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A Short History of The Italian Handmade Pipe: Difference between revisions
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(New page: ''This article originally appeared in the Pipe Smoker, Spring 1984 issue, and is reprinted here by permission of the author.'' == A short History of The Italian Handmade Pipe, by R.D. Fie...) |
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''This article originally appeared in the Pipe Smoker, Spring 1984 issue, and is reprinted here by permission of the author.'' | '''by R.D. Field'''<ref>This article originally appeared in the Pipe Smoker, Spring 1984 issue, and is reprinted here by permission of the author.</ref><ref>This article was also published on the author's website, which he no longer maintains, and has now become a phishing site.'''</ref> | ||
In 1953 a new, high-quality pipe made its debut in America - first in New York and gradually throughout the rest of the country. This pipe was very different from any other pipe of similar quality which was being sold at that time. It was made completely by hand instead of machine-made and hand finished. It had a mouthpiece made of Plexiglas rather than vulcanite, and the briar bowl and shank were carved into a deeply etched finish. This unique pipe was from Italy. | |||
In 1953 a new, high-quality pipe made its debut in America- first in New York and gradually throughout the rest of the country. This pipe was very different from any other pipe of similar quality which was being sold at that time. It was made completely by hand instead of machine-made and hand finished. It had a mouthpiece made of Plexiglas rather than vulcanite, and the briar bowl and shank were carved into a deeply etched finish. This unique pipe was from Italy. | |||
This new pipe was a radical change from what the American pipe smoker was used to buying, and the most surprising aspect of the pipe was its country of origin. Certainly, Italy was not known for producing excellent briar smoking pipes; that distinction belonged to two other European nations- France and England. After all, briar pipemaking began in St. Claude, France where many of today’s traditional shapes were designed. England’s pipe making industry was well established by the early 20th century with some of the most prestigious brands in the world- names such as Barling, Charatan, and Dunhill. | This new pipe was a radical change from what the American pipe smoker was used to buying, and the most surprising aspect of the pipe was its country of origin. Certainly, Italy was not known for producing excellent briar smoking pipes; that distinction belonged to two other European nations- France and England. After all, briar pipemaking began in St. Claude, France where many of today’s traditional shapes were designed. England’s pipe making industry was well established by the early 20th century with some of the most prestigious brands in the world- names such as Barling, Charatan, and Dunhill. | ||
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In late 1981 the Radice entered the United States marketplace, followed by the Becker in early 1982. Both are sold on an exclusive basis by a limited number of some of the best pipe and tobacco shops in the nation. The fact that both have proved to be so successful is partly due to the outstanding craftsmanship of both marques, and to the superb reputation the Italian handmade pipes have developed in this country since the first ones appeared in 1953. | In late 1981 the Radice entered the United States marketplace, followed by the Becker in early 1982. Both are sold on an exclusive basis by a limited number of some of the best pipe and tobacco shops in the nation. The fact that both have proved to be so successful is partly due to the outstanding craftsmanship of both marques, and to the superb reputation the Italian handmade pipes have developed in this country since the first ones appeared in 1953. | ||
== Notes == | |||
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