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BLOWING SMOKE



May, 1996

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE
ORGANIZATION OF ONLINE PIPE SMOKERS

OoOPS@amug.org
http://www.fujipub.com/ooops

Ray Bromley (rbromley@amug.org), Perpetrator

The Fine Print:

We don't take any responsibility whatsoever for this thing. In fact, we never saw it, honest. OK, maybe we read it once, but that was it. Specifically, Ray Bromley, OoOPS, AMUG, and the Internet as a whole all swear they had nothing to do with this and were all somewhere else at the time. So, you use it at your own risk. We (especially Ray Bromley, OoOPS, and AMUG--the Internet never talks to us anymore) specifically refuse to warrant the information in this newsletter to be free of defects or hidden subliminal messages. We specifically will not pay for any direct or incidental damages caused by this Newsletter or its contents. This disclaimer applies to any damage caused to tobacco, computers (don't put tobacco in your computer, by the way), pipes, floppy disks (don't put floppy disks into your pipe, by the way), lighters, hard disks (don't hold the flame of your lighter near a hard disk, by the way), pipe racks, network servers (as far as I know, pipe racks and network servers are pretty neutral with each other), phone lines, modems (do put a phone line into your modem; this procedure is generally regarded as safe and effective), or any other things you can dream up. In other words, we're washing our hands of this whole mess.

Please respect the privacy of our members. This electronic publication is for distribution to OoOPS members only. If you wish to reproduce it, please delete any personal member profile information before forwarding or printing it for viewing by others. Each submitted item (including every ad and article) is copyright 1996 by the contributor or author, unless otherwise stated. No part may be duplicated or distributed in any form without the expressed written permission of the Editor and/or all contributors. Generally, if you wish to duplicate this stuff we will be so pleased that, when we are revived, we will grant permission and pay for your photocopying.

Submissions of ads, articles, suggestions, changes to the membership directory, or interesting pipe lore or trivia are welcome. Yes, ads are free. Send all such items by e-mail to
OoOPSGroup@aol.com
or
OoOPS@amug.org
by the second weekend of the month, if possible. If you submit something to us, we will pretty much gladly publish it, thus giving you a tiny bit of electronic immortality. Other than that, and the knowledge that you are serving pipedom, we can't pay you anything. OoOPS is so non-profit that we would have to be given donations just to lose money. You can't get blood from a turnip.


CONTENTS


1. JOINING MORTISE TO TENON- Members making connections with others
2. LOADING UP- Resources for members
In this issue, publications about pipes and tobacco!

3. CHARRING LIGHT- Friendly discussion of controversial burning issues

4. DOTTLE- Odds and ends to amuse
Guide to restoring stems
a brief tobacco glossary/spelling guide.


Section 1
Joining MORTISE TO TENON
Advertisements and Notices from members
NOTICE:
If you want items placed in this column to run permanently (in every issue, until the items are found or sold) please let me know when you submit them.

CLUB NEWS


Our club now has a new Internet address that allows bigger files to be sent out to larger numbers of people. This may not sound all that terrific to you, but it may save the fragile sanity of our Membership Coordinator and Newsletter Editor, who are never seen together (suspicious, eh?).

Anyway, the Directory and Blowing Smoke will be sent as big files, rather than little nibbles. If this is a problem for you, just send e-mail to the new OoOPS address:

OoOPS@amug.org


CLUB NEWS!!!!!! (REALLY IMPORTANT, SORT OF)


OoOPS will have a table at the
ANNUAL PIPE SMOKERS NATIONAL CONVENTION,
sponsored by Pipe Collectors International
May 25 and 26
at the Dallas/Ft. Worth Int'l Airport Hyatt Regency Hotel
call (214)669-3087 for convention information (Jack Ehrmantraut)
call (214) 453-1234 for hotel information

Stop by the table, play with our multimedia display, smoke our free samples of Cornell and Diehl tobacco, introduce yourself, and leave a better man or woman for the experience.

We will also have our SECOND ANNUAL UNOFFICIAL NON-VIRTUAL OoOPS MEETING during the convention. On Friday, May 24 at 8:00 pm, everyone is invited to come up to my room in the hotel for free snacks, free beverages, free tobacco, free pipe cleaners, free matches, and all the ice cubes you can carry. We will try to reprise last year's adventure of making the smoke detectors overload with the pungent blue haze of Latakia. We will together tell stories of the pipes that got away, and (if things get dull) we will enjoy a video visit from Richard Hacker. That's either a threat or a promise, depending on how you look at it.

Just call my room at the hotel after 6:00 pm and we will tell you where to come. I will try to let the desk know that it is the OoOPS room as well as Ray Bromley's room.

-submitted by Ray Bromley

INFORMATION

OoOPS plans to have a table at the following show:
THE 1996 WEST COAST PIPE & CIGAR EXPO
Dates: Saturday and Sunday, July 27th and 28th

The Los Angeles Airport Sheraton Hotel
6101 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, California
Door Prizes, Cigar Smoking Contests, Dozens of Exhibitors
Special Guest, Sir Richard Carleton Hacker, author of The Ultimate Pipe Book and The Ultimate Cigar book. Our Banquet on Saturday, July 27th
Hotel rooms: $79+tax per night single/double
For room reservations call toll-free (800) 445-7999 by July 6th.
You MUST mention the EXPO to receive hotel room discount!

GENERAL ADMISSION: $3.00
HOTEL PARKING: $6.00 per day (special EXPO rate)
GOURMET BUFFET BANQUET: $45.00 per Person

EXHIBIT SPACE IS AVAILABLE! For more information please contact:
Steve Johnson, 1532 South Bundy Drive, Apt. D, Los Angeles, CA 90025
PHONE: (310) 820-9706


INFORMATION/GREETINGS


From February, 1996:

Ray, I'm really pleased to announce the final details of the 1996 Ohio
Pipe Collectors swap/sell pipe show (pipes only; no cigars) on Saturday,
Sept. 14, 1996 at the Holiday Inn on Lane Ave. in Columbus. This is the
same location as last year, but we have increased the space by half again,
with room for 65 dealer tables. Again, there will be no admission charge
for the public. Dealer tables are $25 until June 1, $30 thereafter, first
come first served. As Neil Murray recorded so well, in words and pictures,
in his Agricultural and Mechanical Gazette, last year's show was a huge
success. We're getting a much earlier start this year and are expecting a
much bigger and better show.

The Holiday Inn (614-294-4848) is offering a special rate of $69 for show
attendees for single, double, triple and quadruple rooms, so for all who
plan to come, get your reservation in early and troll for others to share a
room with you.

Having gone over 100 members last year, we are shooting for 200 this year
(dues only $12 per year, pro-rated for new members). As always, anyone
interested in joining the OPC should contact me for a complimentary
newsletter. Our mailing address is Ohio Pipe Collectors, P.O. Box 9642,
Columbus OH 43209. Thanks for your help.

If you've got one pipe, you're a pipe smoker. If you've got more than
one, you're a pipe collector.
Bill Unger
Secretary, Ohio Pipe Collectors

* WANTED * WANTED * WANTED * WANTED * WANTED *

INFORMATION DESIRED
From: John Tolle, jtolle@freenet.columbus.oh.us

I am in the process of writing books on GBDs and Charatans and would
appreciate any assistance that Ooops members may have with respect to
obtaining old literature, in particular old "Smokers Havens" store GBD
catalogs from Columbus, Ohio. All literature will of course be returned to
the members. The books will be illustrated and include styles, models,
numbers, and grades-thus the need to document via literature, in addition
to just memory. I am also taking photos of pipes, so if any members have
collections that they think they may wish to have some included, please
get hold of me. Full credit will be given if they wish to be acknowledged.
Thanks in advance for the assistance.
John

* WANTED * WANTED * WANTED * WANTED * WANTED *

MORE INFORMATION WANTED

From: Richard Moss, rcm@montego.com

I deal in antiques and recently found an interesting pipe that I cannot
find any information about. The name on the pipe is Bruyers(last three
letters are worn) and it also says Garanite. it has numbers on it also.

Description:

Three parts

mouthpiece connected to shaft (mouth piece and top of shaft (plastic-i
think bakelight) shaft looks like birch

Base has two parts where the shaft and pipe bowl fit into. It is made
with same material as the bowl (garanite?)

The bowl is about two" with top that closes. top also has small air holes
in it. The bowl and the shaft are connected with a piece of string and
has two silver fabric balls attached.

When the pipe is together is is about 14" long.

I found this pipe in what I think is the original box made of plastic of
plastic and the pipe itself has never been used.

Can you tell me anything or can you refer me to someone that may be able
to give me some information about it.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give.

Sincerely,


Richard Moss


* WANTED * WANTED * WANTED * WANTED * WANTED *

ADVICE

From: mhill@iavbbs.com (M.HILL)

I am very new to pipe smoking. I have been smoking cigarettes and cigars
for about 10 years now, and have always loved the taste, feel and smell
of a pipe. I bought my first pipe about 4 months ago and I am hooked i
find the taste incredible and would like to use my pipe all the time,
however at present pipe smoking seems to have some kind of `cloud' over
it.Right now I have a straight pipe and I do not find it very
comfortable to hold in my mouth for long periods. do you have any
suggestions for a `virgin smoker'?
I am currently using "Paul Spaniolas new black Italian vanilla"and
"Spaniola's ultra light blend no. 91473

Any advice would be gratefully accepted

Mark
___________________________________________
* WANTED * WANTED * WANTED * WANTED * WANTED *

From: Hughey, Johnny D.(JHUGHE07), JHUGHE07@apsc.com

I WOULD LIKE TO BUY -
3X or larger Ashton Sovereign bent bull dog with a diamond tapered stem
(i.e. not saddle-bit). Brown vulcanite stem. (smoked or unsmoked)

___________________________________________
* WANTED * WANTED * WANTED * WANTED * WANTED *

From: Steve Byrne, sbyrne1@mail.permet.net

I am interested in purchasing an Edwards Husky Commodore. These pipes were probably
discontinued 15-20 years ago. This is a large pipe with a flat bottom which rests on a
table, too large to hold between your teeth for very long without removing the pipe or
some teeth. The outer diameter of the top of the bowl is less than or equal to the base.
If any one has one which they would like to sell, I would be interested in having the
opportunity to buy. Thanks.

Steve Byrne

[steve_byrne.parti@ecunet.org]



* FOR SALE * FOR SALE * FOR SALE * FOR SALE * FOR SALE *

From: sedona@instanet.com (Christopher C. Sotere)

Hello
I am trying to introduce my new business, Sedona Treasures. We specialize
in Southwest Art, etc... and we also have n extensive collection of hand
crafted Pipes. These pipes are carved from a very well known Artist
Robert Langford. Our website is at http://www.sedonatreasures.com

My name is Christopher Sotere and my E-mail is sedona@instanet.com
Please feel free to drop me a note if anyone may have any suggestions for
me to get our products known to pipe lovers and collectors. I am sure
they will like the detail in our Pipes.
Thank you in advance for any help.

Regards,

Christopher C. Sotere

* FOR SALE * FOR SALE * FOR SALE * FOR SALE * FOR SALE *

From: iannini@embratel.net.br (Sergio Iannini - SFI Communications)

Dear SAPC Members!
Good news: Our special SAPC Pipe is ready to shipping!
Please advise if you want one .
Best regards,
Sergio.

VISIT OUR INTERNET HOME PAGE ON WWW:
http://www.brnet.com.br/callback/callback.html
Our services: WorldAxxess Travel Card, Callback, DirectConnexx and
Pre-paid Calling Cards

Return to Contents


Section 2
LOADING UP


Listed below are some sources of INFORMATION. This may be the most important pipe accessory there is. Many people have differing opinions on what "good" information is, so I am going to tell you up front that this is a sort of biased list of publications that are available in most areas, either by subscription, or in used book stores, or in tobacco stores. If you have sources you think ought to be on the list, please let me know and I will add them to the list next time it appears in the newsletter. You can never have too much information.

*************************

*************************
THE Internet publication concerning pipes is Steve Masticola's PIPES DIGEST. If there is a late-breaking issue in the pipe or cigar world, someone will post an article about it in Pipes Digest. The Digest is sort of a moderated bulletin board, sent out as e-mail to subscribers. Thus, it is essentially a collection of letters written by folks who have an opinion to express. The result is sort of a pipe smokers' town hall. Usually, if someone gives misinformation, someone else will later correct him. But not always. Still, Pipes Digest always provides food for thought, and you can't beat the price (ZIP).
You can subscribe and view back issues on the TERRIFIC web page (maintained by Steve Beaty) at
http://www.tacoma.net/~pipes
Or you can write to
masticol@scr.siemens.com


alt.smokers.pipes
If you have a news reader, you really ought to subscribe to this newsgroup. It IS a pipe smokers' town hall.

*************************

*************************

THE COMPLEAT SMOKER is a magazine that is out of print. Still, there are copies of this early 1990's publication sitting in tobacco shops all over the country. You might want to keep your eyes peeled.

****

PIPE FRIENDLY is dedicated to the "preservation and promotion of the pipe in whatever form." Edited by OoOPS member Joel Farr, this publication is less flashy than some of the others. However, it is full of useful information for smokers and collectors alike, with articles written by well-known pipe collectors and retailers. Detailed articles about pipe brands appear in every issue. So do no-holds-barred discussions of pipe smoking/collecting issues. Sometimes, this produces controversy, but PF makes up in guts what it may lack in glitz. Devotion to the pipe hobby comes through in every page of every issue. Subscriptions are $10 per year.
J. Galloway Co./Pipe Friendly
P.O. Box 13781
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 549-0439

****

THE PIPE SMOKER'S EPHEMERIS is really a collection of letters dealing with various pipe-related subjects, including books, Sherlock Holmes, antiques, lighters, and others. It is a print version of an electronic bulletin-board. It is supported entirely by voluntary contributions, and subscribing makes you a member of The Universal Coterie of Pipe Smokers. The editor is Tom Dunn, who always seems to find interesting tidbits in the oddest places.
Tom Dunn, Editor/Publisher
20-37 120th St.
College Point, NY 11356

****

The new magazine PIPES AND TOBACCO is the slickest thing in pipedom, if the first issue is any indication. It is the first attempt at a color pipe smokers' magazine since the COMPLEAT SMOKER, and it really is well done. Great color photographs and well-written articles peppered the premier edition. Subscriptions are $12 per year.
SpecComm International, Inc.
3000 Highwoods Blvd., Suite 300
Raleigh, NC 27604-1029
(919)872-5040

****

SMOKE magazine is really for all smokers, pipes and cigars. Still, it has some good articles on pipes, and is quite a "hip" publication. It has plenty of articles on things like cars, wines, liquor, clothes, music, culture and other hedonistic pursuits as well. Subscriptions are $14 per year.
Lockwood Publications
135 West 41st. St., Suite 1050
NY, NY 10036
(212) 391-2060
cigar bar@aol.com
http://www.smokemag.com


*************************

In this section, I list only some books which might be considered general pipe or tobacco books. Volumes such as Alfred Dunhill's _The Pipe Book_, which deal with special topics (such as antique pipes) are not discussed here.
*************************

ALL ABOUT TOBACCO (1970, Sherman National, NY), by Milt Sherman, deals primarily with pipe tobacco. Extensive descriptions of different tobaccos and their characteristics are given, and the production of commercial tobacco is also detailed. There is a basic section on pipes (with illustrations of pipe shapes), and another on cigars. If you are interested in blending your own tobacco, or if you are curious about how tobacco products are made, this book may provide some enlightenment. It lacks an index, which would make it a great reference work. It is not currently in print, but used copies might be had for $10 or so.

****

THE BOOK OF PIPES AND TOBACCO (1974, Random House, NY), by Carl Ehwa, is informative. More than that, however, it is delightful. Color and black-and-white photographs of pipes, tobacco, and tobacco art abound. It is less geared towards beginners than Weber's book, and has far less information for collectors than Hacker's book, but it explodes with the joys of pipe smoking. As the title implies, it also deals a bit more with tobacco than the other books. The index in this volume makes it ideal for quick references concerning tobacco, and some of the more popular pipe brands, but it is far from encyclopedic. Still, if you can pick up this book and resist the urge to light a pipe, you are stronger willed than I. Since it is out of print, you may have trouble finding it; I have seen copies selling for $35-$75.

****

THE GENTLE ART OF SMOKING (1954, Max Reinhardt, London), by Alfred Dunhill, is actually about all forms of smoking, but most of the focus is on pipes. Most of the book is devoted to the history of the pipe, and the production of tobacco. Pipe production and care are the subject of 38 of the book's 141 pages. However, if the history of pipes (and smoking) is of interest, this is a brief and pleasant introduction.

****

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE PIPE (1994, Harold Starke Publishers, Suffolk, England), by Alexis Liebaert and Alain Maya is informative and beautiful. While less of a reference resource than _The Ultimate Pipe Book_, it does boast a comprehensive index, and a very nice resource guide in an appendix. It also contains some brief background history on many popular pipe making firms. Information on pipe use, pipe care, and tobacco is fairly complete. _The Illustrated history of the Pipe_, with exquisite photographs of pipes, pipe making, and tobacco, might be called "The Ultimate Coffee Table Pipe Book." However, art does not come cheaply, and this book sells for over $75.

****

THE PIPE (various versions), by Georges Herment, deals quite a bit with the history of pipes, but it does contain some basic information that may help the beginner. _The Pipe_ has some helpful diagrams (such as that showing pipe shapes), but also contains a few confusing illustrations of such practices as covering the bowl of a pipe with paper before lighting it, using nails hammered into a wall as a pipe-rack, and lighting a pipe sideways (which the author advises against). The book deals with pipe smoking and care in great detail, and if you need a book that devotes over 8 pages (with illustrations) to the char (cake) in a pipe, then this is the book for you. Used copies of the book sell for around $10.

****

THE ULTIMATE PIPE BOOK (1989, Autumngold Publishing, Beverly Hills, CA), by Richard C. Hacker, is packed with information. Here you will find information concerning the history of pipes, brands of pipes, collecting pipes, accessories for pipes, break-in of pipes, burning of pipes, famous men who smoked pipes, women who smoke pipes, horses who smoked pipes, and even machines that smoke pipes. This book is clearly written for those who think they might want to collect pipes. It certainly will stimulate that impulse, and serve as a handy reference when one is starting to collect. In addition to a fairly extensive (if not exhaustive) cataloging of nearly 100 pipe makers, the book contains many black-and-white photos (but no color ones). The only thing preventing this book from being a useful reference tool is the unfortunate absence of an index. There are several versions of the book, each concentrating on pipes of interest to the smoker in a different country. TUPB is probably the easiest pipe book to get your hands on, and sells for under $30 in the U.S.

****

WEBER'S GUIDE TO PIPES AND PIPE SMOKING (1965, Rutledge Books, NY), by Carl Weber, is a pleasant little book with most of the basic information one needs to get started on the way to pipe knowledge. It is also the least expensive pipe book you can buy, to my knowledge, which certainly endears it to me. For about $5, you get some history, some poetry, some knowledge about pipe shapes, information concerning tobacco, and some pretty down-to-earth pipe do's and don'ts. This book is full of aids to the tyro, but old-timers will find it fun as well.

*****

Return to Contents


Section 3.
The CHARRING LIGHT


A CALL FOR FLAMES
The purpose of this section of the newsletter is to get people on their feet (metaphorically, of course, but feel free to actually stand if you want). It is hoped that The CHARRING LIGHT will draw us into a civilized debate concerning pipe related issues that might not come up in other places or contexts. Giving one's own opinion on an issue and reading the conflicting views of others may produce heat (flames, CHARRING, get it?) but it may also produce enLIGHTenment.


*******
*******
BURNING QUESTION Does the grain pattern on a pipe really make any difference in the flavor, heat, moisture, or the way the pipe smokes? For example, does a straight grain actually taste or smoke different from a bird's-eye?

From: cbasso@ix.netcom.com (Charles L. Basso Jr.)
To: OoOPSGroup@aol.com.It.has.been.postulated.that.the better the.grain.in.a.pipe.bowl
the better it will smoke. I opine that this is true, but the effect
has more to do with the manufacture of the pipe than the perfection of
the briar. The quality of the wood is of course important, but...
Consider a perfect straight-grain briar ebauchon. Were you a
pipemaker, would you not give extra-special attention to the carving of
a pipe from this piece? Or if you directed a pipemaking concern,
wouldn't you send this piece to your best carver? These carvers would
of course produce a superior smoking instrument, a natural consequence
of their great skill. We are more careful in the cooking of _filet
mignon_ than hamburgers, yet both are beef. I think the difference is
primarily in the workmanship and care which go into the pipe - *fine
materials merit and encourage fine work*.
That being said, I find no real difference in smoking quality
between straight, flame, birds-eye, or mixed grain - provided they are
made to the same level of excellence.

Regards from Toledo,
Chuck


Back to Contents


Section 4

DOTTLE- Odds and ends to amuse


I'm no expert on this subject, but a friend's inquiry started me on the search for the perfect stem buffing. I think the best job possible is done with a buffing wheel and a collection of abrasive compounds, including tripoli. Most pipe shops can do this for you, and many will do it for free if they are not busy. Alternatively, you can buy a grinding wheel and put a buffing attachment on it, buy the compounds, and try the job yourself.

However, you can produce just as nice a result with a little bit of hand rubbing and simple household materials:

1. Remove any areas of oxidation and discoloration using a moderately abrasive compound or substance. This can be a moistened rag with household cleanser (Bon Ami powder, Comet, etc.). Even better is to gently use some sandpaper (starting with 150 grit or so), steel wool (0), or plastic wool sanding pads. All of these are available in the paint sections of hardware stores and home centers.

2. If using the sandpaper, steel wool, or plastic wool, lightly rub the oxidized areas with finer and finer abrasive. You might try working up to about 400 grit on the sandpaper, and 0000 on the steel wool. The finest abrasive level you can get in the plastic buffing pads are designated as polishing pads (usually they are white), and these are ideal for leading into the next step. By the way, the plastic pads have the advantage that you can use them wet or under running water if you prefer not to have brown rubber dust all over.

3. Buff the now clean (but matte-finished) stem to a shine using a mild polishing abrasive. Very fine pumice or rottenstone will suffice. Just as good, and probably more convenient to get, is tobacco ashes (the light, fluffy gray kind)!!! Very slightly moisten a cloth or paper towel (just enough to get the ashes to adhere), and put the ashes on the cloth. Then, rub the stem with the cloth until the desired shine is achieved. Yes, you will feel stupid for a few seconds, but you will soon see the glass-like gleam you long for.

By the way, the tobacco-ash polishing method also works well on silver bands and other metal mountings. Member Bob Keyes gets credit for showing me how to recycle those ashes.

I hope this helps you. I practiced this method on three horribly oxidized pipe stems. It took a little care and elbow grease, but now they look great. My friend reports excellent results as well.

-Ray


A GUIDE TO SOME PIPE VOCABULARY

In the interest of making the Membership Directory more useful, I have gone through and standardized the spelling of some of the tobacco and pipe terms used by members in their biographies. Thus, if you use the following spellings when searching for members with a particular interest, you might be able to find them more readily. You can also use this as a miniature glossary of pipe terms, although it is far from exhaustive.

Alpha
Formerly U.S. name for Israeli pipes made in "Shalom" factory. Now name of pipes made by U.S. firm Mastercraft.

Amorelli
Italian pipe-making firm (established 1986). Symbol: gold bar lining up stem and shank

Ardor
Italian pipe-making firm. Symbol: silver circle with blue center

Armellini
see Mario Armellini

Arturo Fuente
cigar brand

Ascorti
Italian pipe-making firm (established 1978). Symbol: white letter "A" on stem

Ashton
English pipe-making firm. Symbol: silver circle with briar center

Astley's
English pipe-making firm

Baffra
Oriental tobacco grown in north-central Turkey; medium-bodied, red tobacco.Not as flavorsome as Samsun.

Baldo Baldi
Italian pipe-maker

Bari
Danish pipe-making firm

Barling
English pipe-making firm. Symbol: "Barling" spelled out twice in a cross

Basma
class of Oriental tobacco grown in Greece; usually very sweet.

BBB
English pipe-making firm. Symbol: three Bs in a diamond, white diamond on stem.

Becker, Fritz
Italian pipe-maker (established 1982)

Ben Wade
English and Danish pipe label; name used for Charatan seconds and some Preben Holm pipes (Established in England in 1860; discontinued in 1988)

Big Ben
Dutch pipe brand

bird's-eye
pattern of wood grain containing concentric circles resembling birds' eyes.

Bjarne
Danish pipe-maker (established 1973). Symbol: letters "bj" on stem.

Black Cavendish
Cavendish tobacco which has been steamed to darken it.

Bob Hamlin
U.S. pipe and tobacco dealer

Bonfiglioli
Alberto Bonfiglioli, Italian pipe-maker, OoOPS member, and nice guy. Symbol: triangle on stem

Borkum Riff
Danish pipe tobacco

Boswell
U.S. pipe maker

Brebbia
Italian pipe-making firm (established 1948). Symbol: brass diamond outline on stem.

briar
pipe making material

Burak
U.S. pipe-maker

burley
tobacco grown primarily in the United States; contains little natural sugar and a neutral taste; ranges in body from mild to medium. Light to dark brown in color.

Butera
U.S. pipe-maker

Butz-Choquin
French pipe-making firm (established 1858); the biggest and oldest in France; one of the biggest in the world, making pipes for other brands. Symbol: "BC" in a circle.

calabash
pipe with a meerschaum bowl which is held in a large dried gourd

Calich
Canadian (Ontario) pipe maker

Caminetto
Italian pipe-making firm. Symbol: moustache

CAO
meerschaum pipe importer

Capitello
Italian pipe-making firm

Carey
U.S. tobacco dealer

Castello
Italian pipe-making firm. Symbol: "gemstone" in side of stem or white bar running parallel to stem.

Cavendish
tobacco which has been flavored and pressed (often for months). US, Dutch, and Danish Cavendish is generally made from burley and Virginia; English Cavendish is usually made with Virginia, which does not absorb as much flavoring as burley. Danish and Dutch Cavendish is made by steaming the tobacco before adding flavoring, which allows more flavorings to be absorbed.

Chacom
see Chapuis-Comoy

Chapuis-Comoy
French pipe-making firm, selling pipes under name "Chacom". Symbol: "CC"

Charatan
English pipe-making firm (established 1863). Symbol: "CP"

churchwarden
pipe with very long stem

Comoy's
English pipe-making firm (established in France 1825, moved to England 1879). Symbol: white letter "C" in black circle.

Cooke
U.S. pipe-makers

Cornell and Diehl
U.S. tobacco manufacturer

Craig Tarler
owner of Cornell and Diehl tobacco

Custombilt
U.S.pipe maker

Cyprian
Oriental tobaccos grown on Cyprus; typically Smyrna varieties, including Latakia.

Davidoff
Swiss tobacco retailer (pipes since 1974)

Djebel
Oriental tobacco of the Basma variety; sweet and nutty, with a milder aroma than most Xanthi. Djebel refers to Basma tobacco grown in the mountains.

Dobie
Danish tobacco producer

Don Carlos
Italian pipe-making firm

Dr. Grabow
An inexpensive, popular pipe brand made in U.S. by Mastercraft, often sold in drug and variety stores

Dubek
Oriental tobacco of the Basma variety; very sweet and nutty.

Dunhill
English tobacco retailer (established 1907). Symbol: small white circle ("spot") on stem

Erik
Karl Erik, Danish pipe-maker

Eriksson
Danish pipe maker

Erinmore
Irish tobacco brand

Escudo
English pipe tobacco (no longer made)

Esoterica Tobacciana
English tobacco importer

Falcon
English pipe with interchangeable bowls (originally produced in U.S.)

Ferndown
Name of pipe produced by L.&J.S. Briars, English pipe-makers (established 1983) Symbol: "LJS" stamped in gold on stem

Flyin'Dutchman
Dutch pipe tobacco

Fonseca
cigar brand; port wine brand

freehand
pipe of non-traditional shape

GBD
French/English pipe-maker (since 1981, all pipes have been made in England-established in France in 1850). symbol: gold oval with letters "GBD"

Germain (J. F. Germain and Son)
English tobacco producer

Grenci
Italian pipe-maker (no longer in operation)

Hardcastle
English brand of pipes (owned by Dunhill, and often used for Dunhill "seconds")

Hedegaard
Danish pipe-maker

Hemingway
cigar line of Arturo Fuente

hookah
water pipe; also see narghile

Huybrecht
English pipe-making firm

Il Ceppo
Italian pipe-making firm

Ivarssen
Danish pipe-making firm

Izmir
tobacco-growing region of western Turkey; Smyrna is an Izmir tobacco

Jandrew
U.S. pipe-making firm

Jensen
Danish pipe-making firm (established 1954)

Jobey
U.S. pipe-making firm, also imports

Kabik
U.S. pipe maker

Kavalla
Oriental tobacco of the Basma variety; sweet and nutty, a medium-strength Oriental.

Kaywoodie
U.S. pipe-making firm, also imports

Kilarney
pipe line of Peterson

Kirsten
U.S. pipe-making firm; pipes with interchangeable bowls

Larsen
Danish pipe-making firm (established 1864), now overseen by W.O. Larsen

Latakia
Smyrna type Oriental tobacco cured by the smoke of herb and wood fires; a black, heady tobacco with a nutty, smoky flavor. Produced in Cyprus and parts of Greece, it originated in Syria, where dwindling wood supplies forced cessation of its production.

Liverpool
long-shanked pipe, similar to Canadian

Loewe
English pipe-making firm

Lorenzo
Italian pipe-making firm

Lovat
long-shanked pipe with round saddle-bit stem

Luciano
Italian pipe brand; symbol: silver star on stem

Mac Baren
Danish manufacturer of tobaccos, mostly Cavendish

Macanudo
cigar brand

maduro
dark, used to describe cigar wrappers

Mahalla
Oriental tobacco of the Basma variety; sweet; milder aroma than most Orientals.

Margate
tobacco blend

Mario Armellini
Italian pipe-making firm. Symbol: outline of a gold star on stem

Marxman
brand of pipe made by Bob Marx (U.S.)

Mastercraft
the largest pipe maker in the U.S.

Mastro de Paja
Italian pipe-making firm (established 1973). Symbol: Gold circle

McClelland
U.S. manufacturer of tobaccos, mostly Virginia and Oriental blends

meerschaum
pipe making material

Micoli
U.S. pipe label made by Mic Burns

Nachwalter
U.S. pipe maker

narghile
water pipe; also see "hookah"

Nikos Levin
U.S. pipe and tobacco dealer

Nording
Danish pipe-making firm (established 1967 by Erik Nording). Symbol: stylized letter "N"

ODA
oversized Dunhill, first size catagory; ODB and ODC pipes exist, but are rare.

Old Gowrie
pipe tobacco blend produced by Rattray

Oriental
tobacco grown in Turkey, Greece. Also grown in regions in and around Macedonia, Croatia, and Serbia, Bulgaria, and Russia. Often also referred to as "Turkish," although Turkey is not the only producer.

Orlik
English pipe-making firm

Ova
Oriental tobacco of the Basma variety; sweet and nutty, but generally considered less flavorful than Djebel. Ova refers to Basma tobacco grown in the plains.

Parker
English pipe label (owned by Dunhill)

Penzance
English tobacco blend, blended by Germain

Perique
tobacco grown in Louisiana, USA. Fermented under pressure in its own juices, it is nearly black in color, with a spicy, sweet, heady, fruity flavor.

Perri
U.S. pipe-maker

Peterson
Irish pipe-making firm (established in 1875). symbol: scripted letter "P"

Pipa Croci
Italian pipe-making firm. Symbol: yellow line running perpendicular to stem with yellow dot.

Preben Holm
Danish pipe-maker

Radice
Italian pipe-making firm

Rhodesian
a pipe with a bulldog bowl (usually squat), a bent stem and a round shank

Ropp
cherrywood pipe maker

S & R Woodcrafts
U.S. pipe makers Steve and Roswitha Anderson

Samsun
Oriental tobacco grown in north-central Turkey and Greece; light-bodied, blond tobacco with a delicate aroma. The best is called "Samsun-Maden," and comes form the region near the Black Sea.

Sasieni
English pipe-making firm (established 1918). Symbol: blue dots (up to eight)

Savinelli
Italian pipe-making firm (established 1876, pipes since 1948).

Ser Jacopo
Italian pipe-making firm. Symbol: briar dot

Sixten Ivarssen
Danish pipe maker

Smyrna
tobacco grown in Izmir and Cyprus; full-bodied sweet Oriental tobacco, which blends well with others.

Stanwell
Danish pipe-making firm. Symbol: letter S with crown

Stokkebye
Danish pipe-making firm.

Sukhum
Oriental tobacco grown using Samsun seed in Russia.

Talamona
Italian pipe-making firm

Tilshead
Name for pipes produced by James Upshall

Tinsky, Mark
U.S. pipe maker; carves pipes under the American Smoking Pipe label; Symbol: star in briar circle on stem.

Trebizond
Oriental tobacco; sweet and strong in body, with little aroma. Higher in nicotine than most Orientals. Grown in Greece and Turkey.

Tsuge
Japanese pipe-making firm

Turkish
any tobacco grown in Turkey or surrounding regions; includes Orientals, except Latakia. Most Turkish tobacco is mild and low in nicotine.

Upshall
English pipe-making firm (established 1977). Symbol: circled letters "JU"

Virginia
tobacco grown in the United States and other countries (including China and Brazil). High sugar content, with few natural oils; generally regarded as mild to medium bodied. Blond to dark brown in color, including red.

Wiley
U.S. pipe maker

Willmer
English pipe-making firm. Symbol: Scripted "W"

Xanthi
Oriental tobacco of the Basma variety; sweet and nutty, with a stronger aroma than most Orientals.

Yaka
Oriental tobacco of the Basma variety; sweet and nutty, considered to be of excellent quality. Yaka refers to Basma tobacco grown in the hills.

Yeniji
Oriental tobacco of the Basma variety; strong sweet taste with very little aroma.

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