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June/July 1999 |
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Hacker Authors “Rare Smoke”
Celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Ultimate Pipe Book, Richard Carleton Hacker has published a new tome: Rare Smoke - The Ultimate Guide to Pipe Collecting. Published in a limited hardcover edition, Rare Smoke is destined to become as collectable as the hundreds of pipes it portrays. “There has long been a need for accurate information concerning the most collectable 20th century pipe brands,” said Hacker, author of numerous trend-setting pipe and cigar books. “With so much misinformation being proliferated on the Internet, I wrote Rare Smoke to give today’s pipe enthusiast a solid foundation of facts and to jump-start the pipe collecting hobby into the 21st century.” Rare Smoke contains over 150 never-before-published photographs depicting pipes ranging from a rare Alfred Dunhill ‘black spot,’ to one of only three Summa Cum Laude Charatans known to exist, to the newest Kaywoodie collectables. Leading pipe brands are covered in detail, as well as some lesser known but equally collectable ones. Other chapters include pipe values, Christmas pipes, commemoratives, and a history of pipe collecting. The 256-page hardcover retails for $37.50. In addition, there will be 50 autographed and numbered Author proofs at $125 each. Richard Hacker, P.O. Box 634, Beverly Hills, CA 90213, Tel.: (818) 783-2477, Fax: (818) 995-0463. 
A Mellow Mixture from W.Ø. Larsen
Imported by Davidoff of Geneva, there’s a new entry to W.Ø. Larsen’s Masters Blend pipe tobacco series. The Mellow Mixture, as it’s named, consists of a blend of two different types of Black Cavendish: a lightly roasted Burley and ripe Virginia. The tobacco is cross-cut and mixed with an extremely mild blend of sweet vanilla flavors and fresh, fruity notes, to offer a long-lasting taste and pleasant aroma. It burns slowly, with a cool smoke. Davidoff of Geneva, 550 West Avenue, Stamford, CT 09902, Tel: (203) 323-5811, Fax: (202) 975-0090. 
Radice Classic Introduced at RTDA
Italian pipemaker Luigi Radice is set to introduce his Radice Classic Series of seven pipes at the Ashton booth during this summer’s RTDA trade show. Each of the seven offers a classic shape, as well as a special mouthpiece that promises to eliminate tongue bite. Ashton, 2901 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114, Tel.: (800) 327-4866, Fax: (215) 676-9085. 
Recalling WDC Pipes of Yesterday
A nostalgic reminder of days gone by, Ambassador Pipe Co. is offering an interesting self-published reproduction of a 1920’s vintage Wm. DeMuth Co. pipe catalog. Ambassador, which offers full wholesale pipe rejuvenating services, including reaming, cleaning, polishing, and tennon expanding, also distributes the Kaywoodie Gold Series, domestically-made pipes offered in eight finishes. The vintage catalog carries a retail price of $14. Ambassador Pipe Co., Box 6612, Denver, CO 80206, Tel: (303) 398-5528, Fax: (303) 388-2991. Ancient Lacquer Art Adorns Dunhill-Namiki Edition Alfred Dunhill Pipes has released two limited-edition designs from its archives, each finished with “Maki-e” lacquer designs created by the Namiki Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Each pipe is hand crafted, requiring eight months to complete and involving over 150 individual processes. An integral part of Japanese heritage, the craft of Maki-e lacquering was first perfected over 1,500 years ago. Urushi, which is sap from a Japanese lacquer tree, is first used to draw patterns on the surface of the pipe bowl. Powdered gold, silver, and colored pigments are then applied to the Urushi while it is wet. The first design, The Crane, symbolized longevity, while The Rakucho Bird features the mythical, phoenix-like character. The lacquer technique produces a durable, natural varnish that is impenetrable to chemicals and salt. A lacquer glaze resists heat and water, while creating deep, lustrous colors. The signed pipes are fitted with an 18ct gold engraved band, and are supplied in a lockable lacquered wooden presentation box. Lane Ltd., 2280 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Tucker, GA 30084, Tel: (800) 221-4134, Fax: (770) 938-9473. 
Meerschaum Collecting Celebrated
Ben Rapaport has written a book that belongs on the shelf or coffee table of every collector of tobacco related art objects. Beautifully printed and bound, and copiously illustrated, Collecting Antique Meerschaum Pipes (Schiffer) has a short but definitive introductory text, a pricing guide, and many full color plates of some of the most exquisitely wrought, carved meerschaum pipes and cigar holders, most from the latter part of the 19th century. An acknowledged authority on the subject with several books and lots of articles to his credit, Rapaport says that antique meerschaum is the “blue-chip stock of tobacco collectables.” The book is a pleasure to read or browse through. List-priced at $49.95. Available from the publisher, Tel.: (610) 593 1777, Fax: (610) 593 2002; or autographed by the author, from Antiquarian Tobacciana, (703) 435-8133. SMOKESHOP - June/July 99 |
