So my grandfather's house burnt down last year, but 13 carousels of slides were sufficiently free of fire/water damage as to be worth preservation. I've since had them digitized. It's a kick for me to see all these men in my family with pipes. Here's a small sample. Hope you enjoy it too:
My (paternal) grandfather, the one whose house is toast, and to whom I promptly sent a treasured old family pipe (he still smokes) even though he's not allowed in his new assisted living place. He's 97. Photo circa mid-60s.
My other (maternal) grandfather, who died back in '97. He was the best. I'd love to figure out what he's smoking here. It looks like just my kind of pipe. Photo circa late 70s.
Same grandfather again (with his sister-in-law on left; my grandmother on right). Photo circa mid-80s.
And my favorites of this set -- my dad, circa 1976. I still have the pipe he's smoking. It's an E. Wilke, probably a basket model because it has a really big (unfilled) flaw in it, or a pit that later turned into a vertical crack. Regardless, it's got a cool shape, a kind of diamond-panelled shank and stem ending in a big fat apple. It also has some nice vertical grain and best of all, is a terrific smoker.
And again with my sister.
My (paternal) grandfather, the one whose house is toast, and to whom I promptly sent a treasured old family pipe (he still smokes) even though he's not allowed in his new assisted living place. He's 97. Photo circa mid-60s.
My other (maternal) grandfather, who died back in '97. He was the best. I'd love to figure out what he's smoking here. It looks like just my kind of pipe. Photo circa late 70s.
Same grandfather again (with his sister-in-law on left; my grandmother on right). Photo circa mid-80s.
And my favorites of this set -- my dad, circa 1976. I still have the pipe he's smoking. It's an E. Wilke, probably a basket model because it has a really big (unfilled) flaw in it, or a pit that later turned into a vertical crack. Regardless, it's got a cool shape, a kind of diamond-panelled shank and stem ending in a big fat apple. It also has some nice vertical grain and best of all, is a terrific smoker.
And again with my sister.