Exploring the Origins of a 60s/70s ‘Space Age’ Pyrolytic Graphite/Phenolic Resin the pipe English Blue Bulldog

The next pipe on the table is a quintessential ‘60s/70s’ Flower Power pipe – at least that’s the vibe I get looking at it.  It came to me in September 2017 from a seller in Georgetown, Texas.  The seller was from a non-profit called the ‘Caring Place’ that sells things to help needy folks in …

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Refreshing a Striking W.Ø. Larsen HANDMADE Selected Grain 15 Made in Denmark

The W.Ø. Larsen HANDMADE came to me in August 2021 in what I call the Lakewood Lot of 14.  I met Ron in the Denver suburb of Lakewood when I went to his house to purchase a Zero Gravity reclining lawn chair.  When I pulled up to his house, he was sitting in the driveway …

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A Five-Month Adventure restoring an Exquisite Ser Jacopo Spongia R2 of Italy

This Ser Jacopo Rusticated Bent Egg came into my possession in a totally serendipitous way in June of 2021.  The world was still up in the Covid frenzy, and my wife and I were still transitioning from life in Bulgaria to setting up shop in Golden, Colorado.  One of the necessities of life I was …

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Resuscitating a French-made ‘Pipe’ Dr. Geo DePosee Horn Stem Paneled Bulldog

The next pipe came to me in August 2018 as part of what I have called the ‘French Lot of 50’.  When my wife and I were still living in Bulgaria, I found a lot of 50 pipes for sale on French eBay from a seller in Paris.  What attracted me to place a bid …

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Restoring a Gubbels Amphora 815 X-tra of Holland Poker

The next pipe on the worktable is an Amphora X-Tra of Holland which came to me via the online auction block in December of 2017, from a seller in Fort Meyers, Florida.  The bid was sufficient for the day and the Amphora Poker made its way to the For “Pipe Dreamers” ONLY! online collection.  Gary …

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A Daughter’s Christmas Gift – Renewing an X-Series/Continental Dr. Grabow Starfire Wire Carved Zulu

I love the Season of Christmas when most of the world celebrates the fact that Christ was born.  When I consider the shape of the world, and our prayers for the people of Ukraine, I am thankful for a reason to celebrate something that is good news.  The next pipe on the worktable was commissioned …

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A Christmas Gift for a Blessed Husband: A Nørdin Made in Denmark Freehand

With Christmas soon to come, I have received commissions from loved ones of very fortunate pipe men.  This beautiful Nørdin Freehand was commissioned by Jocelyn who wrote to me with this request: We live in Butler PA, USA.  My husband, Mark, is an avid pipe smoker.  I would love to give him a unique, possibly …

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Resuscitating a Mastercraft Custom Made Italy Prince (aka: ‘Pandora’s Pipe’)

This pipe was a challenge – more to come later….  The pipe on the table today is a nice-looking Prince.  It has the right stem orientation, and the apple shaped bowl is on the petite side.  I saw this Mastercraft Custom Made Prince on the online auction block in March of 2016, from a seller …

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Replacing a ‘Shellac-Candy Apple Finish’ for a Machiavelli Cambio Ball of Italy

The next pipe on the worktable was part of a Lot of 4 pipes that were on the online auction block from Giussago, Italy, in January of 2017.  Three of the 4 pipes were similar in that they sported red, glossy shellac-like finishes.  It seemed to point to the affinity of the former steward’s taste …

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