Estate Pipes

The Why and How of Estate Pipe Purchases

March 22, 2025 by Chuck Stanion

31 Comments

When I first learned about estate pipes, back when I didn't know a Billiard from a bathysphere, I was horrified. Used pipes? Pipes that had spent years in the mouths of who knows who smoking who knows what while fraternizing with who knows who from who knows where? Why would these pipes have any value? Sanitizing a used pipe, I deduced, must require an hour in boiling water. ... Read More

How to Care for Vulcanite Stems

March 7, 2025 by Rose Kiser

53 Comments

Pipes are deceptively simple. They're blocks of wood, for the most part, carved into a bowl with a stem. That's the simplest description of a pipe, it may even be the description you used when you started smoking. But as we begin to learn about the technical parts ... Read More

The Estate Matchmaker Season 2

February 12, 2025 by Rose Kiser

2 Comments

It's the season of love, the only time of year it's socially acceptable to accost your significant other, or yourself, with cheap chocolate and scratchy stuffed bears. We here at Smokingpipes are far less cynical about love; we prefer lasting connections with gifts that speak to the true spirit of the giftee while also being thrifty. And that's why, dear reader, we're doing another round of the Estate Matchmaker ... Read More

The Estate Matchmaker

August 2, 2024 by Rose Kiser

4 Comments

Here at Smokingpipes, we believe in second chances. That's why we currently have over 1,400 estate pipes, each restored by our expert restoration team. We've published many articles over the years covering Estate Pipes, like the why and how, along with looking into how our estate crew manages to do such an ... Read More

About Barling Pipes: A Pocket Guide

September 16, 2022 by Davin Hylton

11 Comments

For years the Barling name has been synonymous with quality, vintage English pipes, renowned for their craftsmanship, engineering, and excellent smoking properties. Older Barlings produced during what is now referred to as the company's "Pre-Transition" era in particular are held in high esteem by many discerning collectors. ... Read More

Estate Pipes: Three Tales of Doom and Deliverance

January 7, 2022 by Chuck Stanion

6 Comments

Our intrepid staff know no limitations in their quest for the estate pipes that you love to see on our website, as demonstrated by three recent adventures from our files. ... Read More

Ben Rapaport: Tobacco Literature and Antique Pipe Expert

December 23, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

13 Comments

For 50 years, Ben Rapaport has contributed impressively to the literature of pipe smoking and has collected pipes since 1959. He's the author of nine books and countless articles, and a collector of antique pipes, as well as a purveyor of tobacco-related books and ephemera. He's also delivered a multitude of seminars, including for the opening of museums and at the Chicago pipe show. He's advised auction houses and museums around the world. When ... Read More

Pipe Smoker: Aaron Spelling

June 10, 2021 by Chuck Stanion

8 Comments

You probably recognize the name Aaron Spelling, especially if you lived through any part of the '70s, '80s, or '90s when the television shows that he produced dominated prime time. His shows included The Mod Squad (1968-'73), Charlie's Angels ('76-'81), The Love Boat ('77-'86), Hart to Hart ('79-'84), Dynasty ('81-'89), Beverly Hills 90210 ('90-2000), and Charmed ('98-2006). There were more; a lot more; a list of his shows contains more entries than there are lines in this article. ... Read More

Pipe Smoking Desktop Backgrounds: February 2021

February 1, 2021 by Andrew Wike

2 Comments

It's time for another round of beautiful pipe smoking desktop backgrounds! As in previous months, we've compiled some of our favorite shots and artwork to share with you. Below you'll find seven unique images, split between desktop and mobile orientations and available for download in ... Read More

Pipe Smoking Desktop Backgrounds: October 2020

October 1, 2020 by Andrew Wike

It's time for another round of beautiful pipe smoking desktop backgrounds! As in previous months, we've compiled some of our favorite shots and artwork to share with you. Below you'll find seven unique images, split between desktop and mobile orientations and available for download in two high-resolution ... Read More