Dr. Grabow Pipes

introibo · Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 11:01 am Post subject: Dr Grabow Book

Fellow collectors: I just joined this forum, on account of I have just started collecting Dr Gs and Master Crafts. I noticed someone had raised the idea of a book about Dr Grabow.

I have a small technical writing business and some experience in editing, layout, etc. If any of you are interested, please be advised of my great interest, and willingness to take on the project, if agreeable, for free. This would be done in my spare time, but I would be willing to devote some regular free time hours to it.

Might I suggest a hard copy and online version of the book, with the hard copy printed digitally for easy production and mailing? With good printers and some creative cover design you can do a lot with digital print, and keep the costs down. If, in the event that a commercial publisher was interested, the project were taken further, the soft copy could be used to prepare offset printing plates.

I am not trying to push this idea, or claim to be the best guy for it, but just volunteering. What you people have created with this forum is a piece of history, and a tremendous labour of love. I think it would be a pity if the facts, legends, anecdotes and pictures were lost.

Best regards,

Peter

Terry292 · Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 5:50 pm Post subject:

Peter, good to see you over here. Jump right into the discussions and feel free to ask questions. I won't be able to answer them, but Mac, Dr B, or Ted can tell you all you want to know about Dr Grabow pipes. Tell us a little more about yourself. I'm intrigued by your location.
Terry
_________________
If I cannot smoke in Heaven, then I shall not go...Mark Twain

gillywalker · Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 10:49 pm Post subject:

introibo,

Is this the same introibo who writes reviews at tobaccoreviews.com?

introibo · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:59 am Post subject: Dr Grabow: the book

Gilly and Terry
Thanks for the welcome message. Yes, it is the same introibo. I live in Abu Dhabi, and have my own small business there. It is mainly an oil town, similar in some ways to Doha, Al Khobar and other middle eastern oil towns. I have been in the Arab Gulf since 1990. Came for two years, originally, and stayed.
I don't think there are many pipe smokers here. There used to be a great pipe shop in Saudi Arabia years ago, serving US oil people and service personnel stationed there, but it closed. Here in Abu Dhabi, we are not well served, mostly with Savinellis, Dunhills and the occasional Medico. No OTCs either.
I was intriqued by the Dr Grabow story. I heard of them on the Internet a few years back, and gave them no thought, but decided to start collecting them because I can't afford to collect "high end" pipes. I was equally interested in them because they are a part of history -- US history. I am from Canada originally, and thus grew up in the looming but kind and protective shadow of the US. This forum is an outstanding example of what the Internet can do, and the knowledge of everyone needs capturing for posterity.
I just started buying Dr Gs on ebay, along with Woodies and others, and I am a member of the OTC, American Classics and Seconds groups on Smokers Forums.
Yes, I do post a review now and again on TR. Living where I do, I get all my good tobaccos and pipes by mail, and I only know the Dr G and piping communities via the Internet and email.

Regards,

Peter

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

Peter...Welcome to the group. Glad you are here.

Wish you could remember the pipe shop's name in Saudi Arabia. They were customers for both Grabow as well as the many brands that Mastercraft offered. I can't remember the name.

Anyway, enjoy the Forum....ted

introibo · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:32 pm Post subject: Pipe shop in Al Khobar

Ted
I bought a "no name" pipe at that shop back in 1990. It broke one day when I tapped it on my heel.

It was located in the Al Shula shopping mall, which burned down in around 1994. I also bought a cherry flavoured tobacco there. The counter man was an Indian, and I think the shop was owned by a Saudi Arabian. It was stocked to the brim with pipes, but at that time I knew very little about pipes and tobacco, and was not a full time pipe smoker.

I looked for it a couple of years back, when I was over there, but I don't think it ever reopened after the fire. I suspect that times had changed, and there weren't as many pipe smokers around, hence no market.

Great to hear from you,

Peter