Dr. Grabow Pipes

LokoMac8

Just scanned the Dr. Grabow entry in the RTDA's 1970 Almanac. In 1969 they listed the MSR Prices, however, beginning apparently in 1970, they quite doing that, listing just the names. Makes it harder to date pipes and displays where the prices are shown, but as these times were somewhat inflationary, I guess they wanted to leave themselves some flexibility in pricing. Here's the 1970 lineup:

Also from that same Almanac, is the ONLY Dr. Grabow "ad" -- a very simple affair when compared to the ads of other pipe companies:

As I get other RTDA Almanacs (they're scarce as hen's teeth and pricey when I find them) I'll pass alomg what I find as well. If any other folks have these Almanacs, perhaps they would be good enough to share the info from them as well. Surely SOMEONE has a nice collection of these? I think 1936 or 37 was when the RTDA Almanacs started, so nearly the whole "history" of Dr. Grabow pipes could be followed throught these entries and ads. --RJ--

ozark southpaw · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:49 am Post subject:

Interesting Mac! What do I have to do to get one of Dr.Grabow displays at no charge?
_________________
The only thing shorter than my memory is a certain part of my anatomy!

LokoMac8 · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:14 pm Post subject:

LokoMac8

I finally secured another issue of the RTDA Almanac and scanned some of the pertinent Dr. Grabow info from it. This Almanac is much BIGGER than earlier issues I have and seems to be the result of more cigar stuff and more full-page ads. The info is disappointing compared to earlier issuesw, as there seemed to be no room for all the tobacco facts and figures and true "Almanac" facts that they used to have in it.

With Dr. Grabow pipes now being under the umbrella of LANE, there no longer is a separate entry for Dr. Grabows, and none of the usual Dr. Grabow "ads" they would be in the publication.

We don't learn much about the Dr. Grabow pipes or the prices they sold for, but we do have a list of line names and even an indication of what was non-filter at that time.

We also might have a glimpse, through the heading LANE PROMOTIONAL PIPES, of where all those "anomolies" we find came from. No telling what was produced, cobbled together and sold under this banner!

The above scan showing the listing of Dr. Grabow shows several retailer's, OTHER THAN LANE, also handling Dr. Grabow pipes. About all you find under those other outlets listing is the name "DR. Grabow Pipes" as one of the products they handle.

So there you have it. These RTDA Almanacs are found few and far between and a bit pricey when they are found, but every once in awhile I latch on to one. They ARE INTERESTING, but really all I am after is the Dr. Grabow info in them and as I get that, you'll see it posted on the DGCF! --RJ--

ted · "Old Timer" Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 1171 Location: NC'

RJ, A couple of things come to mind. There were 2 national associations for the tobacco industry. One, the RTDA (Retail Tobacco Distributore Assn.) was geared more toward the retail end of the business. Grabow was a member and participated in the advertising but very seldom participated in the trade shows.

The NATD (National Association of Tobacco (and Candy later) Distributors was where Grabow placed their emphasis. We always advertised in the US Tobacco Journal which was the monthly magazine of the NATD and always participated in the NATD trade show. Grabow sponsored the "Tobacco Industry Hall of Fame" at the annual NATD trade show, always gave away 2 poodles, and was a big part of the association. From about 1963 till the late 70's the NATD show alternated years between Las Vegas and Miami Beach.

Maybe it's time to post the LEGACY website again? I think NATD....US Tobacco Journal (although that gets confused with UST)....Hall of Fame might be search options. When you find a NATD almanac on LEGACY it's usually 150 pages on ACROBAT and is just so cumberson it's hard to keep focus.

For what it's worth....ted

ozark southpaw

LokoMac8

LokoMac8 · Posted: Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:24 pm Post subject:

ted · "Old Timer" Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 1171 Location: NC'

RJ, I'll do some looking on Legacy. If I find a page I'll just post the year and the link....ted

LokoMac8 · Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 1:48 am Post subject: