From: Robert Munn <????????????????????>
Subject: Pipes Digest posting

(Hope I've sent this to correct address, please correct me if wrong).

I've been receiving the Digest since November and thought it was time to
introduce myself to the other members.  I've begun downloading and
reading the previous 200 issues of the Digest -- amazing how much
information has been exchanged over the last 8 years!  Hats off to you
Steve, for bringing all of us together.

I've smoked a pipe since 1970, when one of the professors I had at the
University of Washington allowed (and encouraged) smoking during his
classes.  (Ah yes, the golden age of smoking, when everyone didn't go
around with a chip on their shoulder and fly into a rage at the scent of
smoke -- it would seem that tolerance has died along with common sense
and courtesy).  My father had smoked a pipe off and on -- mostly old
Medico filter pipes and Half & Half.  I too started out with a Medico,
then graduated (?) to a Dr. Grabow.  My best friend's father smoked
Field and Stream, and I tried that for a while.  I then went through a
phase where I tried virtually every kind of drug store tobacco out
there, from Borkum Riff to Rum and Maple.  After a few months of this, I
found a local store called Pipelane (still have stores in Bellevue,
Northgate, Edmonds and Everett) and switched over to one of their house
blends.

One of my favorite pipes from the early 70s was a Hilson Fantette.  I'm
sure that some would find fault with its 70's look now, but I remember
it was a very good smoking pipe.  I understand that Hilson quit making
them some time ago, but if anyone knows where I can find them today, I'd
really be interested in picking up a Fantette or Fantasia.

In the late 70s I started jogging, and put up the pipe for a couple of
years.  Now some fifteen years later (and two wiped out knees later)
I've found renewed enjoyment in my pipes, and have started adding to my
collection again.  I have a Dunhill and a Peterson, but I have to say
that some of my favorite smokes are some "no-names" and "estate" pipes I
picked up at antique stores and flea markets.

I've lived all my life in the Seattle area (currently in Redmond, home
of everybody's favorite billionaire, Bill Gates) and wish that we had
some of the club and pipe show activity I read about in other areas. Of
course, Seattle and Washington state is one of the more pipe unfriendly
areas, and the government here seems to consider smokers on a par with
child molesters.  

I'd really enjoy hearing from anyone out there who can help me find a
Hilson (or two!).  Thanks again for providing such a great (and civil)
forum for pipe smokers.

[ Have you contacted the Seattle Smokers?  ??????????????????? will
get 'em. -S. ]


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