A very brief Bio of Jim Lilley – Peterson Pipe Collector

Jim Lilley with a 1938 'Eire' Extra Large Smooth System

As an introduction to you the reader,my name is Jim Lilley,a retired Gentleman of Celtic origin,currently residing in Scotland.

Over the past few years, since I have started to engage more in various pipe Forums and Blogs. I have been asked by several Peterson enthusiasts if I would ever consider writing a book on the Peterson Pipe and it's history. I have to admit that I never envisaged doing so, as I saw myself as still learning about the constantly evolving Peterson brand and always had reservations about being labelled as an 'expert' on them.That label I find uncomfortable,as I find that regardless of how much knowledge we assimilate, we continue to evolve and increase our experience,knowledge and the learning process. To say I am driven by my obsession for Peterson pipes would be an understatement. Particularly with reference to it's origins and it's history. It was the lack of any real historical literary references that encouraged me to start developing the Peterson Pipe Chronicles for Pipedia. This work ,of which I am extremely proud,is gradually turning into a fairly extensive piece on the Peterson brand in it's own right and could eventually be the precursor to a dedicated book. It is not yet finished ,as I see it, is a 'work in progress'.
I would encourage those who may not have read it, to do so. Particularly if you are new to the world of Peterson,I would like to think of this humble work as a guide, to particularly new smokers and those considering collecting them.

I am flattered to think that the origin of my reasons for smoking and collecting Peterson pipes would be potentially interesting to people. I do not consider that it probably is any different, from how most others would have started. However, where it may deviate from the norm, is in eventually in it becoming an exclusive smoking and collecting obsession solely of the Peterson brand.

Following several years of aimlessly smoking and accumulations,of a variety of well known mainstream and artisan pipe brands. I was put off with particularly the modern trend for Nose warmers, Crustaceans, Whales,Snails and Puppy Dog tails and other odd avant garde shapes,which I personally find unappealing. So I decided to concentrate solely on the Peterson brand.
There was no “on the road to Damascus” moment. I just naturally, and comfortably migrated to them. Like me they were of Celtic origin. My ancestors having drifted over from Ireland to Scotland many years ago in the early 1800's. I found them to have an affinity with my expectation of quality, in their honesty, being simply fashioned and reasonably priced. Equally they were not gaudy or pretentious, were handsomely classic in appearance and most of all, they smoked well.
My initial 'apprenticeship' was forged in acquiring a smooth 314 system and a 'Baskerville' Sherlock Holmes. My positive learning experience with both of these led to acquiring various others. In time 'I reviewed the situation' ,so to speak and took the decision to apply a more systematic approach to my burgeoning collection of random Peterson pipes. I now channel my energies into maintaining, several mini sub collections to help maintain order from the chaos, given the huge selection of series that Peterson have and are still producing.

My main collection of around 300- 400 Peterson pipes, now consists of the following sub groupings. including Patents, pre-Republics, Mark Twain's, Darwin's, Peterson London made pipes,'Star' and 'Red' Standard Systems, Year pipes, Anniversary, Commemorative and modern higher grade pipes.
I am now most definitely a serious collector of the brand and distinguish between my large number of dedicated smoking rotation pipes and those which are purely collectables and remain unsmoked and in pristine and Museum condition. I have written the following musings on contemplation as an expression of my love of the pipe and what it contributes to my life. Some may find it a bit melancholy, but I can assure you that it was intended as a celebration of life and all that is good in it. I do hope you enjoy it.

"My Contemplation, because".

“I sit and smoke my pipe in the garden because I love to;

because I love that environment ,

which is invariably beautiful,

particularly on a warm sunny day and hate the environment where crowds of people are found, which are invariably always ugly;

because of all the sport, television competitions, parties, and assorted social posturing, I thus escape;

because, in a world where most men seem to spend their lives doing things they hate. My contemplation is at once an endless source of delight and an act of small rebellion;

because Chickens, flowers,bugs and animals do not lie or cheat and cannot be bought or bribed or impressed by power, but respond only to the quiet,kindness, humility and endless patience;

because I suspect that I am going along this way for the last time, and I do not want to waste the trip.

because mercifully there are no noisy telephones ; because only in the garden can I find solitude without loneliness;

because wine out of a glass always tastes better out there;

because maybe one day I will see something wonderful, like my smiling wife and sons;

and, finally, not because I regard contemplation and smoking my pipe as being so terribly important,

but because I suspect that so many of the other concerns of men are equally unimportant - and not nearly so much fun”.

I hope this brief insight was what you expected and that you enjoyed the crack and blarney from an old Pete Nut!

'Lang may yer lum reek' an Old Scots farewell greeting.