NASPC 2010 Pipe Show this weekend!

I’m happy to say I’ll finally be attending my first pipe show this weekend in Columbus, OH. I’ll be driving out bright n early tomorrow and meeting up with a big group of club members. I’ve been instructed of the following game plan:

1. buy one tin of each show tobacco, they go fast
2. buy a tshirt, or a few, they go fast
3. buy at least $20 in raffle tickets
4. enjoy the show

I have some ideas on what I’ll be looking for, but am not completely set on any particular goals. I’d like to finally get a castello, preferably sea rock and smaller in size. Another possibility is a patent era shell dunhill, and yet another thought is grabbing several old “high grade” Eldorado or Viscount Dr. Grabow’s. Yeah, I said Dr. Grabow :) I have an old one and it’s seriously one of my favorite pipes.

Just gotta make it through Friday first…

Spring is here!

Wow has this weather been awesome!!  I have been outside smoking my pipes on a daily basis.  On Friday the 2nd I smoked 4 different pipes out on my back patio.  After a long and stressful winter (family health issues), I am just so enjoying this Spring!

PPC meetup this saturday 4/10

Our monthly gathering at Allegheny Smokeworks in Blawnox, PA will be on Saturday, April 10th from 10AM until noonish.  Come on out and sample some tobacco, drink some coffee, and enjoy the fellowship of other pipe smokers.  Hope to see you there!

Happy international pipe smoking day!

Yep, today’s the day. Be sure to to enjoy at least one bowl, if not more, of your favorite tobacco(s) today. I personally may be stopping by Leaf & Bean to celebrate this momentous occasion.

Proposed 775% Pipe Tobacco Tax Increase!

Well, we can’t say we didn’t see it coming. The greedy US government wants to bring pipe tobacco into the already insane taxation of cigarettes, cigars, and roll your own tobacco, in order to waste more taxpayer money on bailouts, wars, and general idiocy. Two Democrats from Texas and Tennessee  have introduced Bill H.R. 4439 to raise the federal pipe tobacco tax from $2.8311 to $24.78 per pound. Here’s how that works out for us:

$2.43 increase per 50gr
$2.74 increase per 2oz
$4.86 increase per 100gr
$10.98 increase per 8oz
$21.95 increase per 16oz
$24.15 increase per 500gr

We have to do something to fight this, in this so-called democracy we live in where we are being increasingly controlled every day. Please visit Pipes Magazine in order to send an automated email or letter to your congressman and senator. Additionally, here is an online petition.

Dogs smoking pipes

I couldn’t resist…

PPC and Thomas James Pipes

Check out the updated Thomas James Pipes website. Not only is there a photo of John and Homer on the front page, but there’s also some gorgeous new pipes available. I’m continually amazed by Tom’s fantastic work. Perhaps a PPC commissioned club pipe is in order? Hmm?

John’s latest Hawkbill

Castello GG-84 Trademark Hawkbill (donkeynut)

This Photograph shows the latest addition to my collection of hawkbills.  It is a Castello GG-84 hawkbill AKA ‘donkeynut’ shape pipe.  It comes all the way to Pittsburgh from Eufaula, Alabama and the collection of Mike H. Davis, the noted collector of the donkeynut shape.

Vintage Pipe Ads

I found a pretty cool vintage advertisement search engine (via Seth Godin).  A search for pipes has some amazing results.  Some of my favorites so far: Half and Half, Radiator Pipe, Honey Pipe??.  I’m guessing you either are not allowed to or its no longer profitable to advertise pipes, so this is a glimpse at Pipe heyday.

First meetup of the new year!

I just wanted to get out a “happy new years” to everyone, and believe it or not it’s already time to meet up again! The holidays sped by quickly, and sadly I’m assuming we’re all back to work at this point. I can’t think of a better cure for the winter work blues than a cozy smoke filled Saturday morning with tasty pastries at Allegheny Smokeworks.

We’ll be meeting this Saturday from 10-12 in Blawnox, so c’mon down!