College Class Pipes: Difference between revisions

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<center>'''''Class Pipes'''''<br>
<center>'''''College Class Pipes'''''<br>
''A brief treatise by avid collector, Brian Robertson'' </center>
''A brief treatise by avid collector, Brian Robertson'' </center>


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'''''“Arthur held a heavy buldog Yale class pipe in his hand, the pipe had a large 'Y' on the front, flanked on each side by numerals,,,,,1907”'''''<br> -- ''from Eugene O'Neill's play, Ah, Wilderness!''
'''''“Arthur held a heavy buldog Yale class pipe in his hand, the pipe had a large 'Y' on the front, flanked on each side by numerals,,,,,1907”'''''<br> -- ''from Eugene O'Neill's play, Ah, Wilderness!''


[[File:GlokarClassPipes.jpg|thumb|500px|A grouping of Glokar branded [[BBB]] Class pipes: Two Cornells, a Princeton, and a University of Michigan, courtesy Brian Robertson collection]][[File:OwlShopClassPipes.jpg|thumb|500px|A grouping of Yale Class pipes from the [[Owl Shop]], courtesy Brian Robertson collection]]Around 1900 and slightly earlier, pipe smoking on college campuses, by faculty and students, seems to have been the tobacco implement of choice.  From the 1890's until at least the early 1940's , the pipe was the "big man on campus". My research indicates that several Eastern colleges in the late 1800's had a single "class pipe" that was smoked  during a school ceremony,  marking the end of a school year. Emulating early western movie scenes, the pipe was passed among faculty and chosen ranking students, not unlike the native american "peace pipe" shown in those same films. Some colleges even had a pipe annually used in a ritual, not  a "class pipe", but literally referred to as "the peace pipe".  This "peace pipe” was smoked by the warring "tribes'' of the senior and junior classes, symbolically ending their conflict as the seniors graduated.     
[[File:GlokarClassPipes.jpg|thumb|500px|A grouping of Glokar branded [[BBB]] Class pipes: Two Cornells, a Princeton, and a University of Michigan, courtesy Brian Robertson collection]][[File:OwlShopClassPipes.jpg|thumb|500px|A grouping of Yale Class pipes from the [[Owl Shop]], courtesy Brian Robertson collection]]
=== Introduction and Origins of The Class Pipe Tradition ===
[[File:1935YalePipeCeremony.jpg|thumb|left|This photo dated June 17th, 1935 shows Yale graduates smoking clay pipes, which were afterward broken and ground into the dirt to symbolize their passage from their "Bright" college days. Other Eastern Colleges had similar traditions. Courtesy Brian Robertson]][[File:1935PrincetonPipesSmashedAgainstCannon.jpg|thumb|left|Princeton Class Day, June 17, 1935, showing the tradition of seniors smashing clay pipes against the school's cannon. Courtesy Brian Robertson]]Around 1900 and slightly earlier, pipe smoking on college campuses, by faculty and students, seems to have been the tobacco implement of choice.  From the 1890's until at least the early 1940's , the pipe was the "big man on campus". My research indicates that several Eastern colleges in the late 1800's had a single "class pipe" that was smoked  during a school ceremony,  marking the end of a school year. Emulating early western movie scenes, the pipe was passed among faculty and chosen ranking students, not unlike the native American "peace pipe" shown in those same films. Some colleges even had a pipe annually used in a ritual, not  a "class pipe", but literally referred to as "the peace pipe".  This "peace pipe” was smoked by the warring "tribes" of the senior and junior classes, symbolically ending their conflict as the seniors graduated.     


During a period when pipe smoking registered among the principle pastimes cultivated by students, a yet to be credited marketing genius came up with the idea to place a silver letter on the outward facing bowl of a pipe . Young men couldn't wait to have someone remark "oh, you must be a Yale man", or Princeton, or Harvard, etc.. Then around 1900,  Mr. Lew L. Stoddard came up with an idea that would change the fad into a tradition.  He  put a student’s class year on the pipe, along with the school initial.  Student class pride and rivalries were fierce, so this was an excellent way of displaying "class pride".  In a 1908 ad, Mr. Stoddard claims to be  "the originator of numerals on the class pipe".  What is glaringly missing from this advertisement, however, is a claim to be the originator of the "class pipe" itself.   At this time it is still unknown who put the first silver college initial on a pipe. However, a strong possibility of the originator of the class pipe may be a  Mr. M. Durham, mentioned in a 1962 Owl Shop catalog showing a pipe with the Yale  “Y” flanked by a “6”  and a “2”, saying in the ad "Mr. Durham has been inlaying pipes for over 60 years".  
During a period when pipe smoking registered among the principle pastimes cultivated by students, a yet to be credited marketing genius came up with the idea to place a silver letter on the outward facing bowl of a pipe . Young men couldn't wait to have someone remark "oh, you must be a Yale man", or Princeton, or Harvard, etc.. Then around 1900,  Mr. Lew L. Stoddard came up with an idea that would change the fad into a tradition.  He  put a student’s class year on the pipe, along with the school initial.  Student class pride and rivalries were fierce, so this was an excellent way of displaying "class pride".  In a 1908 ad, Mr. Stoddard claims to be  "the originator of numerals on the class pipe".  In a recently found earlier ad Mr. Stoddard claims to be the originator of the "class pipe", and he may well be. Yale university may have been the first college to adopt the "student class pipe". In a 1900 newspaper article it is reported that Yale students would adopt a class pipe instead of their usual class cane, which I have to assume was the current tradition of the period. It appears this was not done as a substitute for the original single class pipe, used in the year end ritual, but the beginning of a new tradition for students.  


As the popularity of the class pipe grew, more local pipe shops and tobacconists added class pipe offerings to students. In many cases campuses elected students to "class pipe committees" to seek out new designs for each year. The samples would then be voted on, and students would place orders on the winning design. In a 1912 article this process was mentioned  as taking place at Purdue University in Indiana.  Ads for class pipes from around the same period have been seen as far west as Idaho University.  I recall reading a mention of a West Point class pipe (circa 1907), that had raised letters and numerals upon a silver shield. The cadet would need a strong jaw, and perhaps wear a glove to protect his hand from being burned after a couple of bowls had been smoked in such a design.     
As the popularity of the class pipe grew, more local pipe shops and tobacconists added class pipe offerings to students. In many cases campuses elected students to "class pipe committees" to seek out new designs for each year. The samples would then be voted on, and students would place orders on the winning design. In a 1912 article this process was mentioned  as taking place at Purdue University in Indiana.  Ads for class pipes from around the same period have been seen as far west as Idaho University.  I recall reading a mention of a West Point class pipe (circa 1907), that had raised letters and numerals upon a silver shield. The cadet would need a strong jaw, and perhaps wear a glove to protect his hand from being burned after a couple of bowls had been smoked in such a design.     
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<gallery widths=300 heights=200 caption="Class pipe ads, courtesy Brian Robertson">
<gallery widths=300 heights=200 caption="Class pipe ads, courtesy Brian Robertson">
File:1908MiddletonClassPipeAd.jpg
File:1908MiddletonClassPipeAd.jpg
SchryversAd.jpg
StoddardsAd2.jpg
</gallery>
</gallery>


There are several clues that can be used to provide a degree of provenance in matching a class pipe with its corresponding college or university.  When I purchase a pipe at an estate sale, I simply ask to whom the pipe belongs.  Usually I am told that it was their father's or grandfather's.  I then ask, "did he go  to college and which one?"  I learned the hard way, you ask these questions after you have paid, and the pipe is in your pocket.  Another clue is the source of the pipe. The Owl Shop has supplied, almost exclusively, the "Yale" pipes. The 1917 Brown University pipe was branded by a tobacconist that was practically on the campus.  With others, a lucky google search of the tobacconist name on the pipes will sometimes turn up the store's location.


I bought a class pipe in Ann Arbor, Michigan at a garage sale that had numerous  University of Michigan items.  I asked where they all came from and was told by the seller that her husband's grandfather graduated from Michigan and the pipe had been his. Surprisingly, even eBay sellers have been helpful.  After purchase, and tracking showing the pipe had shipped,  I simply ask the seller, if they knew, or could find out any provenance regarding the purchased pipe.  Several were selling for friends and provided school provenance.. A pipe that is pre 1910 can safely be assumed to have come from a large eastern college as it took some time for the  "fad"  to move west.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
<gallery widths=250 heights=200 caption="1907 Yale Class Pipe, in Meerschaum, which is very rare. This is the only meerschaum Class Pipe seen by the author.  Courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
1907ClassYaleMeerscuam.jpg
1907ClassYaleMeerscuam2.jpg
1907ClassYaleMeerscuam3.jpg
</gallery>
 
 
=== Clues to Matching a particular pipe to its College or University ===
[[File:1915-CornellUniversityStudentPaperPipeShopAd.jpg|thumb|1915 Cornell University Student Paper Pipe Shop Ad, courtesy Brian Robertson]][[File:LLStoddardAd.jpg|thumb|LL Stoddard Class Pipe ad, courtesy Brian Robertson]][[File:NewHavenDrugAd.jpg|thumb|New Haven Drug store ad, courtesy Brian Robertson]][[File:REJollyAd.jpg|thumb|RE Jolly ad, courtesy Brian Robertson]][[File:StrandAd.jpg|thumb|Strand Class Pipe Ad, courtesy Brian Robertson]][[File:WhatJoeAd.jpg|thumb|Class Pipe Ad, courtesy Brian Robertson]][[File:DurhamAd.jpg|thumb|Class Pipe Ad, courtesy Brian Robertson]][[File:1918PrincetonGlokar.jpg|thumb|1918 Princeton Glokar, captured as it may have looked in the school paper in 1918, courtesy Brian Roberston]][[File:1933ColumbiaUniversityNewspaperAd.jpg|thumb|1933 Columbia University Student Newspaper Ad including options and prices for lettering, numerals, and pipe brands, courtesy Brian Robertson]][[File:1920ColumbiaUniversityStudentNewspaperClassPipeAd.jpg|thumb|1920 Columbia University Student Newspaper Class Pipe Ad, courtesy Brian Robertson]][[File:1925CornellSmokerPamphlet.jpg|thumb|1925 Cornell Smoker Pamphlet, featuring a Class Pipe, courtesy Brian Robertson]][[File:1937PrincetonStudentNewspaperPrinceAlbertAd.jpg|thumb|1937 Princeton Student Newspaper Price Albert Ad, with a Class Pipe reference, courtesy Brian Robertson]][[File:Broken1920NewYorkUniversityClassPipe.jpg|thumb|Sadly, a broken 1920 New York University [[WDC]] Milano Class Pipe, courtesy Brian Robertson]]There are several clues that can be used to provide a degree of provenance in matching a class pipe with its corresponding college or university.  An excellent method of determining a class pipe’s identity is researching college and university student newspapers.  Many of the eastern college student newspapers have archives that can be viewed.  For instance, if you have a pipe emblazoned with a '''"C"''' and a year, and you guess that it is a "Cornell" pipe, upon visiting newspaper archive you can search "class pipe (plus the year") or "class pipe committee (plus the year) ".  The result in some cases will be an article actually describing the design of the chosen silver letters, and numerals.  The article may even declare the brand of pipe, and its corresponding shape (straight or bent). This method is not always fruitful and oftentimes requires slogging through a long list of articles.  It is heaven for the research geek.  When I purchase a pipe at an estate sale, I simply ask to whom the pipe belongs.  Usually I am told that it was their father's or grandfather's.  I then ask, "did he go  to college and which one?"  I learned the hard way, you ask these questions after you have paid, and the pipe is in your pocket.  Another clue is the source of the pipe. The Owl Shop has supplied, almost exclusively, the "Yale" pipes. The 1917 Brown University pipe was branded by a tobacconist that was practically on the campus.  With others, a lucky google search of the tobacconist name on the pipes will sometimes turn up the store's location.
 
I bought a class pipe in Ann Arbor, Michigan at a garage sale that had numerous  University of Michigan items.  I asked where they all came from and was told by the seller that her husband's grandfather graduated from Michigan and the pipe had been his. Surprisingly, even eBay sellers have been helpful.  After purchase, and tracking showing the pipe had shipped,  I simply ask the seller, if they knew, or could find out any provenance regarding the purchased pipe.  Several were selling for friends and provided school provenance.. A pipe that is pre 1910 can safely be assumed to have come from a large eastern college as it took some time for the  "fad"  to move west.
 
=== The Class Pipe Committee Process ===
The "class pipe committee" that was either appointed or elected were in charge of selecting or creating a new design annually.  The committee would seek out several pipe shops and present their design. The pipe shops would look over the designs, suggest a current popular brand pipe and offer a discounted price on the pipe itself and a separate price for the design and numeral application.  This "bargain arrangement"  was contingent on a  predetermined number of students ordering the class pipe.  In several articles the number of required student orders seems to have been100.  This appears to have been the general process from the early 1900's through the twenties.  Around 1930, with the financial  devastation of the Great Depression, class pipe references are scarce during this decade.  I even ran across a class pipe selection being a Sasieni "sub-brand".  Formerly, only top of the line pipes were selected.  The tradition returned in the 1940's, but without previous earlier years interest.   
 
[[File:1910LehighUniversityMinutes(PipeVersusCap).jpg|thumb|This account appears in 1910 at Lehigh University, more or less at the heyday of this fine tradition. But perhaps it foretells it's eventual demise]]
=== The Waning of the Once Thriving Tradition === 
In my opinion the interest in the class pipe tradition slowly disappeared as a result of diminished pipe smoking on campuses, with the increased popularity of cigarette smoking following World War II.  Simply put, in the 50's and 60's , the majority of  young college men felt they had a "cooler" image while smoking a cigarette.  By the early to mid 1960's, the class pipe tradition had essentially,  vanished.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
 
=== Author's Note: ===
I apologize for not saving my many google search sources for this information. At the time, I did not consider the countless hours I spent poking around on google would lead to documenting my hobby of collecting Class Pipes. I feel, while perhaps not worthy of a dedicated chapter in Pipe History, Class Pipes are at least worthy of a footnote.  '''''Brian Robertson'''''
 


'''Author's Note:''' I apologize for not saving my many google search sources for this information. At the time, I did not consider the countless hours I spent poking around on google would lead to documenting my hobby of collecting Class Pipes. I feel, while perhaps not worthy of a dedicated chapter in Pipe History, Class Pipes are at least worthy of a footnote.  '''''Brian Robertson'''''
=== The Collection ===
<gallery widths=300 heights=300 caption="1927 Loyola Class Pipe, by [[Dunhill]], with a 1925 PAT., courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
<gallery widths=300 heights=300 caption="1927 Loyola Class Pipe, by [[Dunhill]], with a 1925 PAT., courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
Dunhill-1927LoyolaClass(1925PAT).jpg
Dunhill-1927LoyolaClass(1925PAT).jpg
Dunhill-1927LoyolaClass(1925PAT)2.jpg
Dunhill-1927LoyolaClass(1925PAT)2.jpg
Dunhill-1927LoyolaClass(1925PAT)3.jpg
Dunhill-1927LoyolaClass(1925PAT)3b.jpg
Dunhill-1927LoyolaClass(1925PAT)4.jpg
Dunhill-1927LoyolaClass(1925PAT)4.jpg
Dunhill-1927LoyolaClass(1925PAT)5.jpg
Dunhill-1927LoyolaClass(1925PAT)5.jpg
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<gallery widths=300 heights=300 caption="1906 [[WDC]] Cornell Class pipe, courtesy Brian Roberston collection">
<gallery widths=300 heights=300 caption="1925 Harvard University [[WDC]] Stratford, courtesy Brian Roberston collection">
1925HarvardWDCStratford.jpg
1925HarvardWDCStratford2.jpg
1925HarvardWDCStratford3.jpg
</gallery>
 
 
<gallery widths=300 heights=300 caption="1906 [[WDC]] Columbia Class pipe, courtesy Brian Roberston collection">
WDC-1906Cornell1b.jpg
WDC-1906Cornell2b.jpg
File:WDC-1906Cornell3.jpg
File:WDC-1906Cornell3.jpg
File:WDC-1906Cornell4.jpg
File:WDC-1906Cornell4.jpg
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File:WDC-Milano-1925AmherstClassPipe.jpg|[[WDC]] Milano, 1925 Amherst College Class Pipe
File:WDC-Milano-1925AmherstClassPipe.jpg|[[WDC]] Milano, 1925 Amherst College Class Pipe
</gallery>
</gallery>
<gallery widths=400 heights=400 caption="1930 Ursinus College Class Pipe, a [[WDC]] Hesson-Milano with a 1925 Patent, courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
WDC-Hesson-Milano-1925Patent-1930UrsinusCollegeClassPipe.jpg
WDC-Hesson-Milano-1925Patent-1930UrsinusCollegeClassPipe2.jpg
WDC-Hesson-Milano-1925Patent-1930UrsinusCollegeClassPipe3.jpg
</gallery>




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<gallery widths=250 heights=200 caption="1907 Yale Class Pipe in Meerschaum, courtesy Brian Richardson collection">
[[File:1925WDC-Milano-AmherstClassPipe.jpg|thumb|200px|WDC-Milano 1925 Amherst College Class Pipe, courtesy Brian Robertson collection]]
1907ClassYaleMeerscuam.jpg
<gallery widths=300 heights=200 caption="[[WDC]]-Milano 1925 Amherst College Class Pipe, courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
1907ClassYaleMeerscuam2.jpg
1925WDC-Milano-AmherstClassPipe2.jpg
1907ClassYaleMeerscuam3.jpg
1925WDC-Milano-AmherstClassPipe3.jpg
</gallery>
 
 
 
[[File:1818--BBB-UniversitySmokeShopClassPipeAdd.jpg|thumb|600px|University Smoke Shop 1918 Class Pipe Ad, courtesy Brian Robertson]]
<gallery widths=300 heights=250 caption="[[BBB]] Own Make, Glokar 1918 Cornel Class Pipe, courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
1918-CornellClassPipe-BBB.jpg
1918-CornellClassPipe-BBB2.jpg
1918-CornellClassPipe-BBB3.jpg
1918-CornellClassPipe-BBB4.jpg
</gallery>
 
 
[[File:1911UofMichiganGlokar.jpg|thumb|1911 University of Michigan Class pipe, a 1909 [[BBB]] Glokar, courtesy Brian Robertson]][[File:Unofficial-UofMichaganClassPipe.jpg|thumb|An unofficial, University of Michigan Class Pipe. It is unbranded, but has U.M stamped on the bottom of the bowl, along with the raised relief silver painted '''M''', courtesy Brian Robertson]]
<gallery widths=300 heights=250 caption="1911 University of Michigan Class pipe, a 1909 [[BBB]] Glokar, courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
1911UofMichiganGlokar2.jpg
1911UofMichiganGlokar3.jpg
1911UofMichiganGlokar4.jpg
</gallery>
 
 
 
[[File:SmokeShopProvidenceMatchbook.jpg|thumb|JRV Smokeshop Matchbook, Providence, R.I., courtesy Brian Robertson]]
<gallery widths=300 heights=300 caption="1917 Brown University Class Pipe, courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
1917BrownUniversityClassPipe.jpg
1917BrownUniversityClassPipe2.jpg
1917BrownUniversityClassPipe3.jpg
</gallery>
 
 
[[File:1915PrincetonClassPipe.jpg|thumb|1918 Princeton University Class pipe, a 1915 [[BBB]] Glokar, courtesy Brian Robertson]]
<gallery widths=300 heights=250 caption="1918 Princeton University Class pipe, a 1915 [[BBB]] Glokar, courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
1915PrincetonClassPipe2.jpg
1915PrincetonClassPipe3.jpg
1915PrincetonClassPipe4.jpg
1915PrincetonClassPipe5.jpg
</gallery>
 
 
 
[[File:LHS-Sterncraft1954YaleUniversityClassPipe.jpg|thumb|[[LHS]]-Sterncraft 1954 Yale University Class Pipe, courtesy Brian Robertson collection]]
<gallery widths=300 heights=200 caption="[[LHS]]-Sterncraft 1954 Yale University Class Pipe, courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
LHS-Sterncraft1954YaleUniversityClassPipe2.jpg
LHS-Sterncraft1954YaleUniversityClassPipe3.jpg
</gallery>
 
 
 
<gallery widths=300 heights=250 caption="1940 Brown University [[Kaywoodie]] Drinkless Class Pipe, courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
1940BrownUniversityKaywoodiedDrinklessClassPipe.jpg
1940BrownUniversityKaywoodiedDrinklessClassPipe2.jpg
1940BrownUniversityKaywoodiedDrinklessClassPipe3.jpg
</gallery>
 
<gallery widths=300 heights=300 caption="1926 Cornell '[[Percolator]]' Class Pipe, with a 1919 patent, courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
1926Cornell-Percolator(1919Patent).jpg|Cornell Football Team Photo--A remote possibility someone in this photo may have owned this pipe!
1926Cornell-Percolator(1919Patent)2.jpg
1926Cornell-Percolator(1919Patent)3.jpg
1926Cornell-Percolator(1919Patent)4.jpg
</gallery>
'''Note:''' We have been unable to find any information about the [[Percolator]] pipe. It appears to have room in the shank and stem for a very large filter, or perhaps a sponge. 
 
 
<gallery widths=300 heights=300 caption="1949 Yale Class Pipe, an [[Owl Shop]] Jeffersonian, courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
1949YaleClassPipe-OwlShopJeffersonian2.jpg
1949YaleClassPipe-OwlShopJeffersonian3.jpg
1949YaleClassPipe-OwlShopJeffersonian.jpg
</gallery>
 
 
<gallery widths=300 heights=300 caption="Rare Carved Class Pipe, 1912 Dartmouth 'HUB' (possibly unofficial), courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
1912Dartmouth-Hub_CarvedClassPipe.jpg
1912Dartmouth-Hub_CarvedClassPipe2.jpg
1912Dartmouth-Hub_CarvedClassPipe3.jpg
1912Dartmouth-Hub_CarvedClassPipe4.jpg
</gallery>
'''Note:''' Carved Class Pipes were elected in the 1890's and seldom seen in the 1900's. Due to the inferior quality of the example above, it may be an unofficial one off.
 
 
 
<gallery widths=300 heights=300 caption="Circa 1950s Brown/Boston University Monogramed Class Pipe (possibly unofficial), courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
Circa1950Brown-BostonClassPipe.jpg
Circa1950Brown-BostonClassPipe2.jpg
Circa1950Brown-BostonClassPipe3.jpg
</gallery>
 
 
 
<gallery widths=300 heights=500 caption="University of North Carolina [[Medico]] Alma Mater Class Pipe, courtesy Brian Roberston collection">
UniversityOfNorthCarolinaAlmaMaterClassPipe.jpg
UniversityOfNorthCarolinaAlmaMaterClassPipe2.jpg
UniversityOfNorthCarolinaAlmaMaterClassPipe3.jpg
</gallery>
 
 
[[File:SaracusseUniversityComoyRoyalFalconClassPipe.jpg|thumb|Syracuse University [[Comoy]] Royal Falcon Class Pipe, Courtesy Brian Robertson collection]]
<gallery widths=300 heights=200 caption="Syracuse University [[Comoy]] Royal Falcon Class Pipe, courtesy Brian Roberston collection">
SaracusseUniversityComoyRoyalFalconClassPipe2.jpg
SaracusseUniversityComoyRoyalFalconClassPipe3.jpg
1936SaracusseUniversityCo-opAD.jpg|Syracuse University Student Newspaper Class Pipe Ad
</gallery>
 
 
[[File:1950sMedicoAlmaMaterClassPipeAdd.jpg|thumb|Circa 1950s [[Medico]] Alma Mater Class Pipe Ad, courtesy Brian Robertson]]
<gallery widths=300 heights=300 caption="Circa 1950s [[Medico]] mail order class pipes (The P 59 was unofficially confirmed as Purdue), courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
1950sMedicoAlmaMaterClassPipes.jpg
1950sMedicoAlmaMaterClassPipes2.jpg
1950sMedicoAlmaMaterClassPipes3.jpg
</gallery>
 
 
<gallery widths=300 heights=300 caption="1946 Princeton Class Pipe, a [[Wally Frank]] 'The Bowler', courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
1946PrincetonWalllyFrank.jpg
1946PrincetonWalllyFrank2.jpg
1946PrincetonWalllyFrank3.jpg
</gallery>
 
 
[[File:1914Cornell1911Glokar.jpg|thumb|1914 Conrell University Class Pipe, which is a 1911 [[BBB]] Glokar, courtesy Brian Robertson]]<gallery widths=300 heights=300 caption="A 1911 [[BBB]] Glokar inlayed as a 1914 Cornell Class University Pipe. Apparently the student purchased the pipe during his freshman year. While freshmen could purchase class pipes, they could not smoke them until their sophomore year. Courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
1914Cornell1911Glokar2.jpg
1914Cornell1911Glokar3.jpg
1914Cornell1911Glokar4.jpg
</gallery>
 
 
 
<gallery widths=300 heights=300 caption="1923 University of Wisconsin Class Pipe, a [[BBB]] 'Own Make' Ultonia. Courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
1923UofWisconsinBBB.jpg
1923UofWisconsinBBB2.jpg
1923UofWisconsinBBB3.jpg
</gallery>
</gallery>




[[File:BBBGlokarATOmega6.jpg|thumb|500px|Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity pipe and information, courtesy Brian Robertson collection]]<gallery widths=250 heights=250 caption="In addition to Class Pipes, there also came to be Fraternity pipes, as can be seen by this Alpha Tau Omega example, courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
 
=== Fraternity Pipes ===
=== Fraternity Pipes ===
[[File:BBBGlokarATOmega6.jpg|thumb|500px|1910 [[BBB]] Glokar Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity pipe and information, courtesy Brian Robertson collection]]<gallery widths=250 heights=250 caption="In addition to Class Pipes, there also came to be Fraternity pipes, as can be seen by this Alpha Tau Omega example, courtesy Brian Robertson collection">
File:BBBGlokarATOmega5.jpg
File:BBBGlokarATOmega5.jpg
File:BBBGlokarATOmega4.jpg
File:BBBGlokarATOmega4.jpg
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File:BBBGlokarATOmega.jpg
File:BBBGlokarATOmega.jpg
</gallery>
</gallery>
[[File:1930sKaywoodieRockyBriar(m1842)PKE-FratPipe.jpg|thumb|1930s [[Kaywoodie]] Rocky Briar (model 1842) Phi Kappa Epsilon Fraternity Pipe, courtesy Brian Robertson collection]][[File:1919DartmouthFratParty.jpg|thumb|A grainy photo with a 1922 Class Pipe and "1919 Dartmouth Frat Party" written on the back, courtesy Brian Robertson]]
<gallery widths=300 heights=200 caption="Circa 1930s [[Kaufmann Bros. & Bondy]], [[Kaywoodie]] Rocky Briar (model 1842) Phi Kappa Epsilon Fraternity Pipe, courtesy Brian Roberston Collection">
1930sKaywoodieRockyBriar(m1842)PKE-FratPipe2.jpg
1930sKaywoodieRockyBriar(m1842)PKE-FratPipe3.jpg
1930sKaywoodieRockyBriar(m1842)PKE-FratPipe4.jpg
</gallery>
<gallery widths=300 heights=300 caption="Phi Delta Theta Captain Black Fraternity Pipe, courtesy Brian Robertson Collection">
PhiDeltaThetaCaptainBlackFratPipe.jpg
PhiDeltaThetaCaptainBlackFratPipe2.jpg
PhiDeltaThetaCaptainBlackFratPipe3.jpg
</gallery>
<gallery widths=300 heights=300 caption="PSI Omega Dental Fraternity Pipe, a St. James by [[Comoy]], courtesy Brian Robertson Collection">
PSI-Omega DentalFratPipe.jpg
PSI-Omega DentalFratPipe2.jpg
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</gallery>
<gallery widths=300 heights=300 caption="Alph Epsilon Lamda Amateur Carved Fraternity Pipe, a circa 1940s [[Kaufmann Bros. & Bondy]] [[Yello-Bole]]. Courtesy Brian Robertson Collection">
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'''Note:''' Introduced in the 1940's, the Stembiter model featured a beveled area in front of the stem button with a hole that went all the way through the twin bore stem.  The feature was touted to end "stem chewing", and in their ads targeted smokers with "strong teeth"

Revision as of 18:27, 19 May 2021

College Class Pipes
A brief treatise by avid collector, Brian Robertson


“Arthur held a heavy buldog Yale class pipe in his hand, the pipe had a large 'Y' on the front, flanked on each side by numerals,,,,,1907”
-- from Eugene O'Neill's play, Ah, Wilderness!

A grouping of Glokar branded BBB Class pipes: Two Cornells, a Princeton, and a University of Michigan, courtesy Brian Robertson collection
A grouping of Yale Class pipes from the Owl Shop, courtesy Brian Robertson collection

Introduction and Origins of The Class Pipe Tradition

This photo dated June 17th, 1935 shows Yale graduates smoking clay pipes, which were afterward broken and ground into the dirt to symbolize their passage from their "Bright" college days. Other Eastern Colleges had similar traditions. Courtesy Brian Robertson
Princeton Class Day, June 17, 1935, showing the tradition of seniors smashing clay pipes against the school's cannon. Courtesy Brian Robertson

Around 1900 and slightly earlier, pipe smoking on college campuses, by faculty and students, seems to have been the tobacco implement of choice. From the 1890's until at least the early 1940's , the pipe was the "big man on campus". My research indicates that several Eastern colleges in the late 1800's had a single "class pipe" that was smoked during a school ceremony, marking the end of a school year. Emulating early western movie scenes, the pipe was passed among faculty and chosen ranking students, not unlike the native American "peace pipe" shown in those same films. Some colleges even had a pipe annually used in a ritual, not a "class pipe", but literally referred to as "the peace pipe". This "peace pipe” was smoked by the warring "tribes" of the senior and junior classes, symbolically ending their conflict as the seniors graduated.

During a period when pipe smoking registered among the principle pastimes cultivated by students, a yet to be credited marketing genius came up with the idea to place a silver letter on the outward facing bowl of a pipe . Young men couldn't wait to have someone remark "oh, you must be a Yale man", or Princeton, or Harvard, etc.. Then around 1900, Mr. Lew L. Stoddard came up with an idea that would change the fad into a tradition. He put a student’s class year on the pipe, along with the school initial. Student class pride and rivalries were fierce, so this was an excellent way of displaying "class pride". In a 1908 ad, Mr. Stoddard claims to be "the originator of numerals on the class pipe". In a recently found earlier ad Mr. Stoddard claims to be the originator of the "class pipe", and he may well be. Yale university may have been the first college to adopt the "student class pipe". In a 1900 newspaper article it is reported that Yale students would adopt a class pipe instead of their usual class cane, which I have to assume was the current tradition of the period. It appears this was not done as a substitute for the original single class pipe, used in the year end ritual, but the beginning of a new tradition for students.

As the popularity of the class pipe grew, more local pipe shops and tobacconists added class pipe offerings to students. In many cases campuses elected students to "class pipe committees" to seek out new designs for each year. The samples would then be voted on, and students would place orders on the winning design. In a 1912 article this process was mentioned as taking place at Purdue University in Indiana. Ads for class pipes from around the same period have been seen as far west as Idaho University. I recall reading a mention of a West Point class pipe (circa 1907), that had raised letters and numerals upon a silver shield. The cadet would need a strong jaw, and perhaps wear a glove to protect his hand from being burned after a couple of bowls had been smoked in such a design.

Many pipe shops offered "class pipes" across the country. They would charge a fee for the school letter, and an additional fee for each numeral. The famous Yale University Owl Shop was one of these shops, and the venerable J. Middleton shop of Philadelphia was a nationwide source for class pipes.



Clues to Matching a particular pipe to its College or University

1915 Cornell University Student Paper Pipe Shop Ad, courtesy Brian Robertson
LL Stoddard Class Pipe ad, courtesy Brian Robertson
New Haven Drug store ad, courtesy Brian Robertson
RE Jolly ad, courtesy Brian Robertson
Strand Class Pipe Ad, courtesy Brian Robertson
Class Pipe Ad, courtesy Brian Robertson
Class Pipe Ad, courtesy Brian Robertson
1918 Princeton Glokar, captured as it may have looked in the school paper in 1918, courtesy Brian Roberston
1933 Columbia University Student Newspaper Ad including options and prices for lettering, numerals, and pipe brands, courtesy Brian Robertson
1920 Columbia University Student Newspaper Class Pipe Ad, courtesy Brian Robertson
1925 Cornell Smoker Pamphlet, featuring a Class Pipe, courtesy Brian Robertson
1937 Princeton Student Newspaper Price Albert Ad, with a Class Pipe reference, courtesy Brian Robertson
Sadly, a broken 1920 New York University WDC Milano Class Pipe, courtesy Brian Robertson

There are several clues that can be used to provide a degree of provenance in matching a class pipe with its corresponding college or university. An excellent method of determining a class pipe’s identity is researching college and university student newspapers. Many of the eastern college student newspapers have archives that can be viewed. For instance, if you have a pipe emblazoned with a "C" and a year, and you guess that it is a "Cornell" pipe, upon visiting newspaper archive you can search "class pipe (plus the year") or "class pipe committee (plus the year) ". The result in some cases will be an article actually describing the design of the chosen silver letters, and numerals. The article may even declare the brand of pipe, and its corresponding shape (straight or bent). This method is not always fruitful and oftentimes requires slogging through a long list of articles. It is heaven for the research geek. When I purchase a pipe at an estate sale, I simply ask to whom the pipe belongs. Usually I am told that it was their father's or grandfather's. I then ask, "did he go to college and which one?" I learned the hard way, you ask these questions after you have paid, and the pipe is in your pocket. Another clue is the source of the pipe. The Owl Shop has supplied, almost exclusively, the "Yale" pipes. The 1917 Brown University pipe was branded by a tobacconist that was practically on the campus. With others, a lucky google search of the tobacconist name on the pipes will sometimes turn up the store's location.

I bought a class pipe in Ann Arbor, Michigan at a garage sale that had numerous University of Michigan items. I asked where they all came from and was told by the seller that her husband's grandfather graduated from Michigan and the pipe had been his. Surprisingly, even eBay sellers have been helpful. After purchase, and tracking showing the pipe had shipped, I simply ask the seller, if they knew, or could find out any provenance regarding the purchased pipe. Several were selling for friends and provided school provenance.. A pipe that is pre 1910 can safely be assumed to have come from a large eastern college as it took some time for the "fad" to move west.

The Class Pipe Committee Process

The "class pipe committee" that was either appointed or elected were in charge of selecting or creating a new design annually. The committee would seek out several pipe shops and present their design. The pipe shops would look over the designs, suggest a current popular brand pipe and offer a discounted price on the pipe itself and a separate price for the design and numeral application. This "bargain arrangement" was contingent on a predetermined number of students ordering the class pipe. In several articles the number of required student orders seems to have been100. This appears to have been the general process from the early 1900's through the twenties. Around 1930, with the financial devastation of the Great Depression, class pipe references are scarce during this decade. I even ran across a class pipe selection being a Sasieni "sub-brand". Formerly, only top of the line pipes were selected. The tradition returned in the 1940's, but without previous earlier years interest.

This account appears in 1910 at Lehigh University, more or less at the heyday of this fine tradition. But perhaps it foretells it's eventual demise

The Waning of the Once Thriving Tradition

In my opinion the interest in the class pipe tradition slowly disappeared as a result of diminished pipe smoking on campuses, with the increased popularity of cigarette smoking following World War II. Simply put, in the 50's and 60's , the majority of young college men felt they had a "cooler" image while smoking a cigarette. By the early to mid 1960's, the class pipe tradition had essentially, vanished.

Author's Note:

I apologize for not saving my many google search sources for this information. At the time, I did not consider the countless hours I spent poking around on google would lead to documenting my hobby of collecting Class Pipes. I feel, while perhaps not worthy of a dedicated chapter in Pipe History, Class Pipes are at least worthy of a footnote. Brian Robertson


The Collection











WDC-Milano 1925 Amherst College Class Pipe, courtesy Brian Robertson collection


University Smoke Shop 1918 Class Pipe Ad, courtesy Brian Robertson


1911 University of Michigan Class pipe, a 1909 BBB Glokar, courtesy Brian Robertson
An unofficial, University of Michigan Class Pipe. It is unbranded, but has U.M stamped on the bottom of the bowl, along with the raised relief silver painted M, courtesy Brian Robertson


JRV Smokeshop Matchbook, Providence, R.I., courtesy Brian Robertson


1918 Princeton University Class pipe, a 1915 BBB Glokar, courtesy Brian Robertson


LHS-Sterncraft 1954 Yale University Class Pipe, courtesy Brian Robertson collection


Note: We have been unable to find any information about the Percolator pipe. It appears to have room in the shank and stem for a very large filter, or perhaps a sponge.



Note: Carved Class Pipes were elected in the 1890's and seldom seen in the 1900's. Due to the inferior quality of the example above, it may be an unofficial one off.




Syracuse University Comoy Royal Falcon Class Pipe, Courtesy Brian Robertson collection


Circa 1950s Medico Alma Mater Class Pipe Ad, courtesy Brian Robertson



1914 Conrell University Class Pipe, which is a 1911 BBB Glokar, courtesy Brian Robertson



Fraternity Pipes

Fraternity Pipes

1910 BBB Glokar Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity pipe and information, courtesy Brian Robertson collection


1930s Kaywoodie Rocky Briar (model 1842) Phi Kappa Epsilon Fraternity Pipe, courtesy Brian Robertson collection
A grainy photo with a 1922 Class Pipe and "1919 Dartmouth Frat Party" written on the back, courtesy Brian Robertson




Note: Introduced in the 1940's, the Stembiter model featured a beveled area in front of the stem button with a hole that went all the way through the twin bore stem. The feature was touted to end "stem chewing", and in their ads targeted smokers with "strong teeth"