TheDuke
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Pipe Pre-smokerOn one of the links I came upon a illistration of the Pre-smoking machine. It stated that it was featured on 'Ripley's'. Was wondering if anyone had a real pic of this thing? Does it still exist say for viewing on a factory tour? Just curious to learn more! I'm a sponge for DG knowlege! 
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drbridges
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No photos here, Duke. The illustration shows a plumbing pipe contraption mounted to a wall. This was Linkman's original Chicago vacuum smoker. Jack Martin told me they used a similar contraption at Sparta in 1963. The automated "carousel" pre-smoker was developed later. It holds something like 80-90 pipe bowls.
Your guess is as good as mine, as to whether Sparta disconnected and moved Linkman's pre-smoker; or simply made their own based on Linkman's original design. My guess is that if it was simply plumbing pipe and fittings, it would be easier and cheaper to make it new in Sparta.
Which means the old original may still be in the Lincoln Park Branch of the Chicago Library Bldg.
WE NEED SOMEBODY ON THE GROUND IN CHICAGO!!!
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ted
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I don't know whether the old original pre-smoker we had in Sparta was from the Linkman time, but it looked EXACTLY like the picture in the Ripley's ad.
I sent Sir Duke (and others) several pictures of the manufacturing processes and a couple were the new Pre-Smoker. Mac also has a good picture from the WSJ if his is a better copy than mine.....ted
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drbridges
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The older wall-mounted smoker was more labor intensive. The worker had to fit, fill, and light each bowl while flipping the vacuum lever off/on.
Why on earth they chose to use Edgeworth and Prince Albert tobacco for that is simply beyond me. ted, couldn't y'all just buy plain old bulk tobacco on the tobacco market a lot cheaper than buying a ready made blend?
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ted
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Guys.....Couple of things....TheDuke, in the "gallery" there is a picture of the new pre-smoker, and a picture of the full page ad related to Ripley's. You can probably move them over here. I didn't try.
Dr.B....Can't speak for Edgeworth, but as far as PA.....Remember how many willard and coupon pipes we were selling to RJR. We got the PA in 25 pound boxes, and I never remember seeing a bill from RJR for it.
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drbridges
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| Quote: | | We got the PA in 25 pound boxes, and I never remember seeing a bill from RJR for it. |
Linkman's DG ads from the period usually mention Edgeworth by name. That may have been enough compensation for Larus.
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LokoMac8
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| drbridges wrote: | | Quote: | | We got the PA in 25 pound boxes, and I never remember seeing a bill from RJR for it. |
Linkman's DG ads from the period usually mention Edgeworth by name. That may have been enough compensation for Larus. |
And, at the time, it appears that Larus and Dr. Grabow may have had a similar "promotion" going. I have two pipes that came in a box mailed from Larus & Bro., along with a nice little pamphlet about smoking and EDGEWORTH tobacco. That is all circa 1937. Indeed, EDGEWORTH got a plug in almost every Dr. Grabow ad.
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LokoMac8
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Re: Pipe Pre-smoker | TheDuke wrote: | | On one of the links I came upon a illistration of the Pre-smoking machine. It stated that it was featured on 'Ripley's'. Was wondering if anyone had a real pic of this thing? Does it still exist say for viewing on a factory tour? Just curious to learn more! I'm a sponge for DG knowlege! |
DRB, you're holding out on us. There is a nice photo in your 1937 Dr. Grabow catalogue!
There are some "real" photos of the machine and a fellow attending to it, looking like a scientist in his nice white frock. Apparently, that ONE photo was the basis for ALL the artwork that followed. This photo also appears on a SUPREME pipe display I have circa 1949, in color. I do not think that I have any other views of the "machine".
There are several photos of the Sparta Pre-Smoking machine, but I never got around to cropping out just the photo. If a better one doesn't surface, here's a view of that:
Here's another view that TED sent me. Again, I never had time to just crop it out for the digital files I keep:
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ted
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Thanks Mac....Knew you had it...ted
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LokoMac8
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| ted wrote: | | Thanks Mac....Knew you had it...ted |
Had it, yes! Finding what I have, well, sometimes that is a challenge, especially if I put it in some "special place"! --RJ--
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TheDuke
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Thanks for the info Mac! The best pics I Found on Google was the DG Watertower! Funny thing is the second pic was your avatar! 
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ted
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By the way, I know the fellow who is actually smoking a pipe.....really well...ted
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LokoMac8
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| TheDuke wrote: | | Thanks for the info Mac! The best pics I Found on Google was the DG Watertower! Funny thing is the second pic was your avatar! |
DGCF member "Terry" has provided me with some long sought after info. Photocopies of photocopies so it isn't real clear, BUT SOME REALLY GREAT STUFF. When I get back home I will try and scan another "photo" of the Pre-Smoking machine -- a whole new perspective that shows it was actually a bit larger than what I thought and "manned" by women! Thanks, Terry! --RJ--
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TheDuke
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Look foward to seeing it!
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LokoMac8
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| TheDuke wrote: | | Look foward to seeing it! |
I just posted the Dr. Grabow History article that appeared in a 1946 issue of the PIPE LOVERS magazine on my web site, sans the photos. I did it in a hurry, but tried to retype the text faithful to the original. Maybe I can get the photos scanned tomorrow after attending my Daughter's college graduation and doing some Chrsitmas shopping with the wife.
In regard to the pre-smoking of Dr. Grabow pipes, that article had this to say:
"A good grade of smoking tobacco is used in the process. The bowls are filled, lighted, and slowly smoked to the bottom, cleaned out, filled and relighted again. This continues for several pipefuls, until the pipes are thoroughly and completely broken in.
"The process is essentially the same as the careful pipe smoker gives his pipe, in that the puffing is very slow and even. The pipes are cooled between pipefuls, and all the care that a pipe should receive during the breaking-in period is given the Dr. Grabow."
I was floored to learn they pre-smoked them more than once!!! Not only labor intensive, but quite time consuming, one would think! --RJ--
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ted
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Wonderful article. Wonderful addition.
Mac, We only smoked them once....
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LokoMac8
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Linkman's Pre-Smoking Machine | TheDuke wrote: | | Look foward to seeing it! |
OK, here's a quick scan of Linkman's Pre-Smoking machine -- hastily posted because me and the wife have a "date" to watch the Dallas Cowboys in a moment. As you can see, more of the "machine" is shown and there are no lab coat-clad "scientists" there.
As you can see, it came from a generously provided photocopy, so please bear with the lack of quality. One day I will secure the actual magazine for better reproduction of the photos.
I have also added a photo to the web site of Louis B. Linkman.
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TheDuke
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Thank's for the additional info RJ! Read the article on your site and it was great! 
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drbridges
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I read the article too, Mac. Thanks to Mac and Terry.
Perhaps we can finally put the DG myth of Mary Linkman to rest. She didn't start the company. She didn't own the company. She didn't manage the company. She probably didn't smoke a pipe.
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ozark southpaw
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Hey Ted, who's the guy smokin' the pipe? Great stuff Guys!!
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LokoMac8
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| TheDuke wrote: | | Look foward to seeing it! |
Sometimes one deals with so much information and materials, one forgets what one has or has done before. A listing on eBay of an RJR/Grabow pamphlet reminded me of a color photo of the Linkman style Pre-Smoking machine at Sparta. I had scanned this a long time ago, when I was comparing different issues of the same pamphlet trying to date the undated materials. So, at the risk of running this subject into the ground, here is the shot of the early Pre-Smoking machine as it appeared in the RJR pamphlet:
Of course, if we say the Pre-Smoked pipe began circa 1931-1933, then my early guesses at the dates I put on the pamphlets are in error. If we take circa 1931-33 as the beginning of the Pre-Smoked Dr. Grabow pipe, then the one on the left should have been WRITTEN (who knows how long they used the same printing) around 1953 when HL&T first took over, and the one on the right about 1963, which is far earlier than the postmarked box it came in. --RJ--
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ted
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| ozark southpaw wrote: | | Hey Ted, who's the guy smokin' the pipe? Great stuff Guys!! |
TED........ted
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TheDuke
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| ted wrote: | | ozark southpaw wrote: | | Hey Ted, who's the guy smokin' the pipe? Great stuff Guys!! |
TED........ted |
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ozark southpaw
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Is that you Ted?Ted,that pipe looks good on ya !! It would be interesting to know your history with DG. I remember reading somewhere that you said you started as a sander and also that you retired as President of the company. Would be interesting to know what took place in between!!
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ted
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Re: Is that you Ted? | ozark southpaw wrote: | | Ted,that pipe looks good on ya !! It would be interesting to know your history with DG. I remember reading somewhere that you said you started as a sander and also that you retired as President of the company. Would be interesting to know what took place in between!! |
OS...Thanks... I "met" Mac, Dr.B, and Tom Martin long before I had the "balls" to get on this Forum. They know that. I told them a BUNCH. Think my story will be chapter 64 of the 63 chapter book we ALL are contimplating.
Yes, started in January, 1966 after dropping out of the University of
NC. Started as a sander for .65/hr. Retired in January, 1991 as President and COO.
I think there is one great story "in between". One day I'll try and tell it all.
Thanks for asking......ted
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ozark southpaw
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I hope you do tell that story some day Ted !! I think that the story of someone who starts at the bottom and works their way up to the top would be an important part of the DG story and any book that may be written of it.Maybe a thread-Me and DG or some such- that you could add to if and when you wanted till that book comes along!
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