Rare Smoke: The Ultimate Guide to Pipe Collecting

Rare Smoke is the first book devoted to the total spectrum of collecting 20th century briars, or "estate pipes," as they are popularly called. From its first whiff of a start in the early years of the 20th century to billowing clouds of enthusiasm created by today's devotees, Rare Smoke brings exciting new discoveries and never before revealed facts to this smoke-filled hobby. Based upon more than two decades of detailed research through numerous pipe company archives, personal correspondence, exclusive interviews with members of famous pipemaking families, and drawing upon his own extensive knowledge and industry contacts (not to mention his collection of over 2,000 rare and unique briars), the author has given today's pipe collector a thorough and factual book that focuses not only on some of the most prominent 20th century pipe brands, but also some of the most obscure. With over 100 color and black and white photos and written in the author's well-known entertaining and conversational style, Rare Smoke clears away years of misinformation and speculation, and opens up a new, fact-filled frontier for the pipe collector to experience and enjoy. Printed in a limited edition of only 2,500 copies, Rare Smoke is destined to become as collectable as many of the pipes depicted within its pages.