Natural Vergin Bent Dublin (G) Tobacco Pipe

If there was a major pipe company (or carver) that marketed an utterly unstained pipe, prior to Carlo Scotti's release of the Natural Vergin series in 1960, I am unaware of it. Though thoroughly accepted now, considering the gestalt of the times (both the minimalist and new realism movements drew their first breaths in 1960, but were far too new to have realized any acceptance), this was an incredibly gutsy move. Richer colors pervaded home decorating, a car was often measured in terms of the amount of luxurious interior appointments (as opposed to any semblance of reliability), and the company with the plushest boardroom was awarded the contract. Probably not the best time to unveil a luxury product that made a huge point of being spartan. Son-of-a-gun, the Natural Vergin became a success. While I personally feel that a G bump for the size is reaching a bit, the form of the pipe conveys a certain comforting grace, and the smooth rim boasts a handsome crosscut.

--Bear Graves