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→Pipe Moretti: The Pipe and the Pipe Maker -- Both Italian Gems, by Joseph Hornsby
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''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.'' | ''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. | 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. | ||
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"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. | "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. | [[Image:Moretti Pipe01.jpg||thumb|300px|Courtesy Marco Moretti]]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. | 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. | 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. | ||
[[Image:Moretti Pipe02.jpg|left|thumb|300px]] | [[Image:Moretti Pipe02.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Courtesy Marco Moretti]] | ||
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. | 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. | ||