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The History of Caminetto (shapes, stamping, articles, etc.): Difference between revisions

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The History of Caminetto (shapes, stamping, articles, etc.) (view source)

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Ironically enough, the increasing demand soon drove Ascorti and Radice to the limits of their production. The brand had been introduced successfully in Germany, and in Italy to some extent. By the end of 1970 more hands were needed. Even Ascorti's elder son, Roberto (born 1958; and the current owner) helped with stamping and shipping the pipes when he was yet a schoolboy. The most important employee is Cesare Vigano, who has worked for Caminetto / Ascorti for more than thirty years. To bring about more stability and higher production, Davoli invested a considerable amount of money in modern pipemaking machinery, and in doing so went from distributor to co-owner of Caminetto. By 1973, he held the vast majority of the company's capital. This would eventually bring about the friction between the "three chimneys."
Ironically enough, the increasing demand soon drove Ascorti and Radice to the limits of their production. The brand had been introduced successfully in Germany, and in Italy to some extent. By the end of 1970 more hands were needed. Even Ascorti's elder son, Roberto (born 1958; and the current owner) helped with stamping and shipping the pipes when he was yet a schoolboy. The most important employee is Cesare Vigano, who has worked for Caminetto / Ascorti for more than thirty years. To bring about more stability and higher production, Davoli invested a considerable amount of money in modern pipemaking machinery, and in doing so went from distributor to co-owner of Caminetto. By 1973, he held the vast majority of the company's capital. This would eventually bring about the friction between the "three chimneys."


The boom, especially in the USA, continued strongly. Production increasing steadily as 3,000, 5,000, and then 7,000 pipes per year were made, placing Caminetto at the top of the US sales in their market segment. The 1974 Tinderbox catalog celebrates Gianni Davoli as "master pipe maker and designer" and "the sole creator of the Caminetto" without a single mention of Ascorti or Radice!
The boom, especially in the USA, continued strongly. Production increasing steadily as 3,000, 5,000, and then 7,000 pipes per year were made, placing Caminetto at the top of the US sales in their market segment. The 1974 [[Tinder Box]] catalog celebrates Gianni Davoli as "master pipe maker and designer" and "the sole creator of the Caminetto" without a single mention of Ascorti or Radice!


In addition to Caminetto, Davoli sold a private label brand by Ascorti / Radice named Gianni for a couple of years in Italy. Caminetto prospered throughout the 70s. Everyone was hard at work, sales continued to increase, but soon there after, disagreements occurred among the three principles, marking the beginning of the end.
In addition to Caminetto, Davoli sold a private label brand by Ascorti / Radice named Gianni for a couple of years in Italy. Caminetto prospered throughout the 70s. Everyone was hard at work, sales continued to increase, but soon there after, disagreements occurred among the three principles, marking the beginning of the end.
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In addition to the above stampings, there was always the trademark mustache on the stem.  The earlier models (1968/69-1974/75) had the iconic gold, sometimes white, "bird-in-flight" mustache and the later models (1975-1979/80/81) had a gold, or white, "double comma" mustache. Tinder Box often stamped their shield on the pipes as well.  
In addition to the above stampings, there was always the trademark mustache on the stem.  The earlier models (1968/69-1974/75) had the iconic gold, sometimes white, "bird-in-flight" mustache and the later models (1975-1979/80/81) had a gold, or white, "double comma" mustache. Tinder Box often stamped their shield on the pipes as well.  


Now, the question is which stamps are earlier and more likely to have been made by Ascorti and/or Radice.  The answer is #1. The differences in #2 and #3 seem to be minute, as Cucciago is simply a suburb of Cantu.  Pipes stamped like #1 are the most valuable Caminetto's as they are the earliest production of the brand, as well as what some would claim the most perfect of Ascorti and Radice's work.  The last tidbit is, of course, debatable.
<center><gallery widths=250px heights=250px caption="Trademark Mustache examples, courtesy Doug Valitchka">
File:CaminettoSable09.jpg|"Bird-in-flight" (circa 1968/69-1974/75)
File:Comma Style.jpg|"double comma" (circa 1975-1979/80/81)
</gallery></center>
 
Now, the question is which stamps are earlier and more likely to have been made by Ascorti and/or Radice.  The answer is #1. The differences in #2 and #3 seem to be minute, as Cucciago is simply a suburb of Cantu.  Pipes stamped like #1 are the most valuable Caminetto's as they are the earliest production of the brand, as well as what some would claim the most perfect of Ascorti and Radice's work.  The last tidbit is, of course, debatable.  
 
 
<center><gallery widths=200px caption="SABLE D'OR, a rare sandblast finished pipe by Caminetto (note nomenclature, and 'bird-in-flight' mustache), courtesy Doug Valitchka">
File:CaminettoSable01.jpg
File:CaminettoSable07.jpg
File:CaminettoSable08.jpg
File:CaminettoSable09.jpg
</gallery></center>
 


There is also another factor in stamping, that is, which series the pipe falls in.  The majority of Caminetto's one sees are those of the "Business" series, which are stamped such with their collective shape (see photo of shapes below). Another stamp that sometimes follows the "Business" one is "KS," which from what I know means "King-size" (this could be wrong, as there are pipes stamped with KS1, KS2, and KS3).  
There is also another factor in stamping, that is, which series the pipe falls in.  The majority of Caminetto's one sees are those of the "Business" series, which are stamped such with their collective shape (see photo of shapes below). Another stamp that sometimes follows the "Business" one is "KS," which from what I know means "King-size" (this could be wrong, as there are pipes stamped with KS1, KS2, and KS3).  
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File:CaminettoArticle1b.jpg|Another example
File:CaminettoArticle1b.jpg|Another example
</gallery>
</gallery>
=== Conclusion ===
=== Conclusion ===


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