Bertram: Difference between revisions
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The story of Bertram pipes begins with a German pipemaker named '''Bertram Goldmann''' who emigrated to the United States in 1874 and settled down in Washington D.C. | [[File:Bertram Pipes.jpg|thumb|300px|Courtesy, Doug Valitchka]][[File:Bertrams2.jpg|thumb|300px|Courtesy, Doug Valitchka]][[File:Bertrams4.jpg|thumb|300px|Courtesy, Doug Valitchka]]The story of Bertram pipes begins with a German pipemaker named '''Bertram Goldmann''' who emigrated to the United States in 1874 and settled down in Washington D.C. | ||
In 1927 '''Sydney Bertram Goldman''' opened a new factory, the Bertram Pipe Shop. The strategically favorable situation in the political center of the USA procured many illustrious customers from politics and fine arts to the well-respected brand: Joseph Stalin, General Douglas MacArthur, Edward G. Robinson or Red Skelton just to name a few. President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered his cigarette tips there. Bertram acquired the surname "The Nation’s Pipemaker". | In 1927 '''Sydney Bertram Goldman''' opened a new factory, the Bertram Pipe Shop. The strategically favorable situation in the political center of the USA procured many illustrious customers from politics and fine arts to the well-respected brand: Joseph Stalin, General Douglas MacArthur, Edward G. Robinson or Red Skelton just to name a few. President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered his cigarette tips there. Bertram acquired the surname "The Nation’s Pipemaker". | ||
<gallery widths=300 heights=200 caption="A cased Meerschaum w/Amber Stem, courtesy Tim Lomprey"> | |||
BertramCasedMeerjpg.jpg | |||
BertramCasedMeerjpg2.jpg | |||
</gallery> | |||
Over three generations Bertram’s enjoyed such a good reputation in the USA that their own production wasn't able to keep up with the demand and pipes had to be bought in addition from notable suppliers. In reference to this Bertram in later years was also apostrophized "The Astley's of America". | Over three generations Bertram’s enjoyed such a good reputation in the USA that their own production wasn't able to keep up with the demand and pipes had to be bought in addition from notable suppliers. In reference to this Bertram in later years was also apostrophized "The Astley's of America". | ||
Their pipes seem have been graded by a numbering system, i.e. 10, 20, 30, 40, | Their pipes seem have been graded by a numbering system, i.e. 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, etc., with the higher numbers being more desirable. The grading system also indicated the price for which it was to be sold. A '10' sold for $1.00, a '20' for $2.00, and so on. | ||
The company suffered a tragic blow at the end of the 1960s. During the riots following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. the factory was plundered and set on fire. Though some efforts - mainly by Bertram employees - were made to restart Bertram never really recovered and the owning family decided to quit pipe production and close the shop in 1977. | |||
<gallery widths=250 heights=185 caption="Examples courtesy, Doug Valitchka">. | |||
File:Bertram01.jpg | |||
File:Bertram05.jpg | |||
File:Bertram07.jpg | |||
File:Bertram5.jpg | |||
File:Bertram06.jpg | |||
File:Bertram Box.jpg | |||
File:Bertram2-01.jpg|Straight Grain | |||
File:Bertram2-07.jpg|Straight Grain Detail | |||
</gallery> | |||
== Off site links == | == Off site links == | ||
[[Image:logopip.gif]] '''[http://www.pipology.com/storia/storie-di-pipe/pipe-bertram Le pipe Bertram]''' an italian text about Bertram's history and pipes from pipology.com | *Article on the closing of the shop in the [http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19770918&id=Z1kdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6FcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5573,697759 Pittsburgh Press, Sun, Sept 18th 1977] | ||
*[[Image:logopip.gif]] '''[http://www.pipology.com/storia/storie-di-pipe/pipe-bertram Le pipe Bertram]''' an italian text about Bertram's history and pipes from pipology.com | |||
*[[Image:logopip.gif]] '''[http://pipepages.com/bertram1.htm Pipepages.com]''' circa 1950 Pipes by Bertram catalog | |||
[[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]] | [[Category: Pipe makers by nationality]] | ||
[[Category: United States]] | [[Category: United States]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:32, 5 February 2021
The story of Bertram pipes begins with a German pipemaker named Bertram Goldmann who emigrated to the United States in 1874 and settled down in Washington D.C.
In 1927 Sydney Bertram Goldman opened a new factory, the Bertram Pipe Shop. The strategically favorable situation in the political center of the USA procured many illustrious customers from politics and fine arts to the well-respected brand: Joseph Stalin, General Douglas MacArthur, Edward G. Robinson or Red Skelton just to name a few. President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered his cigarette tips there. Bertram acquired the surname "The Nation’s Pipemaker".
- A cased Meerschaum w/Amber Stem, courtesy Tim Lomprey
Over three generations Bertram’s enjoyed such a good reputation in the USA that their own production wasn't able to keep up with the demand and pipes had to be bought in addition from notable suppliers. In reference to this Bertram in later years was also apostrophized "The Astley's of America".
Their pipes seem have been graded by a numbering system, i.e. 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, etc., with the higher numbers being more desirable. The grading system also indicated the price for which it was to be sold. A '10' sold for $1.00, a '20' for $2.00, and so on.
The company suffered a tragic blow at the end of the 1960s. During the riots following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. the factory was plundered and set on fire. Though some efforts - mainly by Bertram employees - were made to restart Bertram never really recovered and the owning family decided to quit pipe production and close the shop in 1977.
- Examples courtesy, Doug Valitchka
Straight Grain
Straight Grain Detail
Off site links
- Article on the closing of the shop in the Pittsburgh Press, Sun, Sept 18th 1977
Le pipe Bertram an italian text about Bertram's history and pipes from pipology.com- Pipepages.com circa 1950 Pipes by Bertram catalog
