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As you know, we here at Smokingpipes.com love our pipes. The majority of the gentlemen here have great collections of treasured beauties, and you've gotten to see some of them in our Staff Show and Tell posts 1 & 2.
While my first pipe is no great collector's item, it holds a special place for me. When I started at SPC almost two years ago, I was (and still am) fascinated by the variety of shapes, sizes and finishes of pipes. I was in my very early stages of learning about pipes (they are never to be called "cute"), and I was asked if I had ever smoked one. My answer was "no, of course, pipe smoking is for guys." That answer was scoffed at, and I was led down to shipping to a cardboard box hidden in a dark corner where I was told to pick out one that I liked. I dug around for a bit and came across a bright, colorful one that looked like a girl's pipe. It's stamped with "Fancy" and "Bruyere," and it looks like someone melted crayons together and shaped them into a pipe. I took it home along with some yummy sounding samples and proceeded to light my first pipe. I had done some research on how to pack a bowl properly, the best method to light it and keep it going, so I think I did pretty well for a newbie.
I have since moved on to a couple better pipes. A Savinelli "Prince of Wales" was the next addition thanks to one of those online auction sites. It's a lovely, graceful churchwarden. Next came the "Elegance," another discontinued Savinelli (thanks again Jonathan). It's my favorite little bent Billiard, and it's perfect for a quick smoke. And while I don't smoke as much as the guys here, I do enjoy the hobby immensely and look forward to adding to my collection.
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My mother, who was something of a Greenwich Village beatnick in her youth in the early 1950s, smoked pipes at times. She had a few pipes, mostly slim billiards painted a light color, whose most notable characteristic was that they had a few rhinestone studs embedded on the sides of the bowl. I don't know what became of those pipes (nor do I know what blends she smoked in them, though my father loved lat bombs and maybe she did too). Has anyone every heard of or seen a pipe with rhinestones on it? Thanks!
Warren, I've been told that bakelite pipes for ladies were popular in the 50s. Here is one I've found with rhinestones (although, not all intact). This might be an interesting place to start, though. Good luck! https://www.etsy.com/listing/113155469/ladys-bakelite-pipe-with-rhinestones?ref=market
Welcome to the coterie. I've been an avid pipe smoker for almost 50 years, starting the moment I turned 18. During these years I participated in two pipe smoking contests - one locally, the other nationally in 1994 during a pipe show in DC hosted by Bob Hamlin. In both contests I placed first in the women's division, and in the second one I also placed 4th overall out of about 100 smokers. Having had my moment in the sun, I chose not to participate again. If I can ever be of any assistance, answer any questions you may have, or offer advice, please don't hesitate to contact me.
1. What brand is your orange & black pipe? 2. How does this first pipe smoke now?
Kelly, one of my nieces, who's about to graduate from college, is now our family's newest pipe smoker, and when she asked me for advice on the use and care of her first pipe, I also showed her your blog and many of the other helpful blogs and tools like the pipe locator and tobacco locator on Smokingpipes.com. Thanks!
Jack, I'm not sure of the brand of that particular pipe as there is no stamping besides Fancy" and "Bruyere". As for it's smoking qualities, I have unfortunately retired that one from my rotation.