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The village located just outside the Base had an area known as “The Alley”. To tell the truth, it was nothing more than a short access road leading towards the highway, but that quarter-mile strip of roadway was jam-packed with stores and shops. Everything the local shopkeepers had to offer was there, from brass and copper pots and pans, to gold jewelry, furniture, carpets, a restaurant (aptly named for the BP Gas Station) and of course, Meerschaum pipes. Lots of Meerschaums. I remember one shop that had a dozen glass cabinets filled with pipes. They were displayed like a museum exhibition on the glass shelves, row upon row of pipes. From the small, simply carved smooth bowls to the most elaborate portraits, animal busts and geometric patterns; they had them all.
As if that wasn’t amazing enough, I still remember the clerk telling me I could have one custom carved. I could have my own face on a pipe, or one made in the image of my favorite pet. And this personalized souvenir would have been mine for the paltry sum of $20. Looking back, I’m still glad I chose one already carved. The thought of having this face carved into a piece of sepiolite, forever memorialized, still scares me...and my wife.
The one I chose smoked okay, though I admit that after only a few times, I put it back into it’s case. There it sat, undisturbed for the next 28 years. It wasn’t until I answered a job ad for a Shipping Manager that it would see the sunlight, be taken up and smoked again.
Funny, isn’t it? Sometimes things that you found so beautiful and intriguing will come back and rekindle your interest, no matter how much time has passed. They can also bring back fond memories of friends and family, even when those memories were half a world, and what seems like whole a lifetime, away.
Comments
I was stationed at Incirlik in '82-'83. Do you know where "Mike"OF TJ and Mike's Spain shop is? His family lived in Incirlik Village.
Ihave a meerschaum pipe similar to the one pictured. How can I find out what the value is?
Joyce, If you are able to send a couple of photos to our email [email protected], I will see what information I can gather for you regarding your pipe!
What is that pipe worth for sale or not I have one exactly like it that's never been smoked and I have no clue what it's worth can somebody please give me an idea
Mike of Mike and T.J. Spain shop is still at Incirlik. T.J. sold his half to Mike and back about 2007 Mike closed up shop completely. I saw both Mike and T.J. last in the early summer of 2008. I was working down range as a contractor in Iraq and once in awhile on my extended days off I'd pop up to Asana and out to Incirlik to my old stomping grounds to rekindle the memories. I was at Incirlik 79-81
I have the same pipe, bought in Toronto in the mid '80s during an annual fair from a Turkish kiosk. Paid probably around $30 .Hadn't smoked it in years, until this Covid year. Much smoother than my other briar pipes. Be interested in its value right now.
I've was given a shirloc holmes charing cross box full of old pipes what best way of getting it's value
@Donna. Please feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected] with some photos of what you had received. We'd be more than happy to help get an approximate value of your Sherlock Holmes pipes! Regards, Samuel.
I have a Very Large Antique Carved Meerschaum Pipe, of a Long Haired Retriever Dog with a Pheasant in its Mouth, i would say that this is one of the best Carved Meerschaum Pipes i have seen, with a Butterscotch Amber Stem,It is for Sale, if you would like to see some images of the Pipe ,i will gladly send some, for your views on it,
I have a Very Large Antique Carved Meerschaum Pipe, of a Long Haired Retriever Dog with a Pheasant in its Mouth, i would say that this is one of the best Carved Meerschaum Pipes i have seen, with a Butterscotch Amber Stem,It is for Sale, if you would like to see some images of the Pipe ,i will gladly send some, for your views on it,