Savinelli: Columbus Nina (703 KS) (6mm) Tobacco Pipe

In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue, to find an easier route to the Far East, models of a round earth having been accepted since the days of the ancient Greeks. Many claimed he was going the long way, and as it turned out, they were right. Nonetheless, it would be hubris to dismiss what it took to look at a horizon of nothing but seemingly endless, rolling seas and say, "I'm going that way, until I hit land or die trying."

To this day the United States is freckled with townships and counties named after the famed Italian explorer, and as Americans of Irish descent have St. Patrick's Day, those of Italian stock have Columbus Day - with wine in place of green beer, and cod cakes with bean ragu in place of corned beef. Now, thanks to Savinelli, they also have their own pipe; in this case the robust neoclassical "703", in the auburn-tinged rustication and bright, cool, nickel, blue, and white bands of the Nina.

- Eric N. Squires