Sydney P. Ram

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Sydney P. Ram was a pipe maker in Chicago in the 1930’s, and early 1940's. Ram's shop was at 59 West Monroe in Chicago's Loop. His pipes were normally simply stamped Sydney P. Ram in script. He was also the author of a book on pipe smoking in 1941 called How to get more fun out of smoking; A guide and handbook for better smoking and is sometimes available on Amazon, having been reprinted in 2011. Upon closing his Chicago shop and "retiring" in 1942, Sydney moved to California, and made pipes using his old stock, which he brought with him.[1]

Ken Prevo has a 16 page catalog from the shop era. He has graciously posted it online here in high resolution. Ken welcomes those interested to view or download it. Here it is in reduced resolution:


The catalog states that all pipes are either Algerian or Corsican Briar. The pipes being sold are light but color to deep brown very rapidly. Ken has not seen similar treatment. The catalog shows pipe prices ranging from $1.75 to $7.50. (Factory workers in the era made around $40/wk at the time). They are stamped either straight grain or imported briar. The catalog also indicates the shop did its own blending and had onsite repair.

Ken also reports that recently (in 2013) New Old Stock has shown up with the pipes being sold from California.

  • Note: Richard Carleton Hacker pointed out the two different spellings of Ram's first name--"Sydney" for his pipe nomenclature, and "Sidney" in his catalog, and correspondence. Interesting!
  1. Confirmed by Richard Carleton Hacker via E-mail dated April 28, 2023. RCH also writes he purchased the last of Ram's already turned bowls and a number of finished and boxed pipes, all of which he now has in his collection.