he said he was sure because he would always have to buy two from his tobacconist to make sure he would get some. But he is 80. Thanks for the input.

roth:no I did not get his information it just didn't feel right if you know what I mean.

 

[hunterwold1]

Excellent find. Never heard of the "NASA" pipe connection. Sounds interesting.

 

[mso489]

Wow, what a cliff-hanger. I hope it is "to be continued."

 

[tacoman]

FYI, Jon Guss's Balkan Sobranie study is available on Neil Archer Roan's site apassionforpipes.com, under the Vintages Project. John Loring's research is available on loringpage.com, under Pipes, Tobaccos, and Related Articles.