J. Alan Smooth Lumberman with Silver (Pipes & Tobaccos Magazine Pipe of the Year) (01/30) (Wave) (2011) (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Pipes and tobaccos magazine, affectionately known as P&T by many, was the longest-running pipe-focused periodical ever, its existence spanning more than two decades between 1996 and 2019. A massively influential publication whose success was unprecedented, Pipes and tobaccos was founded by Dayton Matlick and covered a variety of topics in the pipe sphere, including widely known artisans, small-scale carvers, and full-on factories. The scope of their coverage and consistently excellent photography led to success and acclaim, though Matlick often operated at a loss, making it a true passion project. Among its litany of services to the pipe world, Pipes and tobaccos also produced a long line of pipes of the year, collaborating with a variety of artisans and craftsmen to create unique and stylish smokers that include this Lumberman from 2011. Crafted by Jeff Gracik of J. Alan pipes, this piece is a robust iteration of the timeless profile, with a wide transition that gives way to a lengthy, ovoid shank. This shank extends to meet a sleek saddle stem at a junction marked with a broad band of silver, keeping the aft side of the pipe slender while subtly drawing the eye. Up front, the bowl stands on a rounded heel and supports thick walls with a low-set waistline, taking on an arcing taper to the domed rim while possessed of a dynamic forward cant. There's a distinctly Danish character about this bowl, mostly thanks to its supple curvature, and its walls surround a capacious chamber, ensuring leisurely smoking sessions. Dressed in a warm, rich stain, the stummel is wrapped with an unbroken band of flame and straight grain, its streaks lining the shank and surrounding the entirety of the bowl. Likewise, the entirety of the top and underside are covered in dense seas of birdseye, ensuring that every side of this piece is the good side. Serialized out of 30 examples, this is the first of the set, and it's especially noteworthy for being the first pipe Gracik ever stamped with his premiere "Wave" grade stamp.