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PIPE POETRY
SUBLIME TOBACCO
Sublime tobacco! which, from east to west,
Cheers the tar's labor or the Turkman's rest,
Which on the Moslem's ottoman divides
His hours, and rivals opium and his brides;
Magnificent in Stamboul, but less grand,
Though not less loved, in Wapping on the Strand;
Divine in hookahs, glorious in a pipe,
When tipped with amber, mellow, rich, and ripe;
Like other charmers, wooing the caress
More dazzlingly when daring in full dress...
Yet thy true lovers more admire, by far,
Thy naked beauties--give me a cigar! Lord George Gordon Byrono
A PIPE OF TOBACCO
Little tube of mighty power,
Charmer of an idle hour,
Object of my warm desire,
Lip of wax, and eye of fire;
And thy snowy taper waist,
With my finger gently braced;
And thy pretty swelling crest,
With my little stopper pressed,
And the sweetest bliss of blisses,
Breathing from they balmy kisses.
Happy thrice and thrice again,
Happiest he of happy men.
Who when again the night returns,
When again the taper burns;
When again the cricket's gay
(Little cricket, full of play),
Can afford his tube to feed
With the fragrant Indian weed;
Pleasure for a nose divine,
Incense of the god of wine.
Happy thrice, and thrice again
Happiest he of happy men. -Isaac Hawkins Browne 1736
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Hi Everyone,
I'd like to start by thanking our Pipe Maker of the month, Michael Parks. Michael is one of my many International customers; he resides in Canada. I had the privilege of meeting Michael last week at the Chicago Show; he is such a wonderful person. Check out his beautiful pipes at http://www.ParksPipes.com. I would like to remind everyone our contest for the Rainer Barbi pipe is still running through the end of May. The winner will be chosen on June 1st. Visit our web site for details http://www.pipemakers.org .
Speaking of the Chicago Show, Andrea and I had the most incredible time. We spent a few days touring Chicago before heading out to St. Charles. It was my first time in the windy city. Now I understand where the nickname came from. We visited the pier on Lake Michigan, took a cruise on the River, walked and walked the Magnificent Mile and had a wonderful dinner at Gibsons. The beautiful tulips were blooming everywhere and what great artwork you see as you stroll the city streets. I enjoyed the sites, but it would take many more days to see all Chicago has to offer. Hopefully we will return next year. I want to thank Rainer Barbi for being our tour guide in Chicago. I think we wore him out, as you will see below.
 My first day touring the streets of Chicago.
 A view from the top of the Hancock Building overlooking Lake Michigan. Andrea and I at the famous Gibson's restaurant
Andrea and Matt celebrating their 6th wedding anniversary.
 The city streets were lined with colorful tulips. An example of the spectaular artwork that
Chicago has to offer.
 Our tour guide Rainer Barbi taking a break.
On Friday we headed out to St. Charles. We enjoyed the pre-show dinner on Friday and visiting with so many of our customers and pipe makers. I thought the show Saturday was so much fun (a little too chilly for an Arizona gal though). I got to see a lot of you I had met in Las Vegas back in October; and I also had the chance to meet many more of you for the first time. It was great to meet everyone and put faces to so many of you that I spend so much time emailing and talking with. I know many more of you were there, and I'm very sorry if I missed saying hello. I want to thank everyone who visited our table and shared some of your time with us. I hope all of you had great success with the show. Hopefully I can share some pictures on the web site soon. I look forward to going back next year and meeting everyone.
Andrea and I at our tables at the show.
In Chicago, we premiered our 2 newest colors of Lucite Rods.
They were very well received. The first one we've named Rocky Mountain Stone. I believe it will become one of my best sellers. Below is a picture of the rod. It is in stock and available now. We also ordered 8 of our most popular Lucite Stems in this new color. They are shown below and I listed the numbers.
Available in # 101, 104, 107, 491, 250, 252, 255, and 262 (not in order by picture)
The second new color is Red Tortoise. (These rods are on back order). However we did receive the stems but the picture doesn't do them justice. They are really nice and everyone liked the color. They are also available in the styles listed above.
Our "Novice" Pipe Making Contest is ready to go!
Pipe Makers Emporium (PME) is sponsoring a Novice Pipe Making Contest and here are the rules:
1- "Novice" is defined (by us) as a pipe maker who does not make a living on selling pipes. (No, we will not send the Novice Police to your shop ... we expect you to be honorable).
2- You must buy a "kit" from PME consisting of a block of wood and 2 vulcanite straight stems, both of our choosing. Cost = $20.00
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3- Your carved pipe will be a straight "Billiard" (see photo below).
For the sake of this contest, we will use the following description for a straight billiard:
"A straight shanked pipe with the height of the bowl approximately equal to the length of the shank, where the shank meets the bowl to the top of the bowl and is equal to the point where the shank meets the stem. The attached diagram shows X = Y. The centerline of the bowl (top to bottom) tilts slightly forward at a 3-5 degree angle with the top of the bowl at a right angle to the centerline. Remember, the top is not perpendicular to the shank because of the 3-5 degree cant. Also, the bowl should be slightly wider at the center of the bowl. The straight stem must taper evenly from the shank to lip of the stem's button and is slightly longer than the shank by about ½" - ¾".
We will not judge flaws but will judge accuracy of drills, finish, alignment of stem to shank (no daylight), mortise and tenon fit and proper length of tenon. It may be smooth, blasted or rusticated but must be unsmoked.
To enter your pipe, mail a picture of your pipe at some point in its early creation and also send a picture of your finished pipe. Photos must be postmarked (or email dated) before August 1, 2010 and sent to Paul@pipemakers.org or Pipe Makers Emporium, 21423 N 11th Ave, Phoenix, Arizona 85027.
Using your photos, we will choose the finalists and request these finalists to send their pipes to us for final judging. (All pipes will be returned.)
The winner will be awarded a $50.00 gift certificate at Pipe Makers Emporium. Second Prize will be a $25.00 gift certificate to Pipe Makers Emporium and Third Prize will be a $10.00 certificate to Pipe Makers Emporium. (The certificates will be good for 1 year)
Of course, we will have plenty of pictures in a future PME newsletter, highlighting the winner!
Happy carving!!
 Once again I will be hitting the road and I want to apologise in advance for my absence. Our stock of Algerian Briar is starting to run thin, as you can see from our web site. We are planning to replace it with Italian Briar. I will be traveling to Italy to join Rainer Barbi and Elbert Gubbles; owner of Big Ben Pipes, on May 24th. We will visit all the cutters in Italy. We hope to find the highest quality and the best pricing, so we can pass the savings on to you, our customers. I will return on June 9th. In my absence Julie and Andrea will see to the orders and emails that come in. I look forward to sharing my adventure with everyone, when I return.
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SPRING INTO SAVINGS
Starts May 10th thru May 31st
Finishing Products
Beall Buffing Systems
Only $59.95 reg. price $69.95( Save $10.00 )
Replacement Wheels
Only $12.95 ea. reg. Price $15.95
( Save $3.00 )
Algerian Briar
Tassili Mini's
$20.00 each or 6 for $100.00
( Reg. price $23.00 each )
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Updates: 1. Unfortunately, our #2013 Church Wardens are still on back order. I will notify you as soon as they come in. 2. The drawing for the Rainer Barbi pipe will be held on June 1st. Julie will notify the winner and they will appear on the web site. Sorry, I will miss this drawing. I wish all of you a lot of luck. The pipe will be shipped to the winner on June 10th upon my return.
Take care until next time,
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Your "Smokin" Good News
