Did the Sparta factory ever make 'private label' pipes?

Terry292 · Did the Sparta factory ever make 'private label' pipes?

Here's one for the experts: Did the Sparta factory ever make pipes for local tobacconists? The reason I ask: Today I was killing some time in a local antique store and came across a pipe that had been made for a local tobacco store, "The Pipe Stem." sometime probably in the late 1970's or early-80's. The Pipe Stem went out of business in the late eighties when the owners retired. This pipe was a canadian with a red finish and had been fitted with a an aluminum tenon to take a DG-style filter. As a matter of fact, there was a well used filter still in it. It just vaguely reminded me of a DG , so I thought I'd ask.

Terry

ted

Terry..I was hopeing someone would ask JUST that question. Now we can move through the TRUE Dr. Grabow. First the answer..No ,Grabow never (almost) made any pipes for private label. You'll very seldom find a "Dr. Grabow" XXXXX as a private label. BUT....

Mastercraft was owned by the same company (UST) and Grabow made several "PL" pipes for M/C.

Anything stamped Seville and not "Italy" were made by Grabow.

But the finest stuff EVER made by Grabow(or anyone else) were private label pipes made for Mastercraft. 0100, 0200, 0300, 0400, 0400R. Grabow used their
A and E (see R.J.'s Grabow site) bowls for these pipes. They were made exclusively for pipe shopps, exclusively for M/C. 0100 were almost natural, 0200 were more red (TM..Your #83 is finished as 0200), 0300 were RED (Eldorado red), 0400 were Golden Duke brown, and 0400R was GD rustic.

These were the MOST SPECTACULAR PIPES EVER MADE BY GRABOW during my time (through 91'), but unless you recognize shapes, you would never know that they were Grabow. Such a waste. Wish I'd stamped them "ted". Stupid!!!!!!!!

TERRY...Thanks for the question. I used to sell em' also, but don't remember "The Pipe Stem" as a customer. Bet they found em' somewhere....-ted-

Terry292

Thanks a lot for the info, Ted. Next time I'm in that store, I'll have to look more closely at that pipe. I hope you're writing all this down somewhere so future generations will have the benefit of your experience. I'm afraid, given the current climate, our great-grandchildren won't even know what a smoking pipe was, much less about 'evil' tobacco. History is one of my great interests, and history is only the story of people, after all.
Terry

ted

Terry...There has been talk of a book. I wasn't all that in favor of it early on, but I'm beginning to see it as you do. Someone has to "set this down for future generations".

I have shared my rememberance of all the Managers, Foremen, assistants, and office staff with Dr. B. I'm working on a list of all the employees. What a wonderful chore. How much do we remember from 40 years ago? I was good, but the employees were GREAT.......

Let me know what you find in the shop. If they are Grabow, they have to be from the late 80's at best. WHAT A FIND.....-ted-

Terry292

If you ever decide to write that book, my wife is a professional writer. I'm hereby volunteering her services to help with the editing.
Terry

ted

Terry...Last time I volunteered my wife for something, she wouldn't serve. Maybe Vietnam was different....anyway, I tried. THANKS.....-ted-

ozark southpaw

Ted,question for you. Were those M/C PL pipes marked with those numbers-)0100-0200 etc. or is that a factory finish code?

ted

OS...That was both the factory code and the sales code. Orders were written as "4dz. 0200 @ $54.00/dz" for example. They are "fancy and large" Grabow shapes plus a few shapes copied from Seville. 0100 is slightly redder than the old Emperor, 0200 is about the color of Viscount, 0300 is the red Eldorado, 0400 and 0400 rustic are Golden Duke color.

All were vulcanite push bit. All were full grain and many were straight grain. Nothing was stamped on them except for the P/L the customer wanted.

Grabow probably made, and Mastercraft sold 500+ gross. Most were 0100 and 0200. -ted-

ozark southpaw

Well shucks! That would make it hard to look for them!

Sir Duke

ted

SD...Sorry...By saying I used to sell them, I meant mostly repeat orders taken over the phone and at the RTDA (Retail Tobacco Distributors Assn.) shows. I traveled some with the salesmen, but not often.

I made several pipes "on my own". Many were for my own use, some as gifts for customers, most just went into one of the many M/C assortments. Gracen Lucas was the most talented person I've met and he also made several pipes. Most of his were as gifts.

No-one made pipes "outside" the factory for their own sales. A few employees would "modify" existing pipes to suit their taste.

Sir Duke

Thanks ted. Clears that up. I guess its like being an accountant. At the end of the day the LAST thing I want to do is balance my check book!

ted

As my memory returns, I do now recall that the 0100 and 0200 were so successful that a few gross were made as 0100F and 0200F. These were tampon filtered with the same finish. They may have even been "convertable"...Usable either with filter or without (using an extension in the tenon). If not for a few complications this wouldn't be any fun...

I'm tired and I want to go to bed....Had a little drink about an hour ago, and it went straight to my head....(old song).....-ted-

Mike Leverette

Sir Duke

Was that the Doors?

(ps the converables were tres smart)
Must be hard to idntify the ones that started out a lighter color as I imagined they have darkened over age.

Is this correct with the Straight Grain 83 ted?

COMING SOON... WHO'S THE OLDEST ON IN THE FORUM CONTEST. BIRTH CERTFICATES REQUIRED. EXEMPTION ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS IF YOU WERE BORN PRIOR TO 1835.

ted

SD...Yes, the #83 that you have started life in the 0200 color. It has darkened a little over its life. Not a great deal though. It's about 25 years old, but hasen't been smoked much.

If you are doing the oldest, then you must do the youngest.

Sir Duke

ted

OK....I have a gift for the first that can tell me and Mike who recorded this...".I'm tired and want to go to bed.....Had a little drink about an hour ago, and it went straight to my head". Brett Summers on "Match Game 74'" doesn't count. The pipe is 45 years old.....The song is almost as old......First in.....WINS.......GITTER DONE........-TED-

Terry292

ted

TERRY...You the man......Send me an address in PM, and the pipe will be on the way...Could probably deliver it cheaper......-ted-

Terry292

PM sent. That was the year I turned 25. From what I can recall, it was a pretty good year.
Terry

ted

Terry... PM received... It was a d@mn good year for me also . Pipe is on the way tomorrow..That'll that make 601 for you? This'll be a good one. I'll never ask a music question as a "give away" again unless it's about Grace Slick and White Rabbit.. I'm still impressed.......really hope you enjoy the pipe. it is over 45 years old.....ted

Sir Duke

Surrealistic Pillow was one of my all-time favorite Albums...

Terry292

Ted, the pipe came today. Must say, I'm impressed. I've been sitting here most of the afternoon admiring it and just contemplating when to smoke it. Since today is my birthday, it couldn't have got here at a better time. I'll probably smoke it before the evening is over. As I've mentioned in another post, I could never have achieved that carving in a million years. Reminds me a little of a couple of Lorenzos I have from the seventies.

ted

Terry...Glad you like it. As I said, the carving was done with a nail. The head was cut off, the point bent at 90 degrees, chucked into an electric motor, and the pipe was HELD ON TO. It was made in Italy in 1964.

Enjoy it in good health. Happy Birthday....ted

Sir Duke

Can you send a pic????