Pipe Collecting

Introduction

The historic use of pipes to smoke goes back to about 500 B.C. The American Indians introduced pipe smoking to the European settlers and exporers around the 16th century, and it's use spread quickly.

Pipes have been created from all sorts of material, but the most common types were carved from briar wood. Since pipe smoking was initially introduced to the Europeans, pipes have been made of oak, mesquite, cherrywood, corncobs, and clay. Pipes made from glass are not well suited for smoking tobacco but some people do use them. A pipe consists of two parts; the bowl equipped for burning the tobacco and a hollow stem that allows the smoke to be pulled into the mouth.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Divine in hookas, glorious in a pipe When tipp'd with amber, mellow, rich, and ripe;... Yet thy true lovers more admire by far Thy naked beauties - give me a cigar! ~George Gordon, Lord Byron, The Island



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Why Collect Pipes?

There is a nearly endless combo of designs and materials that are used to make a pipe. Many of these tobacco pipes have been exquisitely designed and etched with beautiful busts of heads of people like Thurgood Marshall and Bill Clinton, shapes of animals and other creatures like the Black Rhinoceros and the Northern Bottlenose Whale. You might even find one with the mythical Abatwa or the Rokurokubi or the Lakanica.

Many collectors are interested in the intricate design, or a particular shape, or the unusual length and bend of the various pipes. That makes a sufficient reason to start a collection of them. The age of the pipe as well as the complexity of the design, the material that the pipe is made from, and the quality are what collectors look for. Some pipes in people's private collections are worth a lot of money.

The Varieties of Pipes

The variety of the different types of pipes are incredible. They are made in numerous shapes, sizes, and designs. Pipes may be made from one type of wood and combined to another type of material. An example would be a bowl made from white heath and a metal stem, or corncob or meerschaum connected with a reed stem.

Conclusions

No matter what types of pipes you are thinking about collecting, whether you are collecting pipes from certain regions, or certain styles, maybe you do not even have a theme for your pipe collection. Maybe you are just collecting unusual pipes of any type, your collection will not disappoint you. Pipes are something to be proud of, and in the long run will be a valuable investment, if that is what you choose to do.Solar Power For Homeschapel hill real estate