This Newsletter is later than expected, due to technical problems with our web hosting and especially with our email connections. Fortunately the IT-problems are solved now and all lines are open again. In 2008 the Pijpenkabinet Foundation gets into a new phase. This issue enfolds more about the largest project ever undertaken: the digitalization of our complete knowledge. Furthermore you’ll read about some remarkable acquisitions, this time from ethnographic origin. Finally various news items on the Amsterdam Smokers Guild and the changes in the smoking policy here in Holland. Altogether, a variety of news items and readings.

Digitalization
The slogan for the Pijpenkabinet Foundation for the years to come is: From analogue to digital. A concise description for a huge project. We were able to get a rather prestigious grant that enables us to present our whole museum collection on the internet. Out of thirty applications for such a grant, only six met the high expectations in quality, innovativity and reproductivity for other institutions. The application of the Pijpenkabinet was luckily allocated.

If we look at the numbers, it is quite clear that this project is a huge operation: nearly 25.000 objects in the collection, about 10.000 archive records to digitize, over 20.000 pictures, prints, advertisements, clippings from the extensive documentation centre – it is all going to be opened on the web. IT consultants draw up a new system to link these files in order to search the knowledge as in Wikipedia (or Wikipipia ?). The existing files operate individually and are incompatible. After conversion to HTML they will be suitable for the internet and connections from one to another. The museum staff will be able to add information in this system. If copy-rights do not prohibit, the information can be published immediately. This project is only feasible if you work in separate parts, so we start with a selection. We can not yet foresee when the first results will be visible for the general public, hopefully somewhere in 2009. For the time being, the activities will be back-stage.

For the public a new, modern website will be developed with a user friendly interface, including an interactive way to ask questions. The Pijpenkabinet has engaged ABCultuur as an advisors and VTHP as webdesigner, two Dutch firms with a high standard qualification within the cultural world.

For sure the Pijpenkabinet project on digitizing is not the first and only. On the other hand, it proves to be so innovating that the preparations take a long time and gives – inevitable – some frustrations. Working for the long future means that you need to prepare thoroughly: searching for the right hardware for scanning and photography, the right settings for all these machinery, software for data management, etc. etc. Hopefully all time and efforts are a good investment. They are little steps to be taken on the long road to a digital future, worldwide reach-out and unrestricted search into pipe knowledge. We keep you posted in this Newsletter.

Acquisitions

A pipe shaped as a rifle
This relatively small wooden tobacco pipe (length 24 centimetre) shows an unexpected design representing a rifle. The subject of a pistol or rifle is quite popular among African tribes and is more often chosen as a starting point for the design of pipes. Reason of course is the admiration for guns in that continent. The pipe discussed here was recently acquired for the Pijpenkabinet collection and originates from Angola. It dates between 1900 and 1920.

The illustrated pipe is made in the usual techniques that were applied to ordinary pipes from this region as well. The pipe bowl is made out of soft wood, carved in the basis shape. This type of wood burns quickly, so the inside of the bowl has to be protected against the fire by lining it with metal. However technically suitable, it won’t make a tasteful pipe. Only after several times of smoking the carbon layer will reduce the nasty metal taste.

The pipe stem is formed by a simple iron tube, that fits well in the design because of it resembles a rifle barrel. On the top of the stem even the trigger is indicated. The connection between the two materials is made by several metal bands of thin plate metal, both for reinforcement and decoration. Apart from the alteration of metal and wood, the decoration continues at the sides of the pipe bowl and the rifle butt with a pattern of drillings.

It is not easy to attribute this kind of pipe to a specific tribe. The decorative patterns, the techniques and materials are not exclusively used by one tribe, but are known in a larger area. There is, however, a resemblance with ordinary smoking pipes from South-Angola, that suggest this provenance. As we said before, the rifle theme is known form other countries such as Congo and Uganda. Even in China there is a reference made to fire arms, as the opium pipe is indicated as Smoking gun.

Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 19.143.

Strange design
Apart from tobacco pipes of balanced and functional design, strange and unknown smoke utensils can confuse us because of its bizarre and difficult to understand shape and use. An example is shown here with the illustration of a tobacco pipe that has no ties to any tradition at all. A long piece of wood, squared to one end, cylindrical taping at the other and enlarged with a long, straight pipe stem out of brass. The stem is created from a metal sheet, folded up and soldered. The pipe bowl is drilled into the square part, the taping end doesn’t seem to have another function than for holding the pipe.

Characteristic is the metal lining of the bowl interior and the simple connection to the metal stem. The soft wood is far from fire-resisting, so the metal interior is a necessity. A piece of shield metal was cut into a shape to fit for the diameter of the bowl. The rim on the top has been hammered onto the pipe.

The four sided part, we might say the pipe bowl, is decorated with simple carving in a vague pattern including several brass nails. The use of these nails doesn’t give a clue in attributing the pipe to a region of origin. The nails were applied in Congo, the stem looks more like work from Cameroon, while the techniques of the finishing indicates Angola. In short, the pipe is an interesting item with a mix of techniques and difficult to attribute to a specific tribe. The combination of techniques however, indicates that this pipe should origin from the south-west of Africa, but not likely from countries as Cameroon or Congo where the smoking culture was too developed for such an unusual pipe. I should therefore suggest an origin from the west coast of Africa, like Angola.

It is not very understandable how this pipe has been smoked. A comfortable balance is not achieved, not even when the pipe is held by the round end-part on the bowl. Because of the thin stem the mouthpiece turns between the lips and sooner or later the tobacco falls out. A negative fact is therefore the lack of a place for easy holding situated somewhere between the bowl and the mouthpiece.

Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 19.145.

A characteristic Ovimbundi pipe
Traditional and characteristic is this tobacco pipe showing a standing man in the stem, originating from the Ovimbundi tribe. Every detail on this pipe refers to this Angolese tribe from central Angola. The funnel shaped pipe bowl with its wide top and smaller flat base, is typical for all pipes of this tribe. The stem, straight from the bowl, holds a carved decoration on the top, in this case in a rather coarse design. The end of the pipe shows an extremely conical shape, where the iron stem is inserted. The whole construction measures 61 cm in length.

Normally the decoration of an Ovimbundi pipe sits on the middle part of the stem. An interesting variation of persons is known, sitting or laying, sometimes even several persons. The same subjects occurs on other crafts of this tribe, such as stools and chairs. This tobacco pipe shows only one standing person, dressed in narrow trousers and short jacket, his hair in shortcut. The carving is a bit clumsy, but still very attractive.

Another characteristic of the Ovimbundi pipes is the use of sheet metal, that is also shown on this pipe, both practical and decorative. The bowl is covered with metal on the top, inside and at the bottom, that holds – as an extra – some stones in a hollow space that give a noise by moving the pipe. Further on, several metal bands are added on the stem, closed at the lower end in a specific way of folding the metal. Originally the metal will have been bright and shining, now it has acquired a dark gray patina.

In this pipe the tribal characteristics are obvious, although the dating is far more recent than you would expect for such a traditional object. I guess the pipe dates from the 1950’s, perhaps some earlier. This attractive tribal pipe has been preserved and traded in the ex-colonizer Portugal, through which it reached the Pijpenkabinet collection.

Amsterdam, Pijpenkabinet collections Pk 19.146.

The Collezione Museo of Mastro de Paja
The Italian pipe factory Mastro de Paja in Pesaro organised early June a meeting for smokers and everybody who loves the modern tobacco pipe. Next to a traditional competition in ‘Langzeitrauchen’ there was time to meet with exhibitors of special pipe-designs from all parts of the world. On the same occasion the director of Mastro de Paja presented their project Collezione Museo, a unique series of five exclusive pipes, based on historic pipes from different parts of the world. In the next edition of our Newsletter we will pay more attention to this project.

News from the Amsterdam Pipe Smokers Society
On June 9 of this month the Amsterdams Pijprokers Genootschap (Smoking Club) held its final public meeting in the traditional Amsterdam beerpub ‘De Wildeman’. This attracted the press, that dominated the first hour of the meeting with cameras and microphones. Later on, the members and introduced pipe smokers enjoyed the fine aroma of pipe tobacco together with an extensive selection of international beers.

On Monday 30 June the Pipe Smoking Club will convene for the last time in a public house, their usual venue the Amsterdam Art Club ‘Arti et Amicitia’. July 1st the new anti-smoking law in Dutch pubs and restaurants will come into force, in line with European regulations. In clouds of smoke and with some sadness we will say good-bye to the Arti-staff that served us so willingly every month during eight years. The Pipe Smoking Club will go underground, seeing each other in private houses or the Pijpenkabinet. The pipe smoker will disappear from the street and from society.

Pipe smoking coarses
After the summer some new evenings for starters and pipe smokers well on their way will be organized by the Pijpenkabinet. These evenings are open to all those who are interested in pipe smoking, both men and women. Here are the dates:

* Thursday 11 September 2008
* Wednesday 8 October 2008
* Thursday 6 November 2008

The evenings start at 20.00 hours, they last at least two hours but most participants stay longer for a chat, a drink and a smoke. Costs are € 20,- per person. For more information see our website www.pipeclub.nl paragraph 2. Participants mail to: info@pijpenkabinet.nl

Publications on the web
Since the last Newsletter our website is enlarged with some articles that are now available on the internet in full lenght in Dutch. Unfortunate, we have only a very brief summary available for our English readers.

- Vormmakersgereedschap uit Kortrijk, een vondst van onschatbare waarde (Mould makers tools from Courtrai, a find of great value). This article describes how the Pijpenkabinet collection once was enlarged with a unique set of mould makers’ tools from a workshop in Belgium. This acquisition brought up a lot of information on the techniques of the mould making.

- De pijpenmakerij van Heptenstal, een pre-industrieel bedrijf (The workshop of the pipemaker Heptenstal, a pre industrial business). Throws light on the life of an English tinsmith working in Amsterdam, who starts making clay pipes around 1630 to end finally with a combined business in pipes and pottery.

- Een bijzondere persvorm voor een Oranjepijp (A unique press mould for a commemorative pipe on the House of Orange) describes the oldest pipe mould from our collection and underlines the economic value over the centuries.

- Pleidooi voor betere lonen (A plea for better wages). An historic essay on the pipemakers´ society ´Beleid’, that strived between 1908 and 1911 in Gouda for better wages for pipe makers.

Don Duco also wrote in the past months some new articles. A report on the finds titled Kleipijpen uit de Kerkstraat in Aalten (Clay Tobacco pipes from the Church street in Aalten, East Netherlands) deals with pipe finds from the seventeenth century from the village of Aalten. The article Honi soit qui mal y pense, een prestigieuze persvorm teruggevonden (Honi soit qui mal y pense, a prestigious press mould found back) deals with the acquisition of a long so-called ‘meter’ press mould that has been hidden for many years. Finally we read in Het wandrekje voor miniatuurtjes, een souvenir tussen pijpen en plateel (The wall rack for miniature pipes, a souvenir between pipes and Gouda pottery) more about the background of painted pottery pipe racks from Gouda.

A link to these articles is available in paragraph 19 on our website by clicking on the articles in our website. The find report you will find in paragraph 15. Happy reading!

New literature
The passion and research of Wolfgang Cremer from near Cologne in Germany again resulted in a fantastic book. After his adventures on African pipes and American Indian pipes, Cremer focussed in his new work on smoking and the use of tobacco in South-America. The publication is titled “Tabak und Schamanismus bei den Indianern in Südamerika” (published by Baum Publications: Verlag@baum-publications.de).

For the American Indians tobacco seldom or never proves to be a stimulant but mainly a holy and healing plant to be used in magic-religious rituals. The priests or shamans in South-America used the tobacco by smoking, chewing, snuffing or drinking and in such large quantities that they caused a delirium. These hallucinated experiences leads them, or at least their minds in the worlds of gods and ghosts of whom they received messages in favor of society. All together a new focus on smoking with information one seldom finds.

Link of the month
This issue a website from the United Kingdom, brought together with much care and dedication by pipe lover and collector Tony Pringle. In his researches after the system pipes in metal he brought together an extremely interesting collection of knowledge on pipes within one specialisation. His site is entirely dedicated to all sorts of system pipes completely of partly made from metal. \finding information is possible on brand name as well as on pictures in the site and Pringles descriptions are accurate and offer a valuable source of new information. And for those who have finished reading on this exend site, the links section offers more possibilities for further reading.

Have a look and discover more on: http://www.smokingmetal.co.uk

De Balie and smoking
The ‘debatcentre De Balie’ on Leidseplein in Amsterdam organises on Saturday June 28 a tribute to the cigarette, the symbol of individualism and independence. Under the name of ‘Club Tabac’ dicussions on the themes of smoking and non-smoking are offered. The building houses all sorts of smoke rooms, for non-smokers ironicalle the outdoor terrace is open. The Pijpenkabinet presents a historic introduction in the main discussions and offers a continuous power point presentation with images of smokers and tobacco advertising from the past centuries. As a special act it is possible to smoke a special recipe of seventeenth century tobacco in an original Dutch clay pipe from the same age. An unique possibility to become acquaintance with the ‘droge dronkenschap’ of the first smokers in Holland.

Two special summer-offers
This Summer the Pijpenkabinet museum offers the following discounts:

The quarterly Pijpelijntjes , the first magazine in the world dedicated to pipes with the special focus on clay tobacco pipes is almost sold out. This magazine was published over ten years by the Pijpenkabinet Foundation and deals with various articles on historic pipes. In numerous articles all sorts of aspects on the pipe are treated. Pijpelijntjes is still the best sounce for the history of Blanc-Garin or Gambier, bu also shorter articles on Gouda pipe makers families and their products can be found in this volume. In the back of the volume an extend index can be found with thousands of keywords for quick finding.

The complete magazine is bound in luxourious buckram with gilt lettering on the back. This special edition was produced in fifty copies. The last eight are nog offered and cost € 80 (normal € 120,-). To order send an email to info@pijpenkabinet.nl.

The second offer concerns the magnificent book Merken en merkenrecht van de pijpenmakers in Gouda, the standard work for everybody active in dating and researching historic clay pipes. The magnificent volume by Don Duco, result of over twenty years of archive studies and research of pipe finds, is now offered at a special price for those who visit the museum. Normal price € 55, now discount for € 40 when visiting our museum.

With these offers we hope to stimulate that those who do research do not longer cite from the old, outdated literature. Please note: these offers are valid from July 1 to September 1 2008!

End of this nineth Newsletter
Thank you for your interest and till the next issue !
We are happy to respond to any reactions or questions. Just click on mailto:info@pijpenkabinet .
Or continue on our web site http://www.pijpenkabinet.nl/

Benedict Goes
PR en Publicity Pijpenkabinet

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