Good question; I'm also curious about the answer to this.
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Marketing plot? I would assume that the book would be of interest to collectors of Castello pipes, and in that sense .... marketing.
On the other hand ... if you want to get a feeling / understanding of the driving forces at play at Castello and what those that work there and head the firm feel in their hearts ... then no, not marketing. It's more of an opening up of Franco's heart and beliefs. What aspects in life and pipes he holds as important.
For those that have met him, spent time with him, and have read the book, it re affirms that the man you met was not putting on a show. His enthusiasm about his company, his family, his team, and the end product, are genuine and sincere.
Sorry, but I really can't explain it any better.
On the other hand ... if you want to get a feeling / understanding of the driving forces at play at Castello and what those that work there and head the firm feel in their hearts ... then no, not marketing. It's more of an opening up of Franco's heart and beliefs. What aspects in life and pipes he holds as important.
For those that have met him, spent time with him, and have read the book, it re affirms that the man you met was not putting on a show. His enthusiasm about his company, his family, his team, and the end product, are genuine and sincere.
Sorry, but I really can't explain it any better.
Summary: It's a good read.
Thanks for the thoughts, Mike! I've added it to my Christmas wishlist.
It was a must have for me. Nothing particularly informative but I enjoyed reading it. The translation was kinda clunky in a google translate way. I wish it had a slipcase to protect the beautiful boards like the Dunhill book.
Take a smooth pipe without flaws but no nice grain. Stain with red covered by black alcohol based stains, give it a nice coating of button shellac, buff to high polish, and you have a Perla Nera. 
I thought the black was made of bugs.Smooth pipe without flaws but no nice grain. Stain with red covered by black alcohol based stains, give it a nice coating of button shellac, buff to high polish, and you have a Perla Nera.
Not the stain... the shellac. Look it up.
p.s. If you want to touch up a black pipe's finish, ink from the permanent marker or fountain pen ink can work well.
Mike I adore that stack! What model # is that ? You also have a spectacular Castello Collection going and I especially love your Opera Line Up
That shape 16 is especially elegant!Mike I adore that stack! What model # is that ? You also have a spectacular Castello Collection going and I especially love your Opera Line Up
Yeah I think the black lacquer is made from ground up bugs.
Dave, I wont even mention your Castello collection as it’s so impressive the World’s Most Interesting Man has a photo of it next to his pipe rack
LoL! I’m still kicking myself for not getting a picture with him in Chicago a couple of years ago!Dave, I wont even mention your Castello collection as it’s so impressive the World’s Most Interesting Man has a photo of it next to his pipe rack
I have seen articles that claim the Perla Nera black stain is derived from cochineal beetles, but the exact composition is a trade secret, and others claim it is likely a mineral-based substance, such as carbon black, or a synthetic aniline dye. It would be cool to find a beater and have the stain analyzed.
I agree with Dave that it is a shape 16 like the one in this Castello shape chart, but without the military mount.Mike I adore that stack! What model # is that ? You also have a spectacular Castello Collection going and I especially love your Opera Line Up
“Ancoretta”, signed Castello, produced in 2023 in a limited edition series of 120 numbered pieces in various finishes in honor of brave fishermen. (The pipe on the far left #66 has the diamond insert on the stem rather than the classic bar and the one with the white stem #24 has a black dot. ) The silver band on each is a treble fish hook with the castle trademark on the back of the band.
They are numbered (L-R) 66/120; 43/120; 30/120; 24/120 and 77/120.
They are numbered (L-R) 66/120; 43/120; 30/120; 24/120 and 77/120.
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New edition to the stable. This is a #33 freehand which is a very welcome addition and its hefty too and very much like the 75th anniversary pipes that came out in size and weight.
I've been trying to find examples of Castello canadians in the natural vergin. I lean towards the 33 in many cases but some that I like don't seem to be 33s. Would you guys call these two Canadians a shape 32 or 33?
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So I have a growing collection of #33’s and they all possess an oval shank and are all about 135mm long with a pot shaped bowl and the bit can vary from very short, say 1/4 of the total shank length up to but not quite 1/2 the shank/bit total. #32’s on the other hand are all about 145mm long and have a billiard shaped bowl mostly with some aesthetic license and their bit is always at or around 1/3 of the shank/bit total. That should be clear as mud for you