2009 TAPS (Raleigh) Pipe Show

steverino · 2009 TAPS (Raleigh) Pipe Show

Well, another Triangle Area Pipe Smokers Pipe Expo has come and gone and I thought I'd give a little report, for what it's worth. This year saw the show at a different venue than in years past. Instead of being spread out in an exhibition hall, the show was compressed into the smallish conference room facilities of a hotel. The total area was probably less than 2000 square feet, quite a bit less than the several thousand of the previous facility. This contributed to some very clogged isles a few times but overall it wasn't bad. Another major change this year was no smoking in the show facility. An outdoor area was located near the conference room and this was adequate for a smoke, but the atmosphere (both literally and figuratively) was certainly different.

It seemed like there were a few less vendors this year but the vendors who were there were great. Some of the vendors represented were Cornell and Diehl, McCranie's, Monjure International, Lawdog's Pipes, The James Island Piper and P&T Magazine.

There was a bountiful supply of estate pipes along with a great many new ones. Tins of tobacco were readily available with several tables offering vintage tins of several varieties. Tobacco prices in general seemed a bit higher, possibly owing to the recent tax increase, but the difference didn't appear to slow down sales. Pipe prices were variable as always. Estates were seen from $5 to $200 with one observed at $3,500. There were quite a few new pipes in the $200 to $500 range with some below and above.

I had planned this year to forego all pipe purchases in favor of stocking up on tobacco; however, this was not to be. In fact, just the opposite transpired - four pipes and no tobacco. A number of other pipes seemed to call out for my cash, but alas, restraint was the order of the day. I was quite pleased with the deals I got on the pipes I bought, which were:

Irish Seconds version of the Sherlock Holmes Watson, unsmoked
Peterson Killarney 05, smoked, but very little
Savinelli Baronet 803 EX lovat, smoked, slight cake
Dr. Grabow Regal author, lightly smoked

In addition, I picked up a couple of pipe stands, a 12-place and, believe it or not, an 11-place, both quite a bit cheaper than I've seen on ebay.

I was hoping to pick up several tins of various Sam Gawith tobaccos but there was practically none at the show. To help this problem, I stopped at the Pipe and Pint in Greensboro on the way back, where I picked up a tin of Black XX and a 250 gram box of FVF. I had not seen one of these containers before so decided to try it.

As I hinted at previously, the overall experience wasn't quite as good as last year's show, but a satisfactory experience nonetheless.

Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures this year. Because of the close quarters in the conference room, there were too many people in the way most of the time and I didn't want to do a lot of flashing in people's faces. To sum up, a good time was had by all. Maybe some other DGCFers could make it next year?

Here's a picture of the pipes I picked up. Top left is the Irish Seconds. Top right is the Killarney. Under the Killarney is the Regal author. Bottom left is the Baronet 803. The bulldog is an ebay buy I included for its significance as a Grabow. It supposedly came from a former Grabow employee. It has no nomenclature on it whatsoever, so I imagine it did in fact walk out with an employee before it got to the stamping ladies.

ozark southpaw

Nice report and some very nice pipes Steve!! Wish there were some pipe shows in my area!! I'm begining to think that I am the pipe smoker in South East Missouri!. You really should trade me that little bulldog,got a genuine 'Trash Heap" bent bulldog or a Falcon bowl or a Lark or some #79 that I would be willing to part with!!! That Irish Seconds looks like a big honker!!

ted

Steve, Thanks for the report. I'll try and go next year if you'll keep me posted on when and where.

Really nice pipes. Congrats....ted

Terry292

Thanks, Steve. Somehow, I was under the impression the TAPS Show was the weekend after Easter, but, I see I was wrong. Maybe I can get there next year. That would also be a good time to visit Fayetteville again. Haven't been there since 1976. I'll bet Ft Bragg has changed a lot.
Terry

drbridges

Thank you for that report, Steve. Am I right to assume DG & IPA did not have a booth or corporate presence at the show?

Was that a missed opportunity in your opinion?

steverino

DRB - I saw no evidence of any DG presence at all. I think it would have been good in terms of letting people know that DG is still around and going strong, but my impression of pipe shows is that most people see them as a good opportunity to pick up a more expensive pipe at somewhat of a discount, so I don't know that they would have sold much. No telling, really. I'd like to see them show up next year.