Moretti

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Revision as of 04:16, 12 August 2007 by Sethile (talk | contribs) (New page: Moretti's [http://www.pipemoretti.com website] '''Pipe Moretti: The Pipe and the Pipe Maker -- Both Italian Gems, by Fred Hanna''' ''This article was originally published in The Pipe Col...)
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Moretti's website

Pipe Moretti: The Pipe and the Pipe Maker -- Both Italian Gems, by Fred Hanna

This article was originally published in The Pipe Collector, the North American Society of Pipe Collectors newsletter (http://www.naspc.org/ NASP), and is used here by permission. It's a great orginazation--consider becoming a member.

My name is Joseph Hornsby, and I have been a pipe smoker and collector since 1997. I am a veteran police officer in Greenville, South Carolina, presently working as a Forensic Technician. One day, I was dispatched to a residential burglary and met a man who would expose me to a true pipe artisan and a real gentleman, Mr. Marco Biagini.

"Well, sir, I have processed all areas that I believe were conducive and suitable to retaining fingerprints. I will take the collected fingerprints and run them through A.F.I.S. for any possible matches," I said. The stately, gray-haired gentleman thanked me and continued puffing on his pipe. "Sir, if I may compliment you on your beautiful pipe, beautiful grain." The gentleman's eyes lit up upon hearing my comment. "Are you a pipe smoker, young man?" I proceeded to tell him that I was, and suddenly, before we knew it, we had been chatting about the wonders and pleasures of the pipe and pipe smoking.

"What kind of pipe are you smoking," he asked. "Well, I have quite an assortment, from low grades to high grades, but I have developed a real fondness for Italian handmades." The gentleman asked if I had ever smoked a Moretti. "Smoked a Moretti? No, sir, I'm afraid I've not been exposed to those pipes." "You are missing a real treat, wonderful smokers, beautiful grain, that's what I'm smoking now." "May I ask where you obtained it from"? The gentleman replied that he had been given the light-stained Canadian by his daughter. "Well, sir, I'm going to have to find out more about Moretti Pipes." We said our farewells, and off I went to yet another call, not forgetting the brief pleasantries shared.

The following day, I began looking online for information on Moretti pipes. As it turned out, there it was, as easy as one could hope for: www.pipemoretti.com. As I browsed the website and read the history of PIPE MORETTI, I found that I kept looking at the various pipes offered for sale and was quite pleased with some of the prices. Some of the pipes started at 52 EURO, which is approximately $56.00. I decided to send Marco Biagini an e-mail and commend him on his site and the pipes he offered for sale.

As it turned out, Marco is a former police officer, or "Carabiniere," who began making pipes in 1983 after his father-in-law, Mr. Igino Moretti, was no longer able to maintain the business alone. Marco and I immediately hit it off, with repeated e-mails back and forth. I found Marco to be a true gentleman and a sincerely honest man who was kind and friendly, referring to everyone as "friend." After looking and asking repeated questions of Marco, I finally narrowed my choice down to four pipes and asked Marco to provide his opinion as to the grain of each. Marco was inquisitive as to my likes and preferences in pipes. I eventually decided on a bent billiard and placed the order on Feb. 28.

Marco and I continued to chat while I eagerly awaited the newest member of my pipe family. On March 10th, after running the mail carrier down, I finally had the package in hand. The pipe was far more beautiful than the picture indicated, and the feel was excellent. Much to my surprise, Marco had also enclosed one of his carved briar tampers.

The next day, after rubbing a little maple syrup on the inside of the bowl, I packed "Blondie," as she is affectionately called, with Caledonian Highland Cream from AC Peterson. WOW! I was amazed at just how well the pipe smoked and how little lighting I needed to keep the tobacco burning at a nice, cool, dry smoke. My wife, Aimee, as she always does whenever I obtain a new pipe, asked what I thought. Upon seeing my smile, she simply said, "That good, huh?" And yes, it was that good and even better.

So I had to learn more about Marco and Pipe Moretti, since obviously Marco had gained a fan and friend for life. I asked Marco how many pipes he produces a year. With an average of 1,000, Marco says that most of his pipes are smooth, natural finishes. Marco uses only Calabrian briar because, in his opinion, the briar is the most resistant to heat. Marco says that he allows his briar to dry naturally between 10-12 years and sometimes as along as 15 years. Marco says that most of his mouthpieces are pre-formed, but he does make some by hand on occasions. Marco inserts a briar dot in each mouthpiece, a symbol of Moretti Pipes.

Marco does smoke a pipe on occasion but finds that he usually smokes cigars and cigarettes. Marco says that he enjoys making all shapes of pipes but most enjoys making the Dublin, Rhodesian and prince. Marco says that it usually takes between 5 to 12 hours on average to produce a new pipe. All his pipes are finished with 1200 sandpaper. Marco believes that the quality of the briar and the individual attention given to a pipe are what produces a quality smoke. Marco doesn't believe in filling flaws, preferring to leave sand pits and other minor flaws visible. Marco says, and I quote, "A beautiful woman is beautiful even if she has flaws, as is briar with its sand pits." Marco's pipes run from the $56 I mentioned up to $800 for some straight-grain horns I have viewed. Marco makes a lot of really large pipes. All his pipes are simply stamped "Moretti" and below that "Recanati."

Marco is still assisted on occasions by his father-in-law, Igino, who is now 73 years old. Marco says that a piece of briar with too many flaws is simply discarded instead of being blasted or rusticated. Marco prefers to sell to pipe smokers and collectors more so than dealers, though he and his family do run a retail shop in Recanati, Italy that carries his pipes. As Marco says, "I make all pipes with the same care because I want the best for my friends." Marco Biagini and his wife, Emanuela are charming, accommodating people who know no strangers and treat everyone as though they are life-long friends.

I often believe that the character of a pipe maker is evident in his or her work. Marco's character is reflected in the care and love he places in each pipe, making and sending them to friends yet to meet and friends never met, but nonetheless to friends.

This article was originally published in The Pipe Collector, the North American Society of Pipe Collectors newsletter (http://www.naspc.org/ NASP), and is used here by permission. It's a great orginazation--consider becoming a member.

Contact information: Vicolo dell’Olmo, 7 – 62019 Recanati (MC) ITALY; Tel. +39-0717570063 Fax +39-0717572459; Email: maitlo:marco@pipemoretti.com