From: Steve Masticola (???????????????????????)
Subject: Clays and churchwardens, Italian pipes

Greetings, gang! This 30th issue marks yet another "decade" in the
history of the pipes mailgroup, and I'm glad to see that we're still
generating some good discussions - and new members. Welcome to
Christopher M. Polk (????????????????????????), who describes himself
as an "avid pipe smoker". Glad to have you aboard, Christopher!

And now, accompanied by a GBD bulldog and some John David's "African
Blend", I'll try to answer Norm's question about Italian pipemakers.
Of course, Savinelli, located im Milan, is probably the largest
Italian supplier to the U.S. market. Running through the pipe library,
here are some others of note. Where possible, I've put in locations or
contact addresses.

Arminelli:	Cucciago
Ascorti:
Baldo Baldi:	Contact GEMPI, PO Box 12521, Charleston, SC 29412
Becker:		Via della Panetteria 49 Rome
Bonfiglioli:	Via Piella 8/A, 40126 Bologna
Caminetto:	
Capitello:	Call Marble Arch, Ltd., 516-561-8555
Castello:	Cantu
Cesare:
Il Ceppo:	Call 800-523-1641
Sir Jacopo:
Lorenzo:
Paronelli:	Via del Chiostro, 5 - 20126 Gavvirate
Radice:		Brianza province (near Milan and Torino) - Marble Arch, Ltd.
Savinelli:	Milan
Talamona:	Call 800-292-CLUB

Caminetto, Ascorti, and Radice have some history in common ("Pipe
Smoker", July 1987 - let me know if you want a copy of the article.)
There's also a briar sawmill you might want to visit in Sassetta (Jan
'87). 

You might also want to visit Claudio Rebecchi's "Tobacco Museum" (P.O.
Box 5, 41100 Modena 10, Italy) - good photos in the July 1989 "Pipe
Smoker".

And furthermore, Italy has several active pipe clubs you might write
to:

Amici Della Pipa, Casella Postale 01734, Roma Eur
Dirieffe Pipe Club, Davide Piva, Via. G. di Vittorio, 7/b, 30170 
	Mestre, Venezia
Extra-Extra, Corso Vittorio Emanuele 37/B, 20122 Milano
Fortunato, Casella Postale 10374 Roma
La Pipa (contact J.M. Alberto Paronelli, above)
Museo Italiano Della Pipa, Via Della Chiostro 5, 21026 Gavirate (Varese)
Smoking, Via della Colonna Antonina, 35, 00186 Roma

(Gee, Italy seems to be _overrun_ with pipe makers! I guess it's a
cottage industry there, even though most of them distribute through
sole sources [which is why there are so many "Contact so-and-so's" in
the addresses]. Further information or corrections are welcome. Good
hunting, Norm!)

			     --==ooo==--

And now, a few questions of my own:

- Where the heck can I find a quality churchwarden these days? No one
seems to be making them anymore! Does anyone out there smoke one? They
look like fun, even if you do have to use extra-extra-long cleaners!

- Does anyone own a clay pipe? I just got a catalog from Lepeltier
(Box 61, East Fairfield, VT 05448) - they make a line of double-walled
clays that have about the same shape as briar pipes, and which they
purport to smoke cooler. At $15, it's a fairly cheap experiment, but
your comments would be appreciated!

Now, I really should finish the GBD and get cracking for my Ph.D exam.
Hope to hear from y'all (Southern - NJ equivalent, "yous" :-) soon! In
the meantime, keep the home briars burning.

	Smoke in peace,
	~\U Steve.


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