Dr. Grabow

Dr. Paul E. Grabow was a general physician in Chicago, living in 2348 N. Seminary Ave. Some doors north at No. 2400 was the drug store of Mr. Brown, which featured the usual ice cream bar, wire chairs and metal tables. Grabow and Brown, both fond of fly-fishing, were friends. They used to have a little chat in the early evening hours in a back room of the shop enjoying their pipes. Soon they were associated by Mr. Linkman, owner of M. Linkman & Co., a big pipe factory situated one block west on W. Fullerton Ave. at the corner of Racine Ave. These three gentlemen were soon connected by close friendship.

Once while their daily meetings around 1930 Linkman mentioned he would introduce a new type of pipe soon, which exhibited some fine improvements. He was still looking for a good name and imagined this pipe probably would sell better, if it was given the name of a physician. (1) Following the mood of the moment Linkman asked Dr. Grabow, if he would permit to use his name as Linkman liked the sound of the name. The good doctor felt flattered by the idea a pipe should be designated for him and consented. A formal agreement was not made, but Linkman expressed his thanks by sending Dr. Grabow the one or other Dr. Grabow pipe later on.

Dr. Paul E. Grabow deceased in 1965 at the age of 97 years. The brand became one of the American pipe legends.

War times

Ad 1946

The production of the pipes started in 1930/31. In 1937 Linkman began calling his pipes “Pre-Smoked”. An ad dating from 1946 celebrates it as "America's most wanted pipes" and the text announces that each Dr. Grabow gets broken in on the Linkman's Automatic Smoking Machine with the fine Edgeworth tobacco. In 1949 the official name read Dr. Grabow Pipe Company Inc. with seat at W. Fullerton Avenue 1150, Chicago 14, Illinois. (Thus the Linkman factory.) Series: Special, De Luxe, Supreme, Tru’ Grain, Select Grain.

In 1952 Linkman (aged over 80 years) retired as president of M. Linkman & Co. and until 1955 the owner had changed and a removal had taken place: Henry Leonard & Thomas Inc., P.O. box 375, Greensboro, North Carolina. Five series were offered: Dr. Grabow Standard, De Luxe, Supreme, Tru’ Grain, Select.

1969 it was Dr. Grabow Pre Smoked Pipes, P.O. box 21888, Greensboro, NC 27420. The program had been enlarged: Lark, Duke, Grand Duke, Riviera, Crown Duke, Savoy, Royal Duke, Viking, Regal, Silver Duke, Golden Duke, Starfire, Viscount, Commodore, Eldorado. (Prices margin in the given order 1.50 - 10.00 $.)

On Jan. 26th 2006 Nick Bumbacco, president of Lane Limited in Tucker, Georgia, announced the sale of the Dr. Grabow pipe factory - meanwhile in Sparta, NC – to International Pipes & Accessories LLC. Dr. Grabow is America’s biggest pipemaker at that time with approximately 250,000 to 300,000 pipes per year, which are manufactured by 62 persons employed. As reason for the 4.3 million $ deal, which also included Dr. Grabow Pipe Filters and Dill's Pipe Cleaners, Lane Limited (daughter of Reynolds American Inc.) said they wanted to concentrate in the future only on their core business as manufacturers and distributers of tobacco goods.

(1) It was a very common use to name pipes "Doctor X's" throughout the 1920's and 1930's worldwide! Uncounted "systems" and filter types were invented suggesting to smoke not only very pleasantly but even more in a very sophisticated i.e. healthy way. (At least some hindered the pipe from gargling...) As many others did also Linkman / Grabow went as far as asuring the pipe had been developed by the Doctor himself.