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How to Collect Tobacco Pipes

Pipe collecting has been around for as long as pipes have been used to smoke tobacco. Many pipe collectors are also pipe smokers and will seek out different styles of pipes to try. Starting a pipe collection is as easy as owning more than one pipe. As written in the charter of the North American Society of Pipe Collectors, "If you have one pipe, you're a pipe smoker. If you have two pipes, you're a collector."

Instructions

- 1
  Research pipes. Learn about the materials used to makes pipes. Know the different styles of pipes, and become familiar with the major pipe makers. Learning to quickly spot well-known or unique pipes can help you make faster decisions when faced with a potential pipe purchase.
- 2
  Attend estate sales and auctions. Pipe smoking is declining in popularity among younger generations, but many older pipe smokers still have their collections. Auctioneers generally sell the entire collection as one item, and may also undervalue the pipes.
- 3
  Buy pipes online. Online auctions may provide several nice pipes for a cheap price. Reputable sellers and dedicated pipe sellers may have accurate information, but amateur sellers may offer better deals on rare pipes.
- 4
  Clean used pipes. Used pipes, also called estate pipes, will need to be cleaned before being smoked. Bleach and polish the stems, and use a pipe reamer, alcohol, and pipe cleaners to clean the bowl. Even if you do not plan on smoking the pipe, it is better to clean it at least once to remove any mold that may have grown in the stem or bowl. Clean pipes are also more attractive to potential future traders or buyers.
- 5
  Trade with other pipe collectors, and attend pipe shows. Not every pipe you buy may be to your liking. Trading with other pipe collectors can give you access to unique pipes and information on other pipe collectors or pipe shows. Pipe shows usually feature new and estate pipe sellers and traders as well as artisan pipe carvers that offer one-of-a-kind handmade pipes.

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