| Archive for Dr. Grabow Pipes "America's One and Only" |
| Dave |
Got another off ebayI picked these up on ebay from the discription the Grabow has a screw in stem and is dicolored thet leaves me to believe it might be vulcaniteThought I would post the pic here and see what the ones that know more than I do think http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI....4437&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT |
||||||
| Flycruiser |
Nice! Heck, for a buck 29 you can't beat it. | ||||||
| ted |
Dave...The price was right. The Starfire #65 should be a great pipe for you. I feel certain that it is vulcanite. Soft Scrub and several other methods will get the oxidation off.
The pot...orange dot? No markings?.....Must have been intended to be a Willard. If so it will have an "old timey" plastic bit. The Willard may be a "throw away", but the Starfire is well worth the price....ted |
||||||
| Rev. Avery |
I saw those too. I'm glad you got them! 
|
||||||
| ozark southpaw |
Great catch Dave! Can't beat that with a stick!! | ||||||
| Dave |
I went for the Grabow didnt pay much attention to the other one lol
I figured vucanite stem might have some age on it |
||||||
| BWThomas |
Good for you Dave. I had placed first bid on this pair, but didn't get a chance to get back to them on Friday. You'll enjoy that Starfire dublin. | ||||||
| Dave |
Sorry to beat you out on them but the way ebay is now you cant tell who's bidding on what |
||||||
| BWThomas |
Not a problem Dave. According to my wife, I've already exceeded my PAD fund for the month. I think I may need to link my paypal to a different and discreet (read: unknown to her) account. |
||||||
| Dave |
Thats not a bad idea to keep her from knowing
Im not married and it wouldnt be a bad idea for me it would save a lot lol |
||||||
| Rev. Avery |
Me too BW. The problem is that there's always a different pipe calling out to us! 
|
||||||
| steverino |
Very nice 65 Dave, I know you'll enjoy it. I'm not sure I've seen a starfire 65 in that finish. | ||||||
| Dave |
I noticed the finish and wondered but wasn't sure
Better for me if its a rare finish lol I forgot I even bid on this one just paid a few minutes ago The band on this one drew me in cant tell if its a corroded metal or some other material http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI....4322&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT |
||||||
| drbridges |
That's a yellow plastic band. Aluminum shortage during WWII forced pipe makers to improvise. All of the aluminum was going into building aircraft. | ||||||
| Dave |
Thank you Drbridges then its older than I thought it to be
I figured late 50's early 60's |
||||||
| ozark southpaw |
It should have a plastic stinger also I believe. If it hasn't been pitched! | ||||||
| LokoMac8 |
At least someone here with the Forum got it!!! I threw in the starting bid and had intended on bidding again near auction close -- got to watching football and totally forgot! Let me know if the number 9992 is correct -- I didn't have that version of the shape if it is. Sellers are often bad about misreading the numbers, though. --RJ-- Sorry lokomac8, you didn't win the item. Buyer view Item:VINTAGE PIPE/SMOKING PIPE/DR.GRABOW-SUPREME/BEAUTY!! •See more items from this seller Listing info Start price: $0.99 Your maximum bid: $0.99 |
||||||
| Rev. Avery |
I was looking at it too. Had put in my bid. Was thinking about going back to up my bid, but forgot! Glad you got it. Tell us more about it once you get it. | ||||||
| BWThomas |
I was just looking too. I figured RJ would have been all over that one. | ||||||
| LokoMac8 |
I intended on being "all over it" as I actually have grown quite found of those "yellow banded" war issue pipes. We still suspect they might be "mountain laurel" -- at least some of them -- but not sure. I believe you can date them to the year of the steel penny, somewhere like 1942-43. Maybe up until 1945. --RJ-- |
||||||
| BWThomas |
RJ, did you happen to see, or did you get that set of four starfires, all numbered, in the past week or so? | ||||||
| ozark southpaw |
I have two of those pipes. One,a 9718 looks like it may be briar. The other,a 9701A just does not look like briar to me | ||||||
| Dave |
Ill be sure to look it over close and let everyone know about the numbers on it and try to find out if its briar or mountain larual
Everyone has my curiosity up now its looking like it will fit in with my early 40's collection of brands I have been trying to collect main well known brands from the 20's 30's 40's So far the collections is growing very large the 20's alone has gotten to about 40 different pipes |
||||||
| LokoMac8 |
Must have missed them. If they were wire carved I would have just passed right on over them. Either way, I don't recall even seeing that auction. --RJ-- |
||||||
| BWThomas |
They were wire carved. I'm sorry I didn't keep up with them. If anyone here got them...please post a picture. BW |
||||||
| LokoMac8 |
Just got in two pipes I won in separate auctions. One is a nice older Linkman's DeLuxe 9713A (saddle bit version of the 9713) with a lot of cake. That pipe was well used, but apparently loved and other than the excessive cake, fairly well cared for.
The other is one of the even older MLC Dr. Grabows with a shape number "44" -- one of those in a shape numbering scheme I have yet to find a chart for. It's got the cleaner and threads that actually look like the original patent. It's in great shape. 
Irishlefty has a similar older MLC Grabow I am bidding on that has a shape number "8" on it. Love those older pipes! --RJ-- {Pictures added after original submission} |
||||||
| BWThomas |
RJ...where are the pictures, we LIKE pictures! | ||||||
| LokoMac8 |
Went back and added photos -- didn't have much time, so just had to use the auction photos to show you. I hate to add too many photos for fear of being seen as "hogging" the Forum or using up too much "space". Other than that, I like photos, too! --RJ-- |
||||||
| Rev. Avery |
Very nice RJ. I wonder if we on the forum are usually bidding against each other??
|
||||||
| Dave |
I think some of us do without knowing
fleabay doesnt show names anymore so its hard to tell |
||||||
| Flycruiser |
I've often wondered that too. Although I like the wire finish so I know Mac and I won't ever get into a bid war! | ||||||
| Dave |
Got these two to the house today
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI....4437&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT Not sure what to think of them The starfire has a vulcanite stem and its screw in with a removable cooling fin the other one has a cryon colored orange dot on the stem and says imported briar and has a kaywoodie type stinger Got it clean it smokes great |
||||||
| Rev. Avery |
I guess it's all fair in love and bidding????
|
||||||
| Terry292 |
When it comes to pipes, there are no friends, only competitors . But, no worries from me. I seldom use E-bay anymore.
Terry |
||||||
| drbridges |
I was a notorious eBay sniper. No mercy for anyone who got in front of my cross-hairs. Fortunately for everyone, I'm not stalking DG pipes on eBay much any longer. | ||||||
| Flycruiser |
Do you focus on new pipes or hit up flea markets for the old ones? |
||||||
| Rev. Avery |
Well ... I must confess that I'm an eBay bidder. I promise to not be too cut-throat though 
|
||||||
| drbridges |
I don't need anymore pipes. I have about 6 unopened ones stashed. I buy new ones occasionally, just to help Mr. Burns and the Sparta staff.
I used to bid like an idiot, Rev. Never got hurt unless I was bidding against another idiot. 
|
||||||
| Rev. Avery |
Ok ... I'll do my best to not be an idiot
|
||||||
| Dave |
It wasnt a Willard if they have plastic bit This one has vulcanite with a metal stinger I cleaned it loaded it with PA and smoked it It smokes as good and cool as any pipe |
||||||
| ted |
Dave...I could imagine a Grabow getting out of the factory unstamped, but can't imagine a Willard escaping. They were so well controlled...I remember the orange dot as a competitor, but not who made it.
Really glad it's a good smoke....ted |
||||||
| LokoMac8 |
I am sure it happens some -- especially after eBay "coded" folks identities (probably just for that reason, although they claimed it was for security. Even then, I was able to figure out a couple of people's coded ID's and my own (mine used to be o***a (670). The same code could be used for several people though, so then you had to go by the auction wins number behind it. I mostly bid on old Chicago Dr. Grabows and smooth finished NUMBER stamped VISCOUNTs (and occasionally other lines if it is a shape with shape number stamp that I don't have). I'll occasionally bis on something else, but usually only the starting bid if it is cheap, just in case no one else bids. My bidding has slowed down considerably though, as it's getting rarer to find shapes that I don't already have. I also go hog wild for Dr. Grabow "paper" and unusual things like salesman's cases and such. If I EVER see another Dr. Grabow UNIQUE though, I'll mortage the house to get it. I let a couple get away before I knew how rare they were! I haven't seen a single one since. I guess the best thing to do, as already has been done a few times here, is just throw a notice out on the DGCF if there is something you really want. I think most of us have stepped aside when someone has done that. Mainly I think we just want to make sure soemone on the Forum gets it -- not sure why. --RJ-- |
||||||
| Dave |
If I know its someone thats a serious collector or someone I know I usually will just look and not bid
Now if it doesnt have any bids with 6 hours to go or its a $1 then usually I will drop a couple dollars on one |
||||||
| LokoMac8 |
My apologies to Irishlefty -- I was once again working in the yard and going to knock off in time to shower before the Cowboys/Giants game. I was going to throw in a bid on the above pipe near the auction close, but forgot all about it until I was already in the shower when it came to mind again. Probably only missed the auction end by a few seconds! Sorry, as I am sure I would have added a few dollars income to your auction . . . --RJ-- |
||||||
| Rev. Avery |
I saw that one too. But, I wanted to let a real collector get it. Plus, I'm kind of stuck on Omegas for righ now.
I did, however, bid on the one with the yellow band that closed the other day. It was a real beauty!! I feel bad because I kept bidding and in the end drove up the price for the poor guy that won it. If it's one of us here ... sorry. 
|
||||||
| LokoMac8 |
Was it this one? --RJ-- 
|
||||||
| drbridges |
You're just too nice, Rev. At times I've bid on DG pipe auctions to drive the price up. Never intended to win the auction. Just wanted to see how high someone else would bid. And a few times I've ended up having to pay the winning bid. |
||||||
| Rev. Avery |
No this wasn't the one RJ. It had a round bowl. But this one is nice too.
DR, thanks. I would have bought it, but it went higher than I was wanting to spend on it. And then, when I didn't bid enough to win it I told my wife I felt sorry for the fellow. I really didn't think it woul go for so much. |
||||||
| steverino |
Don't feel sorry for him RA, if he wasn't willing to pay the price, he wouldn't have bid. | ||||||
| Rev. Avery |
Yes, I thought about that. I was willing to go higher than I had thought I would for it. It was really nice. I wish I could have won it. But, I'll be happy with my Omegas. | ||||||
| drbridges |
Determining what is the most they are willing to pay for an item or a service is tough for lots of folks. It is necessary to succeed in auction sales.
I've been a wedding photographer, and you should see the weird looks I get when I ask a shopping bride, "what photo products do you want, and what are you hoping to pay for them?" Very few can answer. This is why I don't like bidding my highest bid early on eBay. Someone will keep bidding the item up in small increments, figuring I assume, "if someone else is willing to pay this much, it must be worth it." |
||||||
| Rev. Avery |
|
||||||
| Rev. Avery |
RJ here's the link to the one I kept bidding on but didn't get.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI....5726&ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT |
||||||
| BWThomas |
Was it this one Rev.? 
|
||||||
| drbridges |
This is the only pipe I've won on eBay recently.
|
||||||
| Rev. Avery |
BW I almost bid on that one. I thought that was a really nice pipe.
DR I read the description for that pipe and wanted sooooooooo badly to go for that one. I'm really glad you got it. That one really, really caught my eye. My son was considering it too. |
||||||
| Gig |
I won this one the other day. Another Westbrook I have not got. I won it on Irishlefty's ebay site, a great source of awesome pipes
|
||||||
| drbridges |
Yes, I always look 2-3 times at Irishlefty's eBay auctions, because he is such a reputable and trustworthy used pipe seller. I know I will receive more than my money's worth when I win an Irishlefty auction. | ||||||
| Codger |
I'll second that. I've bought a couple of pipes from him. You can't go wrong. |
||||||
| Rev. Avery |
Nice pipe Gig. I like Lefty too. I haven't gotten anything from him yet, but I hope to one day.
I'd put my Omegas up for all to see, but they're kind of seen-one-you've-seen-'em-all. I'll have to get a nice collectable Grabow to post. I'm still going to keep on searching for a unique, really nice Omega though 
|
||||||
| BWThomas |
Rev!....we like pictures. Post your rotation for us. BW |
||||||
| BWThomas |
Got this one in today. Almost didn't get it. I had set a max bid and forgot about it, was out and about when it ended. There was one other matching bid. If he'd gone a penny higher, I would have lost it.
This is one of those matte finish Royal Dukes. I really like this shape, wish it were still available new. I'd buy a mess of them to be future estate pipes. I'm showing it next to one of my bent billiards and a Freehand for a size comparison. The bowl interior is identical to that of the bent billiard. It's a filter pipe.     
|
||||||
| Rev. Avery |
Very nice BW. I'm going to have to bid on some nice ones like that too.
Honestly though (and I'm sure this is just my hang-up) it's hard for me knowing I might be bidding against someone from the Forum. I'm sure I'll get over it though
|
||||||
| BWThomas |
Well Rev, you really can't worry about that too much. I usually post what I'm going after, if I think it is something that someone else here would be going for as well, especially older models with shape numbers. I haven't gone into sniper mode yet when it comes to buying pipes. If I know that someone else here has an eye on a particular pipe, I'll back off. I still don't consider myself a 'real' collector. I haven't established a sense of what I would collect if I did decide to put some real resources towards this pastime. In the meantime, I just buy what I think I'd like to smoke. It's nice having a large rotation, a clean pipe makes this so much more enjoyable. |
||||||
| ozark southpaw |
I like that bent Royal Duke Barry. Looks like it hasn't seen much use. I have one that is rusticated. It's been down in the shop for a month waiting for me to fix a loose stem problem.
Rev. ya gotta get over it man!! I haven't bought any pipes off ebag in a while but when I do I figure if I get outbid on a pipe I really want it's my fault. I doubt that anyone here is going to get upset if you outbid them.Alls fair in love and war! I'm sure that no one wants to step on any toes,but it's bound to happen and only hurts for a little while! |
||||||
| drbridges |
Rev wrote:
Won't hurt my feelings even a little. Over the years I have probably lost as many auctions as I have won. And now under eBay I cannot know who else is bidding. Bid the most you are willing to pay, and let it go at that. Figure whoever wins is the one who wanted it most. Remember, we're not all buyers, some of us are eBay sellers too, and we like to see bidders raising the final price. |
||||||
| BWThomas |
Rusticated...same shape? Sure would like to see that! Is it a filter? |
||||||
| ted |
Gig, I'm astounded that you haven't gotten my gift. It was mailed 2 1/2 weeks ago. I really wanted it to be your 7th Westbrook. Well, you'll enjoy it whenever it comes. We once used pony express in the US (my grandfather even rode a horse to deliver the mail)........guess the pony musta' drown. It is a long swim to Australia......ted |
||||||
| Rev. Avery |
"Remember, we're not all buyers, some of us are eBay sellers too, and we like to see bidders raising the final price."
Hadn't thouhgt about it from that perspective DR. Ok ... no more mister nice guy!
|
||||||
| ozark southpaw |
It looks to be the same shape as your pipe Barry. It is carved like the Dukes. It is marked only Dr. Grabow-imported briar. I have carved a crude spade into the bowl. I lied about the stem. I had worked on it before but it now has a long crack.ABS stem. Need to fit another stem. It is a filter pipe. |
||||||
| Gig |
Hello Ted The horse did not drown mate. I just received it the other day and thankyou so much. I've already smoked it with SG St James flake and like my other Westbrooks it smoked great. Officially it is my seventh pipe as the other has not arrived yet. Thankyou again for your generosity. I am humbled by it. |
||||||
| BWThomas |
Plastex will fix that stem. That little RoyalDuke #19 I have, developed a long deep split on the underside of the stem at the fitting. Filled it with Plastex. Good as new. Post or send a pic if you get a chance |
||||||
| LokoMac8 |
And what is, and where can I find this "Plastex"? Does it come in basic black. I ask because I may be getting some pipes that have nice little holes DRILLED through the stems . . . --RJ-- |
||||||
| BWThomas |
I posted earlier that I would patch those for you if and when you got those pipes....but here's the link: http://plastex.home.att.net/ This stuff is incredible. I am sitting here working on some stems right now. |
||||||
| ted |
Barry....Better not give me too much information. Might just fix em' up and keep them. RJ who?...ted | ||||||
| ted |
Glad you got it and also glad that it was #7. Saw it in the box of "barn pipes" from RJ and thought of you. Glad you like it...Enjoy....ted |
||||||
| ted |
If anyone is interested in a few Alphas, this seems to be a really good assortment and is getting little attention. Shipping seems a little high...ted
http://cgi.ebay.com/BEAUTIFUL-8-P...a5e22388&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 |
||||||
| ozark southpaw |
Nice set but a bit out of my range at present! | ||||||
| ted |
WHOA....That got out of hand pretty quick. Sorry I mentioned them...ted |
||||||
| ozark southpaw |
They are probably worth that and if I could I would!! | ||||||
| steverino |
Yep, if I had a little extra right now I'd give them a go. Those are some darn nice pipes.
Hey, what about this - somebody here with sufficient capital buy them and we'll split them up. Eh? I wouldn't mind paying $20 - $25 for one and wouldn't mind if the one who buys them made a buck or two for his trouble. I should think there would be minimum risk involved since we pretty much all seem to like the Alphas. We do, don't we? |
||||||
| BWThomas |
I was thinking the same thing. I might just go after them. There are a couple in there I wouldn't mind having. RJ would probably be happy with just the box and paper...LOL |
||||||
| steverino |
And Barry, if you are interested in the whole lot, don't feel obligated to do what I said - it was just a suggestion in case no one wanted to shoulder the whole burden.
|
||||||
| BWThomas |
It would be nice to have the entire collection, but honestly, there are only two there that I would be interested in. Still a couple days until this ends, so if there is anyone else looking to get the entire collection...speak up and I'll back off. |
||||||
| ted |
Barry....I'll take the "runt of the litter". Didn't see "nary" a one that I wouldn't welcome into my rotation. I like dublins/yachts and there were a couple......ted | ||||||
| Gig |
I'd buy one off you
|
||||||
| Rev. Avery |
DR, did you get the pipe shown here? My son won one from the same fellow and it hasn't shown up yet. Just curious.
Edit: I was referring to the picture of the pipe you posted above. |
||||||
| drbridges |
No, haven't received it yet. Auction ended 8 days ago. It isn't unusual for some eBay items to arrive 14 days after auction close. Some eBay sellers ship only once/week. | ||||||
| Rev. Avery |
I'll be patient. It's acutally a pipe my son won. I emailed the fellow though, and haven't heard back. That's when I get a little concerned. But, it wasn't a big dollar win. | ||||||
| drbridges |
Remember the wait when you leave feedback. Prompt eBay sellers deserve higher marks. | ||||||
| Rev. Avery |
Good point. I tend to want to rate them all well. Haven't had anybody, yet, where it's been unreasonaly long before I got what I won. But, some are really, really quick. I do tend to comment well on that in the comment section. | ||||||
| Rev. Avery |
DR, got a nice email from the eBay pipe fellow. He was out of town visiting his father who got really sick ... cancer. So, he's back and will be mailing his pipes out as soon as he can. | ||||||
| Rev. Avery |
So, just curious, anyone going for the Alphas? I thought it was interesting to read what you guys were thinking. I like to hear follow ups on things like that. It's fun to watch/hear plans come together.
|
||||||
| drbridges |
Barry is buying all of the Alphas and giving them to us for Christmas. Yay!! Barry!! | ||||||
| Rev. Avery |
Wow, way to go Barry! You're such a nice guy
|
||||||
| Flycruiser |
I'll PM Barry my address and that of the 7 other imaginary pipe smokers who live there.... |
||||||
| Rev. Avery |
Do we get to send in requests?
|
||||||
| Gig |
What a great Xmas present Barry, thankyou
|
||||||