From: ????????????????????????
Subject: 1950 CIRCA FAQ

Steve, the following is from a booklet entitled "The American Smoker,"
October 1950, with a photo of actor Charles Coburn lighting a cigar.
The booklet's contents are especially interesting, given the almost
50 years that have passed since it was written. There's a lengthy
article on Green colored wrappers vs brown - Green stated to be harsh -
many photos of ancient pipes in an article on pipe collecting, an article
on a Sioux Indian "peace pipe" carver with photos of his work, and some
ancient "FAQs" that I have copied herein. There is a lengthy article by a 
Chinese gentleman, Lin Yu Tang of Peiping, China, on "A Smoking Philosophy."
When I have time I will transcribe that probably 10 or so page article 
for the newsgroup. I have finally been able to get net access to FTP via
this BBS. Could you give me an address I can FTP such things to that can
be accessed by those interested, since my E-mail buffer capacity is limited
to rather short messages, 1000 characters or bytes, I think.

"STEEL WOOL FILTER: By taking a small amount of steel wool,
rolling it up into a ball (not too tightly), and placing it at the
bottom of the bowl, you will be creating quite simply one of the most
effective filters I've ever encountered. Do not use too large a ball
of steel wool, since I've found that a large one is no more effective
than the pea-sized one I use. And for best results put in a new ball
with each smoke.R.J. Evans, Van Wert, Ohio."

"COOLING BURNING PIPE: Here's a little trick I learned 14 years
ago from a real old-timer which gives you a cooler smoke. Following
every fifth puff on your pipe, blow out one or two puffs. You'll find
your next few puffs somewhat cooler and more enjoyable.
Robert Ormand, Santa Fe New Mexico."

"REMOVING BROKEN STEMS: Should a stem break while in the shank
of a pipe, insert an ordinary wood screw. With pliars, (sic) execute a slow
twist to the right while simultaneously pulling straight back. A 
straight pull is best to avoid cracking the shank. Should this fail
and it appear that the stem is too tightly wedged, place the whole unit
in the refrigerator freezer for a few hours. Enough contraction
occasioned by cold, will suffice in nearly all cases to make removal
of the broken stem possible.   Miles Minton, Los Angeles, Calif."

"NEW BREAKING IN METHOD: Mix a paste of one teaspoon of 
powdered charcoal with three-quarters of a teaspoon of any type syrup.
Spread a thin coating in your new briar bowl, allow to dry, and then
light up. You'll find that it'll smoke like a well broken-in pipe. The
paste almost immediately provides a protective carbon caking."
Ronald Meyer, University City, St. Louis, Mo."

"PORTABLE PIPE RACK: By inserting a pipe cleaner into the bit
of a pipe and hooking the bent other end over a horizontal rod, wire,
or string, you have a neat portable pipe rack. the pipe hangs bowl down
very nicely.L.J. Christenson, Minneapolis."

"HOMEMADE PIPE SWEETENER: For the best homemade pipe sweetener
I've ever come across, mix and apply this solution to your pipe. 1 oz.
Karo white syrup, 1 oz. hot (not boiling) water, 1/4 oz. Burnett's
Black Walnut or Rum extract. Swab bowl and shank and run a saturated
cleaner through the pipe.   J. Heller, New Kensington, Pa."

"KEY RING PIPE CLEANER: Always forgetting your cleaner? Well,
you can carry one around with you at all times on your key ring by 
twisting a 5-inch piece of iron wire and hooking it onto your key ring.
These wires do an all-around job and are easily replaceable when they 
become too dirty, bent or worn.Thad Ryan, Evanston, Ill."

(Reprinted from the October 1950 issue of The American Smoker
formerly Pipe Lovers Magazine, Great Neck, N.Y.)

Submitted by ????????????????????????
11/18/94

[ Thanks for the FAQ, Ray! One of these days, I'll cop some back
issues of Pipe Lovers; if any ever come up for sale. :-) -S. ]


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