My friend and ultimate pipeman, Gary Schrier of Briar Books Press has always encouraged me to read the hobby of pipes and tobaccos. Indeed, he has made doing so much easier by regularly publishing great books on the subject.

His advice to me has been good and I have greatly enjoyed my reading of the pipe, both in his books and others. Today though was a special treat.

Last week I acquired the latest from Gary, Catalog No. XX, Adolph Frankau & Co. Ltd. A reprint of the massive BBB catalog from 1912.

I happen to own an extremely beautiful BBB pipe, the silver hallmarks of which indicate that it was manufactured in 1912. It did not take me long to find this pipe on page 194 of the catalog.

The pipe itself is a BBB Own Make, the highest grade. It's bent, rather red in color, and sports some quite lovely straight grain. The amber stem is mounted in silver with full hallmarks. The condition of the pipe is amazing given its age. There are some slight toothmarks on the bit, a very small ding or two on the rim, and just a bit of tar buildup there. Other than those minor blemishes, it is quite close to perfect, and was obviously used little in almost 100 years.

Today I learned that it is a "Carlton Briar" with a patented silver mount, "The Simplest And Most Secure Joint Ever Invented" a fact that I can attest too given that it is still perfectly secure after all of this time. It is a shape BB, and from further reading of the catalog, one of the most expensive pipes produced in its day.

Unfortunately, I also learned that the pipe was produced with a case, an item apparently lost to the ravages of time. Alas, as with life, all can not be perfect.

I have smoked the pipe in the past and will do so in the future, for at a basic level that is why I possess pipes. Before my reading though, I simply knew that I possessed a very old high-grade BBB pipe in remarkable condition. Now I know that I possess a pipe that is not only special because of its age, but that was a very special pipe in its own time, a pipe that cost more individually in 1912 than some other BBB pipes could be had for by the dozen.

Just one of the benefits of reading the hobby. Thanks Gary!