article

The revolution of the system pipe

De revolutie van de systeempijp

By Don Duco

Abstract: Extend article on the history of the system pipe that started in the United States in the 1930's and gave a movement in pipe design that still exists today.

Sorry, we do not have an English text of this article available. See for the full text the Dutch version of our website.

© Don Duco, Pijpenkabinet Foundation, Amsterdam - Holland, 2006.

Illustrations

1a-e. The Kirsten pipe with the rustificated black bowl and stem with square diameter including a version with a smaller smooth bowl in polished briar. Kirsten Pipe Company Inc., Seattle (Washington), USA, 1975-1985.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 398, 17.641

2a-e. System pipe known as Bryson with an aluminimum stem with interior and screw on bowl made from pressed briar dust painted with imitation wood grains. Briarwood Corporation, Palo Alto (California), USA, 1960-1965.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 17.899

3a-h. Various old print work such as product descriptions, leaflets, advertisments and folders for the Falcon pipe. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1960-1990.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections documentation

4a-g. The characteristic Falcon pipe including details showing the twisted stem, the mark the eagle's head on the mouthpiece and the marks and codes on the base of the bowl. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1960-1975.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 227

5a-d. A variety on the Falcon called Alco, a new design with smaller size and sportive imago finished in coloured aluminimum, including the hygienic cover on the stem end. Here with bowl shape spool. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1960-1970.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 820b

6a-c. The Falcon International Filter Pipe from 1977 for a healthier smoke because of the filter system, the metal of stem and bowl base is covered with plastic. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1977-1980.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 12.444

7a. The American Dr. Grabow Viking, a serious imitation of the Falcon pipe with the cooling ribs on the top of the stem, patented in the USA in 1954. USA, 1960-1970.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 3289

8a-c. The famous Yello-Bole by the Kaywoodie firm, patented in 1956. Note the beautifull cooling ribs going round the stem. Penacook, New Hampshire, USA, 1960-1970.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 4848

9a. A very special design is shown in this system pipe called Peacemaker having an upgoing stem with particular schwung. Britain's Best Briar, London, England, 1965-1975. Including two advertisements for the English Titan (ill. 9b) and the Colibri (ill. 9c), the first a variety on the Falcon, the second with a completey different design and a complicated system in the metal pipe stem.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 18.407

10a-c. The Ropp relax system pipe with a cherry wood bowl showing the skin on the wood on the outside placed on a red plastic base and stem with seven mini smoke chambers. Ropp, Saint-Claude, France, 1960-1970.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 18.406

11a-b. One of the many less perfect system pipes, the Super Twist, made according to the concept of Falcon at one of the competing factories. The aluminimum still has the perfect quality. France,1965-1975.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 2773a

12a-b. A product of the middle quality marked Aero. Mind the screw in the bowl interior for air regulation. France, 1965-1975.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 4693

13a-e. The Lindbergh with flat stem having a row of rectangular openings along the sides of the stem, produced in white metal and in brown like the Falcon. Lindbergh, France, 1965-1975.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 2327

14a-e. System pipe of the mark Jima with a frame stem with filter compartment, the mouthpiece and the bowl of hard plastic, the bowl interior in ceramic. Berrod-Regad-Groupe, Saint-Claude, France, 1965-1975.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 2862, 11.905ab

15a-f. The Kayos-Spiralo from Italy, a cheap system pipe of inferior quality produced with meerschaum bowl and in briar wood finishing. Italy, 1965-1975.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 814, 7473

16a-c. An extremely cheap system pipe by Lorenzo, the stem is not only of a poor quality plastic but especially the modelling is too rough so that the pipe became unelegant. Lorenzo, Gallarate, Italy, 1975-1980.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 2301

17a-c. The Eagle Dry, a cheap Italian frame that can be fitted with briar bowls from the brand Yello-Bole, that also inspired the design for this pipe. Italy, 1975-1980.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 3734

18a-b. The Brilon popular, a system pipe with detachable wooden bowl and plastic base and stem. On the bottom of the bowl an absorbing ring and in the stem a ditto filter. Sweden, 1965-1975.
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 292

19. The Future 2000 or Sumeler consisting of an aluminimum stem with filter system and a geometrical bowl with vice. Germany, 1998-1999
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 822a-c

20. Tobacco pipe with a detachable bowl on a wooden base brought under the name Dolphin. EWA, Saint-Claude, France, 1998-2000
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 1030ab

21. System pipe of the type Falcon with a plastic stem and a block-meerschaum bowl, on the stem the mark EP. Levent Yügüzür, Iskezir, Turkey, 2001
Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 301

Notes

1. Also called Works. The products of this period are marked on the boxes with D.M.W Inc.Chicago Ill.

2. Otto Pollner, ‘Patented pipe systems, then and now’, The Pipe Year Book 1999, Paris, 1999, p 119.

3. G. Guyot, Les pipiers Français, Paris, 1991, p 57.

4. Production enlargement in Ireland by Presbar that produces the stems. The Irish bowls were made in Leixlip by Hunt Associates Ltd, a joint venture between George Hunt and some Irish businessmen.

5. Charles Graves, A pipe smoker’s Guide, London, 1969, p 105 a.f.

6. Alexis Libaert & Alain Maya, The Illustrated History of the Pipe, London, 1994, p 202.

7. US patent D204.652.

8. Jacques P. Cole, ‘The dangers of new ideas and trends’, The Pipe Year Book 1996, Paris 1996, p 77.

9. Don Duco, Büttner, een rookmachine van een alternatief materiaal (Büttner, a smoke machine made from an alternative material), Amsterdam, 2002.
1a. The Kirsten pipe with the rustificated black bowl and stem with square diameter. Kirsten Pipe Company Inc., Seattle (Washington), USA, 1975-1985.
1b. The different elements of the Kirsten pipe. Kirsten Pipe Company Inc., Seattle (Washington), USA, 1975-1985.
1c. The Kirsten pipe with a polished briar bowl and characteristic square stem. Kirsten Pipe Company Inc., Seattle (Washington), USA.
1d. The factories name on the stem of the pipe. Kirsten Pipe Company Inc., Seattle (Washington), USA.
1e. The patent on the stem of the Kirsten pipe. Kirsten Pipe Company Inc., Seattle (Washington), USA.
2a. System pipe known as Bryson with an aluminimum stem with interior and screw on bowl made from pressed briar dust painted with imitation wood grains. Briarwood Corporation, Palo Alto (California), USA, 1960-1965
2b. Top view of the Bryson with an aluminimum stem with interior and screw on bowl. Briarwood Corporation, Palo Alto (California), USA, 1960-1965
2c. The various elements of the Bryson system pipe. Briarwood Corporation, Palo Alto (California), USA.
2d. Bottom view of the bowl with aluminimum screw. Briarwood Corporation, Palo Alto (California), USA.
2e. Inside of the bowl of the Bryson showing the screw for air regulation. Briarwood Corporation, Palo Alto (California), USA.
3a. Diagram from the publication by Graves explaining the system of the Falcon, 1969.
3b. Instruction how to place a so-called dry ring in the base of the Falcon pipe, c. 1974.
3c. Product information for the Falcon pipe, England, 1965.
3d. Magazine advertisement for the Falcon. England, 1974.
3e. Magazine advertisement for the Falcon together with gift jars with tobacco. England, 1975.
3f. Advertisement for a magazine for the Falcon pipe in its various finishings. England, 1976.
5a. The Alco, a variety on the Falcon with a six-sided elegant stem. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1960-1970. 11a. One of the many look-a-likes of the Falcon, the Super Twist. 15f. Advertisement of the Kayos showing the system with the plastic dish with spirals. Italy, 1965-1975.
11b. The base of the bowl of the Super Twist showing the mark of the pipe.
3g. Advertisment for the Falcon Bent, the curved pipe shape. England, 1980. 5b. The Alco with a complete different shape. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1960-1970.
16a. A very unelegant design in cheap plastic and poor quality briar. Lorenzo, Gallarate, Italy, 1975-1980.
5c. The plastic cover of the stem with in white the mark including the globe and a warning not to remove the mouthpiece. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1960-1970.
12a. Exactly in the style of the Alco here a dry smoker from a French factory. France, 1965-1975.
16b. Top view of the plastic Lorenzo with the unelegant stem curves. Lorenzo, Gallarate, Italy, 1975-1980.
12b. The bowl of the Aero taken from the stem with a bold in the base for air regulation. France, 1965-1975
5d. A geometrical sandblasted bowl named Spool of the Alco finished to match the colour of the metal stem. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1960-1975.
16c. The base of the bowl showing the logo of the firm with a small pipe in the letter O. Lorenzo, Gallarate, Italy, 1975-1980.
3h. Modern product information for the Falcon. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1998.
13a. The Lindbergh metallique characterised by a flat stem with rectangular openings along the side. Lindbergh, France, 1965-1975. 17a. The Eagle Dry with a bowl with four sides, a cheap Italian frame that can be fitted with briar bowls from the brand Yello-Bole, that also inspired the design for this pipe. Italy, 1975-1980.
6a. The Falcon filter pipe with an aluminimum base covered with coloured plastic, the stem can contain a filter. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1977-1985.
17b. Bottom side of the Eagle Dry, the cooling ribs were imitated from the American Yello-Bole. Italy, 1975-1980.
6b. The mark the eagle's head on the stem and the original plastic cover on the mouthpiece. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1977-1985. 13b. The base of the bowl of the Lindbergh metallique with the mark. Lindbergh, France, 1965-1975.
17c. Detail of the base of the bowl of the Eagle Dry with the product name in full. Italy, 1975-1980
4a. The characteristic Falcon, an untouchable design for over fifty years. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1960-1975.
6c. The bowl taken from the base of the pipe showing central in the dish the condensor. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1977-1985.
4b. Similar but different, the Falcon with another bowl shape. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1960-1975.
13c. The Lindbergh in a brown version like Falcon used to make. Lindbergh, France, 1965-1975.
4c. The Falcon bent introduced a little later and less modern in the look. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1960-1975.
7a. The Amercan Dr. Grabow Viking, a serious pipe and good follower of the Falcon, patented in 1954. USA, 1960-1970.
13d. Top view of the Lindbergh showing the rectangular openings in de stem. Lindbergh, France, 1965-1975. 18a. The Brilon popular, a system pipe with detachable wooden bowl and plastic base and stem. Sweden, 1965-1975.
7b. Advertisement in a magazine for the Dr. Plumb peacemaker as counterpart of the American Dr. Grabow pipe.
4d. The mark the eagles head on the top of the mouthpiece of the Falcon. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1960-1975.
13e. Bottom view of the Lindbergh showing the rectangular openings in de stem. Lindbergh, France, 1965-1975.
18b. The Brilon popular, a system pipe with detachable wooden bowl, on the bottom of the bowl an absorbing ring and in the stem a ditto filter. Sweden, 1965-1975.
14a. The Jima with frame stem and bowl and mouthpiece in ivory coloured plastic. Berrod-Regad-Groupe, Saint-Claude, France, 1965-1975.
19a. The Future 2000 or Sumeler with a globular bowl on an aluminium stem with filtersystem, Germany, 1998-1999.
14b. Top view of the Jima giving an impression of the frame stem with the compartment for the filter. Berrod-Regad-Groupe, Saint-Claude, France, 1965-1975.
8a. The American Yello-Bole by the firm Kaywoodie, patented in 1956. Penacook, New Hampshire, USA, 1960-1970.
19b. The Future 2000 or Sumeler with a geometrical bowl on an aluminium stem with filtersystem, Germany, 1998-1999.
14c. The mouthpiece of the Jima with the mark in modern lettering in silver. Berrod-Regad-Groupe, Saint-Claude, France, 1965-1975.
8b. Top view of the Yello-Bole by the firm Kaywoodie. Penacook, New Hampshire, USA, 1960-1970.
19c. The Future 2000 or Sumeler with a meerschaum bowl on an aluminium stem with a filtersystem, Germany, 1998-1999.
8c. Base of the pipe frame of the Yello-Bole showing the mark inscription. Penacook, New Hampshire, USA, 1960-1970.
4e. The smoke tube of the Falcon within the frame of the stem. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1960-1975.
20a. Removable bowl on a wooden base launced under the name Dolphin. EWA, Saint-Claude, France, 1998-2000
9a. The remarkable design of the dry smoker by BBB, Britain's Best Briar, London, England, 1965-1975.
14d. The Jima with frame stem and bowl and mouthpiece in black plastic. Berrod-Regad-Groupe, Saint-Claude, France, 1965-1975. 20b. Top view of the Dolphin. EWA, Saint-Claude, France, 1998-2000
9b. The Titan, another British counterpart of the Falcon.
14e. Top view of the Jima showing the frame stem including the movable filter holder. Berrod-Regad-Groupe, Saint-Claude, France, 1965-1975. 21a. Cover holding a system pipe of the Falcon type with plastic stem and blockmeerschaum bowl. Levent Yügüzür, Iskezir, Turkey, 2001.
9c. The system pipe brought by Colibri of which the design is fully independent to the Falcon.
15a. The Kayos-Spiralo, a rather cheap Italian version of the system pipe.
21b. Side view of the system pipe of the Falcon type with block meerschaum bowl. Levent Yügüzür, Iskezir, Turkey, 2001.
4f. The mark Falcon placed where the stem is attached to the bowl, the condensor interior shows the series numbers. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1960-1975. 10a. The dry smoker from Ropp with a red plastic base and a bowl in cherry wood. Ropp, Saint-Claude, France, 1960-1970.
15b. Top view of the Kayos-Spiralo from Italy showing the rectangular openings in the stem.
10b. The base of the bowl of the Ropp pipe showing the mark, in the stem some air compartments are visible. Ropp, Saint-Claude, France, 1960-1970. 21c. Bowl interior with the stone having four smoke channels. Levent Yügüzür, Iskezir, Turkey, 2001.
15c. Another version of the Kayos-Spiralo, here with a briar bowl.
15d. Top view of the Kayos-Spiralo from Italy showing the rectangular openings in the stem.
4g. The bowl taken from the base showing the condensor. Falcon Pipes Ltd., Brentford, England, 1960-1975.
10c. The cherrywood bowl taken from the plastic stem. Ropp, Saint-Claude, France, 1960-1970. 15e. The bottom of the bowl of the Kayos-Spiralo with the traditional intaglio marking. 21d. Bottom view with the mark EP in the style of the Falcon. Levent Yügüzür, Iskezir, Turkey, 2001.

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