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News for Thursday, July 2nd |
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One of my favorite carvers is back and he brought three outstanding pipes with him, each possessing a fascinating shape and grain and each utterly unlike either of its brothers. We have a sandblasted acorn with some Ivarsson influence, adorned with mastodon and marvelous grain and priced at less than $500. Next we have a stunning, straight grain acorn/pear that features ten immaculate knuckles of bamboo, as well as a style that traverses three continents. Finally, we have one of the most impressive briars that we have seen from Alex, an Elephant Grade Maguro. This shape, unleashed from the confines of a blowfish foundation, is a smoking sculpture that is the very embodiment of potential energy, caught at a nanosecond prior to becoming kinetic.
We have noted a few times that we take great pride in being Peter Heeschen's top representative. Then again, upon reflection, Peter has no peer in representation than his own affable self and superlatively crafted pipes. We just happen to sell them. Tonight Peter has six fresh briars for us and even if just a small deviation, most every pipe shows at least a couple of steps on the "road less traveled" by the artist. Check out the sandblasted apple with bamboo, as well as the cherrywood of the same finish. There is a wonderfully tall brandy going up tonight, as well as a poker with four knuckles of bamboo and one of the larger, more spherical apples that I haven't seen in eons.
Yes Virginia, there really is a Diamante. Prior to the acquisition of the pipe going up tonight, I had only seen pictures and read observations of this elusive grade from Claudio Cavicchi. Even then, information was pretty limited. When a pipe only "happens" roughly once every 1000-2000 briars started, even photos and articles are pretty thin on the ground. Every Diamante is individually priced by Claudio. The general range starts at about $1300 and a Diamante has sold for $3500 before. The one we have for you tonight is truly an unforgettable pipe and one well worth taking a look at. Another eleven Cavicchis join the "Diamond" to complete the dozen. From two C Grade rusticated pieces to a CCCCC Grade Volcano and shapes that range from conservative billiards to a wonderfully novel rocker, this is one department you are not going to want to miss.
If we are relating to the rest of the pipe world, the phrase "generously sized Randy Wiley briar" is a redundancy. The man makes big pipes. Tonight the phrase gets used because a good number of these briars are large, even taking into account Randy's standards...indeed, we're beginning to encroach on Ardor Giant territory with a few of these. If you tend to a medium-large pipe, you are not out of luck with Randy tonight, we have some of those as well. Regardless of size, a couple of constants that run throughout the Randy Wiley lineup include fine drilling, engineering and affordable pricing.
With each and every new Ardor shipment we see new and exciting things happening. New shapes joining subtle changes to standard ones (well, so far as "standard" can be applied to Ardor shaping), new finishes and new color/texture combinations have just become part and parcel of peeking into the next package from Lake Cuomo, Italy. The six Ardor pipes we have for you tonight exemplify this new spirit to perfection. Tonight is the Smokingpipes.com premiere of the new Alveare carved finish, we also have the first barrel that I have seen from the Roveras (with bamboo, I might add) and a wonderful new shape that reminds me of a raku-ware tea bowl, but robed in the stain and grain of the Mecurio finish. Great stuff tonight, folks!
IMP acquired a new vision (as well as a new Mission Statement) when it was acquired in the early 2000s. No longer would it seek to compete against and compare itself to solely other meerschaum companies, but to go head-to-head against competently made briars as well. That mindset, and the accompanying drilling and engineering, made all the difference in the world. This week we have another eighteen fine IMP meerschaums for you, all of which were created with delrin mortise-tenon setups and the excellent engineering that has made IMP so popular. While many of the pipes show off that avant-garde shaping that has become an IMP signature, we also have a few tried and true classics for those who prefer a more conservative pipe.
This evening we are updating the Brebbia inventory with another dozen pipes. The ever-popular Twins (can be smoked as a standard pipe or a warden) were flat out, so we added a couple and we have added to the Rocciatas, MPBs, and Serie as well. For a real "piece of pretty", check out the Ambra author. The Brebbia pipe has been with Smokingpipes.com almost since we became Smokingpipes.com and has remained a customer favorite throughout the years.
What songs can one sing about Stanwell of Denmark that have not already been sung? What other company creates Eltang and Ivarsson (all three of them) inspired shapes, displays fine drilling and engineering, and can still keep such affordable pricing? Why am I asking rhetorical questions? Can't Sykes do better than this guy as copywriter? Why am I speaking in the third person? Check out this update's selection of Majestics, Colonials, Legends, Rusticos, Featherweights and Nanna Ivarssons. Stanwell is always one of our best sellers for a reason!
What on earth could possibly be finer than a Smokingpipes.com weekly estate update of "sixty-six, to get your fix"? How about a weekly selection of seventy-two estate pipes? Yeah, I am having a bit of trouble believing it myself, but we have six dozen, freshly refurbished beauties for your shopping pleasure this evening. The Danish and English are tied for numerical superiority tonight, with eighteen each. The Vikings are represented by the likes of Stanwell, S. Bang and Tonni Nielsen, while the Brits hold their end up with members from Dunhill, Ashton, Upshall and Charatan. The Italians come to play with a dozen (make sure you check out the Ascortis, Castellos and the limited edition Viprati) and the Americans are looking good, with pipes from Rad Davis and J.T. Cooke! Estate meerschaums? We have them. Pre-owned briars from Peterson? You bet! With prices beginning at thirty-five dollars, there is a very good chance that your next briar is a couple of clicks away.
News for Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 written by Bear Graves.
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News for Monday, June 29th |
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It is once again time to update “The pipe of statesmen and captains of industry” with another nine regal members of the White Spot Club. New this week, we have two Bruyeres, two Cumberlands, three Shell Briars and two charming Dress pipes. The Bruyeres, a rare 3257 and a 4214, boast impressive, nicely contrasted grain. Both of the Cumberlands are group 4 size and each features some remarkable grain set into relief. The Shell Briars are no slouch in that department either, and I am particularly taken by the diminitve 2101 Dress pipe.
What would a week at Smokingpipes.com be without a healthy dose of Peterson pipes? A very sad week, indeed! Do not fear ladies and gentlemen, for we have 36 fine specimens just added to the website for your perusal and purchase. What's your series of choice? Could it be the Shannon, Killarney or Aran? Or do you prefer the Kinsale? We have a couple of fine Walnut Spigots if silver makes your heart quiver. And don't miss the emergency infusion of a full dozen System pipes, smooth, rusticated, and ebony. It's just what the doctor ordered!
Diversity is the name of the game with the latest Savinelli update. In addition to the usual suspects, the Baronet Bruyere and Standing series, we have twenty-four sundry pipes ready and waiting for your discerning eye. The Sigla is back for its second go around in the update cycle and I am sure you will be pleased with these diminutive beauties. Sigla means "abbreviation" in Italian and it's a fitting name for a line that boasts the hand shaping and quality of the Autograph line but come in group 4 size verus the group 6 size of most Autographs. Also of note are the new Qandale churchwardens in smooth and rusticated finishes, all of which sport an attractive wood ferrule. Speaking of churchwardens, we also have a handful of Black & White Favorites as well as a smattering of Milano Handmades, Aries, and Dry System pipes.
How can you make a good thing even better? Make it bigger! G.L. Pease has taken their newest tobacco release, Union Square and super-sized it into their attractive 8oz. tin. Two of the more popular blends from Dan Tobacco have taken the hint and done the same. Blue Note and Balkan Blend are now available in 16oz. bags. You'll be pleased to know in all three cases buying in bulk will save you quite a bit on a per ounce basis.
News for Monday, June 29th, 2009 written by Alyson Ranalli & Tony Saintiague.
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