Re: ed: pipe writing
- From: Bob Landry <saabguy85@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 09:29:13 -0600
On Thu, 9 Apr 2009 16:18:52 -0700 (PDT), engelw@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Hello Pipemen,
I have been reflecting on the problems and vexations of pipe & tobacco
writing in general. I notice that pipe men consume almost any & all
pipe related writing. Like any aficionados of a hobby or pastime, they
are eager to read whatever promotes, encourages and informs on their
particular interest. Yet, writing about pipes in general is difficult.
It is not like fly-fishing, that I consider being one of the most
elegant and refined of gentlemanly a pastime, that demands a large
assortment of equipment, great skill and you can only do it at certain
locations and specific times of the year. Pipe smoking can be done
anywhere, requires little equipment, and certainly no specific times
or locations, the skill is easily mastered, and above all it is really
a sedentary pastime. So, what can one write about?
Much pipe writing is overly florid and lacks verve. The
understandable reasons for such are; One, most pipe writers are not
professional scribes. Two in such a beleaguered hobby as ours beset by
the dark forces everywhere, who will write that x brand of pipe is
basically rubbish, or that x pipe show is deadly not worthwhile bore,
as we all want to encourage, promote and advance the hobby. So, the
pipe community takes any criticisms very badly, indeed. Yet, without a
critical viewpoint the writing often becomes less than mundane. How
many articles about pipe makers are virtually indistinguishable from
one another. Just change the name and location.
Pipe writing, or more properly, writing about pipes and related
matters is worthwhile. To me the essence of the pipe smoking hobby is
threefold. The pleasure of having a collection of handmade articles,
the camaraderie of pipe shows, and the smoking experience itself. At
some point in time the pipe, tobacco, palate, mood all combine to
create an almost mystical union together and transport the pipe man
into an nearly ethereal realm leading often to reflection and
contemplation. Yet, to write about such an epicurean experience is
almost impossible. It is not like writing about wine as nobody else
can have the same combination of pipe, tobacco, mood, palate and
relative humidity. The best that can be done is reviewing tobaccos to
assist fellow pipe men to try something new.
But the pipe smoking experience is not without many areas worth
writing about. Unfortunately exemplary writing on tobacciana is rare,
but thanks to ardent pipeman Linwood Hines, the below copyright
article I recommend to everybody to read as more than worthwhile. A
superb example of how well writing about pipes, smokers, etc. can be,
a level all of us pipe scribes, myself included, should aspire to.
http://www.granta.com/Magazine/Genres/Essays
Pipe News ? Steve Anderson of Pipe & Pleasures in Columbus Ohio died
last week. Lifelong retailer & devotee of the hobby for 45 years he
requested in his obituary that In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions may be made to North American Society of Pipe
Collectors, P.O. Box 9642, Columbus, Oh. 43209.
Best Maxim
www.pipes2smoke.com
Thanks for the link, Max, that's a great piece of writing about our hobby.
Bob
Just your basic flake, and official Old Fart!
"The missing link between animals and the real human being is
most likely ourselves."
Konrad Lorenz
.
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- From: engelw
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