Pipe Tobacco in the 1920s

[Professor B]

My grandfather (who passed pipe smoking on to his son and grandson) was in his 20s in the 1920s. (I have one his Kaywoodies from the 1940s.) I asked him once what the old timers smoked back in the early 20th century. He told me most pipe tobacco back in the 1920s had a sarsaparilla flavor.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

 

[ashdigger]

I’ve had a few cutter top tins of Capstan Blue from the 20’s. Then you have Prince Albert and other “Pocket Tin” Blends. Tobacco was plentiful in the 1920’s. All kinds, shapes and forms. Plug, Shag, Ribbon and Flake.

I’m sure whatever the drug store around the corner had is what most folks smoked.

 

[verporchting]

Agree with that, for sure. I also think if you ask 10 different people for their taste impressions you’ll get 13 different answers. Add 100 years, distorted memories and changes in the crop, manufacturers and processes you’d get 315 different answers. None of them right or wrong necessarily.

 

[anotherbob]

I imagine in a lot of ways what people smoked was more regional then it is these days.

 

[trouttimes]

PA was all my granddad smoked. We had empty flip top cans all over the ranch, at the cow camps, at his favorite fishing holes, etc.

 

[Sloopjohnbee]

Sarsparilla was deertongue - vanilla-esque soda - soda could be from the orientals too -London Dock comes to mind

 

[Prunetucky84]

My grandfather (who passed pipe smoking on to his son and grandson) was in his 20s in the 1920s. (I have one his Kaywoodies from the 1940s.) I asked him once what the old timers smoked back in the early 20th century. He told me most pipe tobacco back in the 1920s had a sarsaparilla flavor.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Sounds about right, as Mixture 79 with its vanilla and anise casing, smells and tastes like root beer after it’s aired out for a few days. I happen to love it, but know very well it’s one of the most polarized blends of all time, and it’s been around forever!

 

[sablebrush52]

There was a wide variety of tobacco blends available in the 1920's and earlier. Some were well known names ike Capstan, Three Nuns, Dunhill, St Bruno, Ogdens, Gawith, Ries, Peretti, Wilke, and Sobranie Original Smoking Mixture, etc. Many others were blends made by the local tobacconists, bespoke blends, OTC's, and blends of every possible description.
When one looks at mail order catalogues of the period one sees that the picture was much more varied than the quaint image of gents sitting around the pickle barrel smoking corn silk.

 

[anotherbob]

Sounds about right, as Mixture 79 with its vanilla and anise casing, smells and tastes like root beer after it’s aired out for a few days. I happen to love it, but know very well it’s one of the most polarized blends of all time, and it’s been around forever!

sounds really great actually.

 

[Grangerous]

One can only imagine how they suffered.......

“Get your father’s slippers and then be quiet, he’s ready to take his pipe now...”

“Sure you won’t have another sammich, while I get the kids to bed?”

Burley. Burley. Burley. Burley.

 

[Prunetucky84]

sounds really great actually.

It’s worth a try if you haven’t had it before. It’s history and heritage in your bowl.

 

[condorlover1]

Goodness the good old 1920s. That great time when everyone smoked a pipe and blends were plentiful, women had just started shaving their legs and you could still get change out of a cent!

 

[shermnatman]

...quaint image of gents sitting around the pickle barrel smoking corn silk...

Fantastic imagery!... and, he paints with words, too! I love a choice turn-of-phrase which throws a perfect imagine into the mind upon reading. - Sherm Natman

 

[anotherbob]

Goodness the good old 1920s. That great time when everyone smoked a pipe and blends were plentiful, women had just started shaving their legs and you could still get change out of a cent!

and kids still dropped like flies and you had to buy your liquor from gangsters.

 

[Casual]

and you had to buy your liquor from gangsters.

I have to buy liquor from the provincial government, so technically...

 

[anotherbob]

I have to buy liquor from the provincial government, so technically...

they're slightly less likely to shot you. And their opinion on rats is more positive.

 

[jpberg]

My grandfather (who passed pipe smoking on to his son and grandson) was in his 20s in the 1920s. (I have one his Kaywoodies from the 1940s.) I asked him once what the old timers smoked back in the early 20th century. He told me most pipe tobacco back in the 1920s had a sarsaparilla flavor.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

What year was your grandfather born?

 

[Raylan]

"and you had to buy your liquor from gangsters. " Because the beneficent government banned it.