Keep a pipe unsmoked?

[cosmicfolklore]

I know that some have very strong opinions against people who collect unsmoked pipes and don't smoke them. I just wish that I had the disposable income to do that. I have seen some pipes that I wouldn't mind having and keeping as a work of art, but of course I wish that I had the income to actually collect more art in general.
What someone else does with a pipe that they buy is their business, but I will set idly by seething in my jealousy of those that can afford to do this. However, as Brian pointed out in one of the recent radio shows, you're not going to get a great return for your money on any pipe. You are way better off investing in something with a much better return on your investment.
Knowing that the pipe will not increase drastically or rapidly enough to out run inflation, is it still worth it to you to not smoke? There are some pipes that I have seen that I think that I would still like to own and collect without smoking, but is this particular pipe going to bring you joy in just owning? I think that is the million dollar question.

 

[billypm]

I personally would feel weird if I had pipes and didn't smoke them. I am most decidedly not a collector as such. But I have no problem with those who buy these things for their rarity, historical and aesthetic value, and beauty. It's just a different sport than buying solely to smoke. Some people buy tools to fix things, to hammer nails and turn screws. Some collect vintage tools from days gone by and wouldn't dream of using them. Both are ok by me.

 

[petes03]

To me personally, it wouldn't matter if it were a $16,000 unsmoked Bo Nordh, I would smoke the hell out of it! I could never leave a pipe unsmoked, but to each his own.

 

[sablebrush52]

is this particular pipe going to bring you joy in just owning? I think that is the million dollar question.

This set absolutely is one of those. And, that's why I chose to buy it, even though I'm not going to smoke it.

However, as Brian pointed out in one of the recent radio shows, you're not going to get a great return for your money on any pipe. You are way better off investing in something with a much better return on your investment.

Not why I bought it. But in the instance of these particularly old and rare pieces, those rules don't apply. You won't see these kinds of items on eBay, except by rare and happy accident. It's personal introductions and private transactions.

As for other investments, on average and over time, there are very few passive investments that actually make you money.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

As for other investments, on average and over time, there are very few passive investments that actually make you money.

Gold and silver, my mediums of choice :D But, yes, even they are risky.
I wasn't exactly addressing you, sablebrush, as I would assume that you would know your risks after I've heard you're excellent interview. I was just asking in general.
I have seen and held pipes that I would probably never want to smoke for practical reasons, but just intrigue me enough to want to possess .

 

[sablebrush52]

Hi Cosmic,
This purchase is an anomaly for me. I don't buy pipes that I'm not going to smoke. I just did that, so now I can't say that. One other part in this situation that made the purchase fun for me is that this set is in the Barling catalog that I restored and published. So it's cool to actually have an example from that catalog.

 

[cigrmaster]

saddle, those pipes of yours sound very cool and I totally get why you would not smoke those, I wouldn't either. I buy all my pipes to smoke but who knows, one day I could buy one that I thought was rare and just wanted to look at it.
I think everyone should do what they are comfortable with and if that means keeping pipes to look at, go for it.

 

[drwatson]

I have several pipes that are unsmoked and will stay that way. To me they are more prized this way.

 

[ssjones]

Personally, I have no pipe that I haven't smoked, until today. My pre-1954 unsmoked Kaywoodie showed up. I'm fairly certain I'll be smoking this one, as even given it's age, it just isn't that valuable. But, I will save the first light for a special occasion, I'm thinking my youngest daughters wedding in New Orleans this summer (her future husband is getting an 70's unsmoked GBD from me as a wedding day gift. Hopefully we can enjoy breaking in two old soldiers together.
Jesse: I think that I remember seeing that set. I hope you will do a thread on them.

 

[sablebrush52]

Hi Al,
It's a recent purchase. I'll take some pix when I get time and post them to the Show Me Your Barlings pipe porn thread. As for waxing poetic about the set, I suspect that the members would rather gnaw their wrists open, or more likely mine, than endure that.

 

[ssjones]

Hmm, I suspect many members will look forward to that update!

 

[captainsousie]

I suspect many members will look forward to that update!

+1 I am one of those eagerly looking forward to it.

 

[sablebrush52]

I'm heading North to enjoy a special festival marking the centenary of Charlie Chaplin's Little Tramp character. It's being presented by the San Francisco Silent Film Festival at the Castro Theater. When I get back I'll take some pix and post images of the set.