Pipe theft! APB!

[drunkblowhard]

My boss/friend/pipe-smoking-buddy recently took his wife to Europe for their first anniversary.
While in Belgium drinking delicious beers and eating delicious fries (as one is supposed to do in Belgium) some low-life scoundrel smashed out the window of their rental car and stole everything that wasn't nailed down. Laptop, iPad, clothes, etc...
While that is a real kick in teeth, those things can be replaced. But that SOB also snatched my friend's pipe bag. And inside was his brand new, one-off Baki Meershcaum.
I'm posting about it here because I know some of you dedicated PAD sufferers spend tons of free time scouring eBay for pipes, and on the off chance this theif is dumb enough to try to sell it, I would love to recover it for him.
It's a Baki basket weave, and its instantly easy to spot because it has an irregular rim. It's a true one-off. This thing is real gem. I watched him agonize for weeks about whether or not to buy it, and was so happy for him when he pulled the trigger on it. And then some animal stole it. Ugh.
I'm going to see if I can dig up a photo of it and post it, just so you all know exactly what it looks like. It's a seriously beautiful pipe.
If anyone sees something fitting that description listed online anywhere, I would be beyond grateful for a heads up.
Thanks and cheers.

 

[jvnshr]

I check pipes on ebay regularly, just post a picture of it, in case of seeing it I will let you know mate.

 

[papipeguy]

That is a real shame. I wonder if his insurance will even cover the losses since it happened out of the country. I suppose the odds of getting anything back are nil. My best wishes for the pipe showing up somewhere that will lead to the perp.

 

[brudnod]

I only travel with pipes that are replaceable and which will not be lamented if lost. That being said, hopefully your friend reported it to the authorities, who are frequently less than helpful - depending on country, to have documentation to submit to the [likely] unsympathetic insurance company...

 

[huntertrw]

APB: All Pipes Bulletin?
I'm sorry to hear of your friend's loss of his new Baki pipe. May the thief be cursed with eternal tongue-bite, ghosting, and gurgling!

 

[fitzy]

I'm sorry to hear that. It really sucks.
I was actually all excited thinking this post was announcing part 4 of The Case Of The Missing Pipe by Marshall "Butch" Armstrong.

 

[edgreen]

While searching for pipe art I frequently browse the catalogs of auction houses in Europe and will also look for it there.

 

[drunkblowhard]

Thanks guys. Really appreciate it. I know it's a long shot.
I found a picture of the pipe and as soon as I figure out how to post the damn thing, I will.
Cheers!

 

[pcr1]

Terrible! Pretty bad when somebody stoops that low.

 

[drunkblowhard]

So I have a picture of the pipe on my iPad and am not smart enough to post it on the forum. Any Good Samaritan out there willing to post it here if I email it to you?

 

[shaintiques]

Pm sent

 

[mso489]

Hope someone spots it and can track it back and get law enforcement to follow-up. He should get photos and paperwork together and copy a package to back up the claim. If the guy were smart enough to know what he had and know how to sell it on ebay, he might not be breaking out car windows, but you never know. It could pass through pawn, and fence, private auction, or antique shop and get laundered that way. You never know whether to take your treasures traveling or leave them home. If the thief got a job, he'd likely make more money for less work, but he's "outsmarting" all the honest folks by being fundamentally stupid.

 

[drunkblowhard]

Thanks shaintiques.
I'm sure it's the longest of longshots, it's just such a damned specific pipe because of that irregular rim. It's so quick and easy to recognize if someone were to ever see it.

 

[sjpipesmoker]

That sucks... Another reason not to travel the world... Stolen pipes.

 

[shaintiques]

Sorry forgot to post this. Definitely a gorgeous pipe.

 

[gogosamgo]

Definitely a nice looking pipe... Hope you're able to find it

 

[drunkblowhard]

Thanks Shaintiques!

 

[disinformatique]

There has been an increase in pipe thefts at a lot of pipe events lately. It's sad to know that an honorable community like ours do have its dark side.
If I come across the pipe, will intimate.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Wow, that is a gorgeous pipe.
I just can't imagine a thief thinking that a pipe would be of any value. Before I started smoking pipes, you couldn't pay me enough to even touch someone's nasty used pipe. After years of seeing Grabows and MM cobs in the drug store, I would have assumed that any pipe would be around $50 at best. I had even been smoking pipes for almost a year before I realized that there were pipes for over $100 out there. I find it hard to believe that someone would steal a pipe for anything other than smoking drugs out of.

 

[brewshooter]

I suspect the thief simply saw the pipe bag and grabbed as part of a crime of opportunity. He or she, may have been quite disappointed with the actual haul upon opening, probably hoping for something else.