None of my pipes are on display. They're in pristine condition and I want them to stay that way as long as I own and use them. The pipes are in fitted cases, between 12 and 21 pipes to the case.
I realize that I'm the odd man out with regard to this, but I did find a sort of validation last year when I visited a respected collector of vintage Barlings, and other high grade British pipes and found that he kept exactly zero of his fabulous collection on display. As he explained to me, he spent decades acquiring the finest examples of the rarest pipes and he wasn't going to let exposure damage them. His one exception was when he lent some pieces to be displayed at the Chicago pipe show a few years ago.
I realize that I'm the odd man out with regard to this, but I did find a sort of validation last year when I visited a respected collector of vintage Barlings, and other high grade British pipes and found that he kept exactly zero of his fabulous collection on display. As he explained to me, he spent decades acquiring the finest examples of the rarest pipes and he wasn't going to let exposure damage them. His one exception was when he lent some pieces to be displayed at the Chicago pipe show a few years ago.
