BBB
The initials once stood for Blumfeld’s Best Briars after Louis Blumfeld, who took over the management of the Adolph Frankau Company in 1856. After his death, the BBB gradually became known as Britain’s Best Briars. Soon to be the oldest English trademark in current use and the first pipe ever to have a registered trade mark. "Britain's Best Briars", often called BBB, is one of the oldest brands still in production and has always been the most popular foreign brand in Denmark. Earlier pipes included a metal rondel with a diamond shape including BBB imbedded in the stem top, and later post-Cadogan went to a stamped on logo, similar to the GBD pipes.
Dating and History: I have been doing some digging into BBB pipes for some we have for VPC auctions and I found an article online in French. Here is a Babelfish translation of a history of BBB from http://www. fumeursdepipe. net/artbbb. htm
Genesis and history of the company. Adolph Frankau & Co Ltd In 1847, Adolph Frankau arrived in London and quickly understood opportunities that the market of tobacco presented, in full expansion. He created the company "Adolph Frankau & Co" and became an importer of meerschaum pipes and supplies in connection with the tobacco. It takes under its wing young a 14 year old boy, Louis Blumfeld. The business thrives quickly until the death of Adolph Frankau in 1856. His widow prepares to sell the company.
Enter in scene Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881), author of "Hero and worship of the heroes". This last advises with Mrs Frankau not to sell, but to entrust the future of the company to the hands of the young person Louis Blumfeld, then 18 years old. Carlyle was to have a very high opinion of the Louis young person, and this confidence was justified by its assumption of responsibility of the business, its enthusiasm and its inexhaustible energy. Louis realizes quickly, like others, great potential of the Heather, from which the interest comes to be recognized.
Louis Blumfeld develops from the very start of important international trade, with a particular success in Canada, in Australia, in Zealand News, India and in the extreme Is Europe, in Switzerland and, with a special mention, in Denmark. If the USA were never an extraordinary market, a branch is opened all the same in New York. In fact, the marketing strategy was focused especially on the countries of the Britanique Empire. Little before 1914, A Frankau & Co was also a sole agent for the pipes Cherry Wood of the Ropp house to cover the United Kingdom and its colonies.
If the BBB are its the most known pipes, A Frankau & Co had several marks of pipes: Capt. Kidd, Fairway ("F" in white; FAIRWAY/LONDON MADE/ENGLAND), Frankau' S (London Made/Made in England), Glokar, Major Daff, the Snap-FIT. It also seems that Ultonia and Last word must be regarded as marks with whole share, in spite of the fact that they are presented as being product lines under label BBB. That would explain their absence of catalogues BBB.
The need for manufacturing in London becomes pressing, this is why, with the turning of the century, A. Frankau & Co has a broad warehouse and offices to the 121 Queen Victoria Street, a service of export in Upper Thames Street and opens a factory in 1898 in Homerton, High Street 112 (then 154) until in the Eighties when Cadogan gathers its activities of manufacture in Southend one Sea.
In this time, A Frankau & Co also produce of Calabashs. The water-bottles used are originating in South Africa and are fruits which can be used as pipe (called also gourd, in this case) usable for the pipes. That became difficult to be supplied out of water-bottles considering the growing request and the constant attention which it is necessary to carry to the culture. BBB sets up a special department to manufacture the calabashs, using only scum to make the furnace whereas some their competitors use plaster of Paris and even of asbestos (asbestos). The manufacture of the calabashs survived war 14/18, but this conflict destroyed the request.
The Twenties were not easy for the manufacturers of pipes, and A Frankau & Co are integrated by "A. Oppenheimer & Co. Ltd1 ". It is besides at that time that Comoy' S of London, Dr. Plumb and Loewe & Co pass under the control of Oppenheimer, which pushes the company to create "Cadogan Investments Ltd.2" in Cadogan Square, London, in the Thirties, to manufacture and sell its pipes. The factory of Homerton passes under the control of "Marechal Ruchon & Co" (in the years 1970, the factory takes the name of "Fairfax Traders"), and continuous to produce the BBB in a traditional way. Finished, pipes with a silver ring and etuits. However, continuous BBB, commes other companies of the group "Cadogan", to function commercially like an independent company. BBB concentrates on a certain number of pipes with system which were in general orders, and on new completions.
Richard Esserman thinks that Dunhill sub-contracted with BBB the manufacture of the heads for its Bent Magnums until 1923. In fact, when the companies of the LASH stopped to dispute one the other, all the heads were turned in the installations of a new factory cise in Stratford, Carpenters Road. LASH bought also machines Zuckerman those being more effective. The workshops of finishing closed, and the pipes were finished in Aldershot and sometimes also in Shoeburyness.
At that time, it was a practice courrante in the trade to offer to the other companies the heads of surplus at agreed prices. Cadogan was accustomed to selling head of rank A in Dunhill, and buying to him heads of rank II, III and IV. But they did not finish the pipes for the other companies: to sell heads of rank A in Dunhill was more advantageous than of their making pipes of them!
The BBB Trademark (the first pic is of the 1876 mark, the second on pipes in 1950s and 1960s and the third 2000 The pictures seem to have uploaded in wrong order. 01 is the 50-60s pic 02 is the earliest, and pic 3 is the latest 2000) The initial BBB in a rhombus are used very quickly, and marks it was the first mark of pipe has to be recorded when the "Trade and Marks Act" takes effect in 1876. Enough oddly, BBB is registered under two numbers, numbers 39 and 40: in number 39, initials BBB in the rhombus (date of depo T: January 1, 1876; published on May 3, 1876 on page 21 of Trade Mak Newspaper) for class 341 (Tobacco, or manufactured gross and cigarettes), in number 40, a simple B for which no image is available (same references of deposit and publication) for the class 50 (Goods manufactured out of ivory, bone, wood, in vegetable or animal substance, pipes with tobacco, cigars and cigarettes (cigar and cigarette tubes). Let us note that Oppenheimer again registered BBB (of number 39) for a new logo under number 2288663 (date of filing: December 20, 2001; published on February 13, 2002 on page 2634 of Trade Mark Newspaper) for classes 14 (cases with cigar and cigarettes, limp with cigars and cigarettes, cigar-holder and cigarettes, all out of noble metals) and 34 (Tobacco and products of the tobacco, articles for smokers, pipes, jokes with tobacco, pipe-racks, lighters, equipment of cleaning for pipes, cigar-holder and cigarettes, cases with cigars and cigarettes, humidors). At the European level, Oppenheimer records BBB under number 002100907, date of filing: February 22, 2001, date of registration: October 7, 2002, for classes 14 and 34 and under number 0863111 for class 34 (date of filing: October 20 2005).
Production of BBB pipes It is thought that the first BBB in fact were imported, and that the initial ones wanted to symbolize, at the beginning, Blumfeld' S Best Briars. Small-with-small, these initial was included/understood like Britain' s Best Briars.
At the beginning, BBB produces two qualities. One, BBB Own Make, became finally BBB Best Make, other pipes being simply estampillees BBB. There are reasons to believe that Own Make in fact were produced in London (Reject pipes cuts year R stamped one them.), whereas the simple BBB were imported, and this, to the paddle of the 20th century. However, if all that is not very clear, it is probable that the lines low-of-range were imported of Saint-Claude.
Collection BBB follows the same lines as the other manufacturers of pipes of second half of the 19th century. The forms similar with the popular models with a prevalence of were curved. A majority of them had a silver ring. In same time, BBB continues to deliver meerschaum pipes.
BBB was probably the first to propose pipes with a paper filter, Mackenzie, which was available it also in two qualities (Mackenzie, second mark of BBB, could be produced in Irish Republic. Ebonite pipes). This process goes back to before 1900 as proves it a letter August 27 1891 of Sir Morrel Mackenzie (1837-1892) in which this one suggests manufacturing models with a longer pipe. The mark survived until in the Sixties.
It is thought that BBB was one of the first to call the form Lovat "Lovat", pipes designed with broad led for a better passage of air. However, the firm "Friedlands" could have adopted this name at the same time. Lovats appeared well before 1914 and were proposed with the sale by BBB in four different dimensions, of which a series called Highland. Colonel Henry Francis Fraser (1872-1949), Lord of Lovat, must have made the publicity of this form made in his honor and which is always popular nowadays.
Whereas the shapes of the briar pipes are similar with those of the other marks, the models develop a very nowadays required distinct character by the collectors. Besides BBB gains the gold medal to the Franco-Britanique Exposure in London of 1908 (Frank Bowcher, 1864-1938) and to the World Fair and International of Brussels in 1910, medal of Godefroid Devreese (1861-1941). One finds these medals, in particular on the advertising folders of the Fifties and Sixties.
At the time, the practice wanted that the order of price is according to the matter of the pipe: extrusive rock, horn, amber, ambrolith. In the same way, the price varied as same way as the size of the pipe. For example, in 1914, the wholesale price of a simple billiard was to vary between 15 shillings and 22 shillings and 6 pence because of the size of the pipe and the floc (not of screw or tenon). Though it is, it seems strange that Liverpool of five inches length with an amber pipe coutait 12 shillings in great quantity whereas the same one with a pipe in ambrolith cost, it, 19 shillings.
BBB thought essential to launch special series like Chubby, Golfer, Dreadnought (probably indicated thus in connection with the class of warships), Bellerophon (sic) and Cutty (small sizes).
BBB proposed until 20 lines due has various intelligent combinations of pipe, completions and etuits. They had a whole a silver ring. Around 1910, the BBB Own Make can be sold up to 2? 10 shillings whereas only estampilees pipes BBB are sold 5 to 6 shillings.
In the Thirties, the top-of-the-range one becomes "BBB Best Make" with alternatives like "Super Stopping" and "Ultonia Thule". The BBB Carlton, sold with the detail with 8/6 in 1938, is equipped with a system complicated out of metal, system which equipped the BBB London Dry too. Blue Peter was not estampillees BBB but BBB Ultonia, and the BBB Two Star (* *) become the bottom-of-the-range one. The calabash leave the catalogues, but some pipes with case and some scums are still produced. The forms also are typical of this time: half are billiards, some princes and bullcaps, a limited number of bulldogs and curved. It is as at that time as the top-of-the-range series receive an incrustation of initials BBB out of metal, whereas the bottom-of-the-range series have only the engraved pipe.
Middle of the years 1950 with that of the Sixties, the lines are relatively stable. At the top, Own Make "Rare Grain", then the line virgin with hearth in scum, Own Make "Virgin", Own Make "Walnut" and finally Own Make "Thorneycroft".
Currently, Cadogan uses Spanish heather for the majority of its pipes, and holds the heather of Morocco for the production of high quality. Before being sent to them, the heather dried between 6 and 12 months.
To avoid any confusion and an excess of documents due to the use of the specific ranks to each mark forming part of the group, Cadogan adopted a system of eight ranks common to all the marks. Rank A is a heather which has a beautiful grain, without any visible imperfection. The ranks B have a beautiful grain, but with some small black spots and maximum three drainages vertical sand which will be mastiques. The rank "Best Make" has also a beautiful grain, with maximum five small drainages vertical sand. The heads which have grain of a variable and maximum quality six vertical sand drainages are of rank MO. The pipes of second rank are is poor heather of grain but without defects or of beautiful grain but with to eight small or two large drainages vertical sand. The third, fourth and fifth ranks are pipes of which decroit quality proportionally.
1908 BBB Own Make Sterling Mounted Oom Paul, Birmingham 'i' Hallmark
Two Great War vintage pipes from BBB: Britain's Best Briars
Several months ago, one of my Arkansan pipe-smoking friends added this 1920s vintage BBB paneled billiard to my collection of old English smoking pipes. As you will see from the photos here, the pipe is in mint condition. The stem and button are as close to factory-fresh as I have ever seen on a pipe of this vintage.
Comoy Old Bruyere, Derek Greene Collection, Image: Derek Greene Old paneled pipes fascinate me. I have seen precious few of them. The nicer versions seem to have gemlike qualities. One particularly nice piece is from the late Derek Greene’s collection – a pipe dating from the same decade. Derek dated this particular Comoy Old Bruyere at the mid 1920s to 1930. Both Derek’s Comoy and my BBB have the same dark claret-colored finish, shining with the rich brownish depth of a fine garnet.
Although Dunhill, Charatan, and GBD are better known historical pipe brands today, BBB was a well-known and respected pipe brand in its day. Early BBB pipes are treasured by their collectors for their elegance and for their excellent smoking qualities.
The oldest pipe marque in Britain, BBB was registered in 1876 which is the year that trade mark registration commenced in the United Kingdom. Amazingly BBB pipes holds Trade Mark No. 40.
It is difficult to know the year that BBB commenced making and marketing pipes. Some speculate that the pipes may have been made as early as 1850. We do know that the first BBB advertisement appeared in Tobacco Trade Review in 1873. (For more BBB advertisements and pipe catalogues, visit Chris Keene’s Pipe Pages .)
Although the United States was not a strong market for BBB, I learned from BBB’s victory in a trademark infringement lawsuit against KBB (Kaywoodie’s brand name predecessor) that the BBB brand name was sold and in common use in the United States as early as 1915.
Listing from 1935 Tobacco World Price and Distribution Directory In status terms, BBB did not compete with Dunhill. In 1935, BBB pipe prices ranged from 5 to 15 shillings, depending on grade. All Dunhill pipes sold for 25 shillings in 1935. (Source: 1935 Tobacco World Directory)
By 1965, BBB pipes were still retailing between 25 and 70 shillings each and were sold by Adolph Frankau and Co. the very company that, in 1856, 18-year-old Louis Blumfeld took over upon Frankau’s death.
While, it is commonplace knowledge that BBB is an acronym for Britain’s Best Briars, few people know that it originally stood for Blumfeld’s Best Briars, after BBB’s young founder, Louis Blumfeld.
The earliest BBBs were imported, most likely from St. Claude. As was the case with most other marques, those BBB pipes sold in the last half of the 19th century were mostly bents. All early BBBs had silver mounts.
1914 BBB Zulu, Collection Neill Archer Roan You see above another very early BBB - a zulu - with its silver mount hallmarked in 1914. It is interesting to compare the change in stem buttons that occurred between 1914 and the early 1920s.
BBB early on had only two grades: Own Make (the top grade) which later became Best Make and one stamped simply “BBB”. The panel picture here is an Own Make grade.
1920s vintage BBB Own Make Paneled Billiard, Collection Neill Archer Roan If you are fond of the Lovat shape, according to pipe historian Jacques Cole, you have BBB to thank. In a 1982 article in Tobacco Magazine . Cole wrote, “It is our opinion that BBB initiated the Lovat shape, with the wide bore for better draught. It appears well before the 1914/18 War, and was offered in four sizes and called the ‘Highland’ series. Col Henry Fraser, Lord Lovat, must have favoured this shape, and the name was eventually adopted in his honour. [The Lovat] is still being sold today.”
BLOWING SMOKE
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE
ORGANIZATION OF ONLINE PIPE SMOKERS
OoOPS@amug. org
http://www. fujipub. com/ooops
Ray Bromley (rbromley@amug. org), Perpetrator
The Fine Print:
Blowing Smoke is published as a forum for OoOPS members and no responsibility for its contents is assumed by Ray Bromley, OoOPS, and AMUG. Use this information at your own risk and under adult supervision. Close cover before striking. Use only as directed. Do not consume more than eight tablets in a twenty-four hour period. Do not use if you are taking medications for hypertension, the gout, or hemorrhoids. If pain or swelling occurs, discontinue use. Exercise caution while operating a motor vehicle. In short, don't blame us for anything we have done because we'll deny everything.
Please respect the privacy of our members. This electronic publication is for distribution to OoOPS members only. If you wish to reproduce it, please delete any personal member profile information before forwarding or printing it for viewing by others. Each submitted item (including every ad and article) is copyright 1996 by the contributor or author, unless otherwise stated. No part may be duplicated or distributed in any form without the expressed written permission of the Editor and/or all contributors. Generally, if you wish to duplicate this stuff we will be so pleased that, when we are revived, we will grant permission and pay for your online time.
Submissions of ads, articles, tell-all books, household hints, pipe ash art, subliminal messages, forged diaries of world leaders, suggestions, changes to the membership directory, interesting pipe lore, pipe trivia, and videos of police beatings are welcome. Heck, entertainment is hard to come by these days. Yes, ads are free. Send all such items by e-mail to
OoOPS@amug. org
by the second weekend of the month, if possible. If you submit something to us, we will pretty much gladly publish it, thus giving you a tiny bit of electronic immortality. Other than that, and the knowledge that you are serving pipedom, we can't pay you anything. OoOPS is so non-profit that we loan people money so that they will donate to us, and even then no one does. Your article or submission remains your possession alone, so if you find anyone with money that will pay you for it, you get every penny. Just like you did not send it to us.
Contents
2. LOADING UP - Resources for members
In this issue, places to purchase new pipes!
3. CHARRING LIGHT - Friendly discussion of controversial burning issues
Section 1
Advertisements and Notices from Members
* CLUB NEWS * * CLUB NEWS * * CLUB NEWS *
I am really working on updating the web pages. Honest.
The update will include:
many new links to business, reference, and personal pages;
some new pipe and tobacco quotations;
more famous smokers;
easy access to all of the old Blowing Smoke newsletters;
and (my pet project) a catalog of pipe shapes (with photos).
By the way, thanks to all of you who have been helping with famous pipe smoker names and other information.
Actually, we have two sites; a "real" site at www. fujipub. com/ooops and our test site at www. amug. org/
rbromley/ooops. New stuff will appear on the test site first. I think the pages should be different enough to reward a visit by the middle of July.
If you would like me to send you a little note when the update is completed (so you don't waste your time visiting the same old thing), send me an e-mail message to:
OoOPS@amug. org
and put the words "web update" in the subject.
Your obedient servant,
-Ray [:-?
* CLUB NEWS * * CLUB NEWS * * CLUB NEWS *
We had our SECOND ANNUAL UNOFFICIAL NON-VIRTUAL OoOPS MEETING on Friday, May 24. This was the evening before the Pipe Collectors International (PCI) convention and show. Members in attendance at the real life meeting were Sami Mikhail, David Quisenberry, Tom Pfaeffle, Ray Bromley, and several others. We enjoyed samples of Cornell and Diehl tobacco and managed to keep the smoke alarm from going off.
At the convention itself, there were about a dozen OoOPS members, and we managed to "network" in real time and in person with each other with some frequency. In addition, there were a few highlights that might be of interest to OoOPS members.
The OoOPS table did not have the planned computer web-page display, but we did give out samples of the fine Cornell and Diehl tobacco produced and provided by member Craig Tarler. Members who were represented by tables at the convention included Bob Hamlin, whose huge display of gourmet tobacco and shiny new pipes by Ser Jacopo, Castello, Dunhill, and Ashton was a major attraction at the show. If you think Bob's mailers and web-pages are tempting, you should see the spread he lays out for pipe shows! Member Alberto Bonfiglioli showed off some of his finely-crafted Italian briar as well; by the end of the show, he had sold all of the pieces that he had brought to Dallas.
Speaking of Alberto, he was presented with the PCI Lifetime Achievement Award at the Saturday evening PCI banquet. Alberto's pipes have earned him great respect among smokers in the last few years, and his honor was greeted with resounding affirmation from those in attendance.
Sunday was the last day of the convention, and its scheduled highlight was a pipe smoking contest. The goal of such a competition is to keep one's pipe burning as long a possible on a single initial lighting from two matches. The pipe all contestants used for the event was a Stanwell sandblasted billiard, donated by Lane Limited, while the tobacco was Dunhill My Mixture #965, also donated by Lane. By my reckoning, seven members of OoOPS participated in the pipe smoking contest, which attracted about forty contestants in all. While the winner, Mr. Dennis Moore of Texas, is not an OoOPS member, the OoOPS contingent did make a respectable showing. More importantly, we all enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.
It was great to finally meet the faces behind so many logon names. If you are at the Los Angeles Expo in July, please introduce yourself.
-submitted by Ray Bromley
* PIPE SHOWS * * PIPE SHOWS * * PIPE SHOWS *
THE 1996 WEST COAST PIPE & CIGAR EXPO
Saturday and Sunday, July 27th and 28th
The Los Angeles Airport Sheraton Hotel
6101 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, California
Door Prizes, Cigar Smoking Contests, Dozens of Exhibitors
Special Guest: Sir Richard Carleton Hacker, author of The Ultimate Pipe Book and The Ultimate Cigar book.
Banquet on Saturday, July 27th (includes an auction)
Hotel rooms: $79+tax per night single/double
For room reservations call toll-free (800) 445-7999 by July 6th.
You MUST mention the EXPO to receive hotel room discount!
GENERAL ADMISSION: $3.00
HOTEL PARKING: $6.00 per day (special EXPO rate)
GOURMET BUFFET BANQUET: $45.00 per Person
EXHIBIT SPACE IS AVAILABLE! For more information please contact:
Steve Johnson, 1532 South Bundy Drive, Apt. D, Los Angeles, CA 90025
PHONE: (310) 820-9706
Also see the information at
http://www. earthlink. net/
jgallco/pipes. html
* PIPE SHOWS * * PIPE SHOWS * * PIPE SHOWS *
I hope you don't mind if I share some of the exciting details of the
OPC Sept. 14 swap/sell pipe show--pipes only; no cigars. This promises to be a really exciting event, and we'd like as many people as possible to make plans to be there.
With room for 60-65 tables, we have already rented 42 and have a good shot at a full house. So far, several pipe shops, numerous individuals, Nikos Levin of NML Pipes and Bob Hamlin of PCCA, and pipe makers Tim West, Steve Weiner, Steve and Roswitha Anderson, and Lee von Erck have all committed to attending. There will be thousands of pipes as well as great quantities of pipe-related items (tobacco, literature, etc. etc.) available for purchase and possible trade.
With a table rent of only $25 ($30 after July 1), most of the money we make each year to continue operating comes from our $1 a ticket raffle. We already have lots of tobacco and other stuff pledged for the raffle, but
I'll just enumerate the pipes pledged so far: a Tim West, a Dunhill Chestnut bamboo shank Group 5 pot, a Bob Everett, a Kirsten, an S&R, an older GBD unsmoked Virgin, a David Jones Regency, a von Erck, a Mark Tinsky American, an unspecified Dunhill, a Steve Weiner and a (probably) Brebbia. There will be more.
But that's not all. The Dunhill Chestnut is now in the hands of Chris
Hill, wife of OPC member and artist Pat Hill. Chris is a jewelry designer,
and, in conjunction with the OPC, which is paying for the materials, she is
making a solid sterling silver fitted case for the pipe. This will be the
last item in the 4:30 raffle, and I expect the interest will be intense.
You don't have to be present at the raffle, but you have to buy your
tickets at the show.
OPC membership now stands at 132 from 22 states and Canada, plus one in
England. Anyone interested in receiving a show flyer and/or a sign-up sheet, please contact me. And, as always, I will send a complimentary copy of our
increasingly large newsletter to anyone who thinks they might be interested in becoming a member.
If you've got one pipe, you're a pipe smoker. If you've got more than
one, you're a pipe collector.
Bill Unger
Secretary, Ohio Pipe Collectors
*PIPE NEWS* *PIPE NEWS* *PIPE NEWS*
From Joel Farr
jgallco@earthlink. net
Steve Johnson & I put together a site we think Ooops members
& Cigar League - 1996 Pipe & Cigar Expo. After July, the site will
become the home page for PIPE FRIENDLY Magazine. Please bookmark it as
things will be updated regularly.
Also, there's an incomplete set of links and a nice collection of
graphics (including one that Dr. Ray had a hand in - The Rack - thanks
again Ray).
*PIPE NEWS* *PIPE NEWS* *PIPE NEWS*
FROM Mark Leiblum
M. Leiblum@iowo. kun. nl
A new 'pipe museum' just opened in Amsterdam and it's fantastic. thousands of ancient pipes. many for
sale. and a pleasant knowledgeable owner. If any of your members get
to Amsterdam it's worth a visit. address is:'PijpenCabinet Amsterdam,
Prinsengracht 488, 1017 KH A'dam'. Owner is Mr. Dondukko, tel.
31-020-4211779. It may be worth contacting him. He buys also. but only
very unusual and old pipes.
I would be willing to
offer assistance to any visitors to the Netherlands interested in learning
"volksmuseum" in Kevelaar (about 1 hour from Dusseldorf) in the Fall. I
Verbose Summary:
The six of us found each other fairly easily: We were the only ones walking
around the pub with pipes in hand. (Oh and one Cigar). We gathered, we
greeted and that was that for the formalities.
We swapped stories about our favorite/worst Tobaccos, Pipes, beers,
liquors, women^H^H^H^H^H^H, local/mail order Tobacconists etc etc.
David Quisenberry brought some tobaccos for all us to sample: Stanhope from
C&D, Dunbar from Esoterica. Yours truly showed off his latest acquisitions
from the Dallas PCI show. (Aside: we unanimously agreed the show could have
If any of y'all have any non-net friends in the area whom you think would
be interested, please drop me their name and numbers. I would be more than
glad to call them.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please let me know. 8D
*INTRODUCTIONS* *INTRODUCTIONS* *INTRODUCTIONS*
FROM Marc Reckinger
100724.3114@compuserve. com
Hi pipe smokers,
I'm Marc Reckinger, I'm 36 years old. I'm living in Luxembourg (am I really the first member from my country?) and I am (still) a. cigarette junkie.
Two years ago my parents were in Cogolin at Courrieu's pipe factory, and they bought a cheap briar pipe for me. I bought 50 grams of Amphora regular and started smoking that pipe. After having smoked it three or four times, my whole mouth was like raw meat; it hurt, and whatever I ate or drank, it was awful.
That was the end of the first chapter, and I returned to my cigarettes.
Then I found Mr Hacker's "Ultimate Pipe Book", and, reading that, I learned
much about pipes and pipe smoking, and I restarted smoking my first and only pipe; it was much more pleasant, in that way I decided becoming a *real* pipe smoker, and I bought two nice mid-priced Bjarne pipes in a shop here in
Luxembourg, and I started smoking them.
But in my job, there is a lot of stress, and I need the nicotine-kick, which
only cigarette smoke inhalation can give to me. But I think, I'm an the right way: In the office, I still smoke cigarettes, but in the evening, at home, the first thing I do is making a cup of coffee or good tea, sitting down and smoking my first (and not the last) pipe for the day.
Last year I spent my holiday at the "Cote d'Azur", and I visited the Courrieu factory in Cogolin, from where I got out with three new pipes. But I was a little bit disappointed by the industrial pipe production, which I'd seen there, and back home, I bought two more Bjarne Pipes - for 9mm filters - at "my" tobacco shop.
Actually, I would characterize myself as an
evening-pipe-smoking-cigarette-smoker on the way getting a full-time-pipe-smoker who is persuaded of pipe smoking, but has difficulties with stopping smoking these cigarettes.
I read everything I can get abut pipes, pipe makers and pipe smoking, and so I'm an OoOPS member now and I get the "pipes digest", and I'm on the way getting more and more fascinated of briar pipes.
Last week I got my first Meerschaum pipe, and that again is a new experience (not a bad one!).
Reading "Blowing smoke" and the "pipes digest", I see that there are many people who were cigarette smokers before coming to the pipes. Please tell me about your experiences, problems, etc.
Marc Reckinger from Beaufort/Luxembourg
P. S. Re-reading this, it seems to me, that my English is very bad, but it's the
best I have.
* TOBACCO WANTED * TOBACCO WANTED * TOBACCO WANTED *
INFORMATION DESIRED
FROM Bubba Johnson
bubbaj@awod. com
Gentlemen:
I have bounced around, back and forth for almost an hour now
looking for a place to purchase my favorite commercial-package blend.
It used to be known as Old Grand Dad, later changed to Dutch Masters.
This was a tobacco cured with "OLD GRAND DAD" Kentucky whiskey. Tasted good and smelled good too.
BTW, I AM of age (60, in fact).
Thanks, Bubba Johnson
* TOBACCO WANTED * TOBACCO WANTED * TOBACCO WANTED *
From: howard@erols. com
Please add me to your list. Thanks. And, by the way, do you know how I
can get Astleys pipe tobacco Royal Tudor No. 99? They are in London.
* PIPES WANTED * PIPES WANTED * PIPES WANTED * PIPES WANTED *
From Elizabeth Anderson
poorrichards@earthlink. net
I need a 1982 (preferably not smoked) Comoy Christmas Pipe. Some dirty dog of a sales person sold mine to a persuasive customer thus putting a hole in my collection. Any of Dunhill's first three 12 days of Christmas pipe series.
From Ed Faerman
EMF1234@aol. com
I would like to know if there exists a pipe club in the south Florida area or if anyone would like to get together for such activities.
___________________________________________
* HELP WANTED * * HELP WANTED * * HELP WANTED *
FROM Charles D. Dennis
76236.1454@compuserve. com
I have a couple of Dunhills and I need to get a bit replaced on one of
them, can anyone help me. Also I have a Davidoff pipe that I would like
some info about. Please let me know if there is anyway I can get some
feedback on this. Thanks!
___________________________________________
* HELP WANTED * * HELP WANTED * * HELP WANTED *
From: Scott (Phillip) Laughlin-Richard
scottlr1@earthlink. net
I am trying to assemble a sort of pocket collector's guide. I am interested in
brands I can. With Comoy and Savinelli being at the top of the list since
Castello, Barling, Sasieni and Dunhill are fairly well covered in the
various publications (although any additions to these brands are welcome).
Readers with such information (even the tiniest bits) that are willing to
share their experience would be greatly appreciated. I would be willing to
share whatever finished list I can assemble.
* FOR SALE * FOR SALE * FOR SALE * FOR SALE * FOR SALE *
From Irwin Friedman,
if@worldnet. att. net
Tobacco: Barney's Ideal and Parson's Pleasure (several cans of each), six large tins of Three Castles form the mid to late 1960's, three tins of Dunhill Virginia Ready Rubbed (made in England)
Pipes: 1959 Dunhill shape 721 F/T (stack, a cross between an acorn bowl and a bulldog),group 3, bruyere finish, excellent condition, very nice crosscut, $225.00; Sasieni patent Fantail, large billiard, carved finish, $120.00; several others that I will be culling from my collection soon.
_________________________________________________
* FOR SALE * FOR SALE * FOR SALE * FOR SALE * FOR SALE *
FROM Bruce Harris
103575.367@CompuServe. COM
Doodler pipes for sale. Unsmoked pieces from the 1970's in
original boxes. Four available. Price $40 each.
* FOR SALE * FOR SALE * FOR SALE * FOR SALE * FOR SALE *
FROM James Aubrey Jensen
Saturday, February 25, 2012
'Grand College of Rites 2012'
Hard to believe it has been two weeks since Masonic Week, but time flies. I think that's why a certain depiction of the hourglass shows the icon of time as having wings. Anyway, before more time slips away and I forget what happened, I'd better get on with the coverage of Masonic Week 2012.
I must begin with the annual meeting of the Grand College of Rites, not only because it's at least a decade-long tradition of mine to extol on-line this interesting little band of brothers, but also because Aaron was dogging me yesterday for pictures. It's the least I can do, so let it never be said I don't do the least I can do.
Collectanea is the annual publication of the Grand College of Rites. It contains rituals, jurisprudence, and other literature of rites that are dormant or otherwise unknown to Masons in America. The new book is out. Volume 21, Part 2 continues the archiving of highly unusual German rituals. (Read about Part 1 here .) Its title is Rituals of the Flaming Star: German Esoteric Bricolage from Der Signatstern and Other Sources .
Grand Archivist Arturo de Hoyos, the researcher, editor, and translator behind each edition of Collectanea. describes this text:
The following Masonic rituals have been translated from a 20th century German typescript formerly in the possession of Frederic Mellinger (1890-1970). Mellinger was a pre-World War I associate of Rudolph Steiner and later a disciple of Aleister Crowley. After the latter's death, Mellinger had extensive contact with Hermann Metzger, the leader of the Ordo Illuminatorum, a Swiss confederation of Masonic, Gnostic, and Rosicrucian orders under Metzger's direction. The rituals are composed as a bricolage of sources, the primary one being Der Signatstern. a 16-volume work published in Berlin, 1803-21 (and in) 1866 in parts, in three editions; its first five volumes contain important documents which are, however, thrown in unordered disorder. These parts contain the posthumous Masonic papers of the Minister von Wollner; it was arranged and verified by Friedrich L. Schroder, whence all belonged and from whence taken.
We lack any certain information on the dating and the authorship of these adaptations from Der Signatstern and other Masonic rituals. It is likely that the texts have been edited by more than one hand and they may have been employed or intended for use in more than one esoteric group. The choice of 'Minerval' and the symbolism of the owl in the Neophyte degree are taken directly from the historic Order of the Illuminati. The references to the 'Mizraim-service' point to the influence of Rudolph Steiner, who had a co-Masonic group by this name.
There are also a multiplicity of references in the texts to the fraternal ventures of the German Masonic bricoleur Theodor Reuss. Among his numerous endeavors, Reuss was co-founder with Leopold Engel of a late 19th century German revival of the Order of the Illuminati, an associate with Steiner in the German Section of the Theosophical Society. an English Freemason and Masonic Rosicrucian, and the founder of the co-Masonic Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO). Crowley's claim that 'Reuss was in the habit of initiating people with the merest skeleton rituals boiled down from those of Continental Masonry' is a fair description of the following texts. Although Crowley attempted in 1921 to usurp control of the OTO from Reuss and rewrote a majority of the rituals to fit within his new religion of Thelema, Reuss firmly rejected Crowley's leadership and innovations.
And these rituals in Collectanea themselves? Skeletal rituals of Continental co-Masonry is a good way to put it.
The Minerval Degree is recognizable to those who know Scottish Rite Craft work. It's not synonymous in content because it is a bare bones ritual, but it certainly is congruent in theme and style. I suppose it is called Minerval because the candidate (male or female) aspires specifically to search for Truth (as opposed to enlightenment), so there is the logical fit with the Roman goddess of wisdom. There is a Dark Chamber, as in the Chamber of Reflection, outside the temple (not lodge) itself. I don't want to give away too much, but I cannot resist sharing this one detail: Imparted in a charge from the presiding officer to the candidate, and reiterated in the obligation, is this demand, one that is most foreign to mainstream Anglo-American Masonry.
You will, in fact, be asked to consecrate yourself, and your present and future private, social, civic and state influences and powers, to the service of our Order; to use them only to the advantage of, and never to the detriment of, the Order.
Considering this ritual's origins, it is not hard to understand that those initiated into this order were not your neighborhood plumbers and shoe salesmen. German Masonry of this period was reserved to the titled and influential.
Following is another First Degree, that of Apprentice of the Veritas Mystica Maxima Freemasonic Lodge. And a lodge it is, unlike in the previous ritual. Herein is a Worshipful Master and Wardens, and ritual language that is very similar to what was predominant in England and America at that time. In fact, these sayings are entirely recognizable to your ear today. But overall, this ritual is more akin to Scottish Rite or Continental Masonry in most of its content. Upon the lodge's Opening, all the brethren invoke unmistakable Kabbalist prayer. Where Anglo-American rituals allude to Kabbalah fundamentals (if that indeed is what happens), there is nothing oblique about this ritual's intention, going as far as to employ certain Hebrew terms.
Also odd is how the candidate, while required to divest himself of clothing and be attired in a new way, is allowed to retain any jewelry he/she might have. I suppose this is another accommodation of royal, noble, ecclesiastical, and other titled personages, with their signets of office, seeking admission.
This ritual is not quite skeletal. There is meat on the bone and marrow within. Before the candidate undertakes a ritual journey, the Worshipful Master says to him:
Man is blind from the cradle to the grave, and however fervent may be his ardent desire for the Light of Truth, yet he is unable to find it, whether by his own efforts or with the assistance of friends. We belong to a community that has, from antiquity, devoted itself to this Light, and whosoever joins with us must enter upon the journey to seek this Light. Thrice must you travel from morning until evening and again until evening; and that you may not stumble, a Sister or Brother who has gone this way before you will conduct you.
During the first leg of this journey, the element of water is introduced in a rite of purification. "This is the way to self-awareness," says the Senior Warden. "Man believes he knows himself, but your restriction demonstrates that you are blind and captive in self-deception."
Then, while traveling south, where the element fire awaits the candidate, the Junior Warden says "This is the way to self-control. The fires of passion blaze around you and threaten your corruption. Whoever emerges unhurt from this fire is near the Light!"
And finally, headed east, the element of air is applied, at which time the Senior Warden says "Hail to the air! This is the way to Truth! Be true to yourself, O Seeker, or you will fall into an abyss from which there is no escape!"
I can only imagine it in the original German.
The journey is not all. Before being brought to light, the candidate takes a certain libation to simulate the bitterness of life. The obligation, taken on the Gospel of Saint John, is free of admonishment of temporal penalty, and instead warns that the soul may "wander aimlessly without peace in space for time immeasurable" should the vow be broken.
It's beautiful material. What follows is an Opening of a Chapter of Rose-Croix, heavily Christian, and a truncated Knight of the Rose-Croix Degree. The initiate is a Scottish Chief Master and Knight of Saint Andrew, indicating a different sequence of degree progression from what Scottish Rite Masons know, but the AASR Knight of Rose Croix will have no difficulty following this ritual. Where the archangel Raphael is mentioned insufficiently once in the current AASR-NMJ Rose Croix Degree, here he is properly ritualized as the candidate's conductor. I think it is okay to say Raphael is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek Hermes, Roman Mercury, and Egyptian Thoth: messenger of the gods.
And indeed the word of the degree, while the same spelling as our AASR degree's, has an entirely different true meaning that reorients our attention to the element fire, and recalls to our minds the "occult science after the manner of Hermes."
And finally, this edition of Collectanea offers the VII? of the Grand Council of the Mystic Templar Magus of Light: Companion of the Graal and Theoretical Rosicrucian of the Brothers of Light of the Seven Churches in Asia.
Spoken to the candidate following his obligation:
Beloved Brother of Light! In this degree you cease to be a Mason. Now commences your course and study as an esoteric Rosicrucian. You are a Companion of the Graal, a Magus of Light and now receive the first instructions concerning the true purpose of the Rosicrucian and mystic symbols and hieroglyphics.
In presenting the work to the Fellows assembled, R. I. de Hoyos remarked that in preparing this edition of Collectanea. he received assistance from a brother officer for the first time. I didn't catch who that is, but I take it as a sign that good people are being appointed to the officer line.
Other highlights of our meeting.
Tobaccos Captain Black - Royal
Medium
Very Pleasant
Typically well put together Captain Black blend. Very similar to CB White but with a more refined Vanilla taste that never bit and was always sweet. As fine an aromatic as you'll find anywhere on the market today, Captain Black stayed true to form with Royal.
Very Mild
Very Pleasant
Wow. Captain Black Royal is very aromatic. The vanilla scent while you are hit with the tasteful notes of the tobacco is extremely pleasing to yourself and everyone around you. If you like CB White, you will LOVE CB Royal!
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