Hi Everyone,
Just a quick note to let you know the wait for the book—all 5 pounds of it!—is over. It is now in stock at Smokingpipes.com for those in the US and will be available shortly from Smokingpipes.eu for friends in Europe.
Many thanks to everyone who has supported, nurtured and encouraged the book and blog for the past six years. I know you thought the day would never come. Sometimes neither did we.
We’ll be in Chicago next month for the launch and present “The Making of The Peterson Pipe Book” at the signing. Illustrator and fellow Sherlockian Larry Gosser, who did some of the illustrations for us, will also be there. We’ll do a west coast launch at the Las Vegas show in the fall and present “Peterson’s Traditions Lost and Found.” Come talk Petes with us so we can thank you in person!
Fumare in Pax!
Mark
I wait for my copy!! ???
Kinski, Mario Lubinski at Lubinski.it should have yours in stock by now. Check with him or with your favorite Italian shops.
I have already ordered my copy. but unfortunately the author’s autograph is missing!
Kinski, who is carrying it in Italy? I’ve got a few friends in Europe asking me.
I want a signed copy!
Mark, if anyone deserves a signed copy for patience, it is you, my friend. As we’re both in Texas, if you can’t make the shows, we will make this happen whenever it’s convenient to you.
Order placed!
Now the wait begins for its arrival!
Sweet sweet sweet. I hope this doesn’t sound prideful, but I hope you enjoy it as much as I am. I can’t believe it came out so well.
Dang, it had to go “live” on a non-payday week?. I hope they have plenty.
I hear that about non-payday week. My “annuity” keeps me counting all the nickels and dimes that fall into the sofa. I don’t think you have to worry–the book was produced in a spirit of abundance, and those like you who supported it all this time will certainly find one in their hands.
Hooray! Placing my order now – BUT, I’ll need it signed some point as well.
Will we meet in Chicago or Vegas? If not, we’ll make arrangements.
I just ordered mine. Shipping to Canada was too much for me to bare so I had it shipped to my Dad in Arkansas. I’ll be visiting him this summer so will need to have a little patience, but as we know, good things come to those who wait. Speaking of patience and good things that come with it, I’ve been waiting all these years to fire up my Founders Edition Pipe, knowing it would be christened while cracking open the pages of this amazing labour of love on your and Gary’s part. Thanks to you both for what is… Read more »
Marc, the photos you donated are THE BOMB. I had to put one of them full page where the Coda begins. I’m truly sorry you have to wait, but can’t thank you enough for your enthusiasm and support.
I’m really looking forward to seeing them in print, it’s really an honour and I must thank you guys for including them in the book and my good pal Scott Robert Collins for taking the photos for me.
One year I’d definitely like to make it to the Chicagoland pipe show and if you guys will be there I’d love to get my copy signed as well, that would add an extra layer to the greatness of the whole thing.
Thanks Mark. It’s going to be great seeing them in print.
It really is an honour to have them included in this great tome and I must thank you guys for including it and to my good pal Scott Robert Collins for taking these great photos for me.
One year I hope to make it to the Chicagoland pipe show and if you guys are there I’d love to get my copy signed as well, that would add yet another layer of greatness to this excellent book.
Yes, thank Scott for us, and we’d be delighted to sign the book, whenever, wherever.
Great! I look forward to meeting you both.
I’ll pass along the thanks to Scott as well. Also,I didn’t think the post went through the first time, my apologies for the double content.
Sincere congratulations to you, Mark. This must have seemed almost like giving birth! A long wait, then…it’s finally here! It looks a substantial tome and I know that its contents will be first-class.
Very well done, sir. This has been a long haul for you. I hope that you reap the due rewards.
I shall be looking for smokingpipes.eu to check the availability.
In the meantime, may I wish you a good long rest from bookish things (at least for a while) and a few well-earned pipes in celebration.
Steven
Thanks, Steven! I’m actually working on two new pipe projects right now, but nothing like the scale of scope or interest of the Peterson book. It’s all play, not work, so it’s all good, and hearing that pipemen are enjoying the book will be the best reward I can get.
Hurray !
Ordered mine before I finished reading your post. See you in Chicago !
Excellent, James. Can hardly wait!
Thank you so much for all your work on this Mark. We greatly appreciate it!
And Long Live the XL90 and B30!
Quite welcome, good sir. And “amen” on the XL90 and B30!!
Can you please let me know how I can get a copy of this book with the signature?
Hi Jerry. Let me ask the publisher, Gary Schrier, since I’ve had that request several times already. Would it need to be personalized? If so, I’ll ask him that as well. It’s certainly something we could do at the Chicago show next month.
Jerry, the publisher said the best way to do this is attend either the Chicago pipe show or the West Coast show in Las Vegas this fall. We’ll also be in Dublin over the summer, if you live across the pond. The only other way I can think of is for you to mail your copy to me with return postage, which I’d be happy of course to do for you.
Ditto on the B30 🙂
I think I would go with the B44 over the XL90….by just a smidge though?
Good news Mark… now to figure out how to get an autographed copy here in Canada…
You’re not going to believe how cool your section looks, good sir. I truly wish you could attend the Chicago show or the Las Vegas show–you’ve been such a large part of the book and the blog. But if not, then I think we’ll have to run an auction to pay for postage from North Carolina to me to you. In the US it runs $13 (UPS ground) or $17 (USPS media), or something like that, from Smokingpipes. Five pounds is a lot of book to transport.
Just received a copy. Given your well written and detailed blog posts, my expectations were very high for this book. I’ve only had time to thumb through at this point, but what I’ve seen so far is absolutely extraordinary. This is a MUST HAVE. Congratulations and, most importantly, thank you for this stunning contribution!
Thank you, good sir. Your appreciation is the best payment we could receive!
Thanks Mark unfortunately when Chicago is happening I am in Nepal and India for work and a bit of followup holiday. When the Vegas show is happening I will be in Northern Italy for work…. work just gets in the way of these fun times! 😉 I look forward to seeing it all together.
I can definitely pay the postage to you and then to me as well! Not an issue. Just tell me how and when and I can transfer the payment to you. Thank you.
My new Peterson Pipe History Book has just arrived!
It’s a thick book with lots of pages to enjoy.
I’m looking forward to reading this one!
I got the THE book ordered yesterday, and it’s on its’ way. Is it Christmas in April?
It has felt like Christmas to me, John, for a few weeks now.
Thank you Mark for all of you and your compatriots hard work.
This is the finest book I have had the pleasure to read in a long time. The introduction by Mark Irwin speaks to me and puts into words what I have been feeling about the pipe and its traditions. I cherish this book. The Peterson System is my favorite and to have this colorful, historical reference is a blessing.
Thanks Mark.
Thanks so much, Steve! I will pass along your words to my co-authors, and I’m so glad you like it.
Whoo Hoo!!!
I just received my new book today 🙂
I just had time to slightly peruse it while creasing the pages to save the spine. I use to work in a library and have never forgot this essential step when opening a new book. There is almost nothing worse than having a brand new book with a cracked spine. Thanks for all you hard work, I hope it pays off in spades.
Thank you. Your compliments are good payment, indeed!
I’m not sure if “slightly perusing” something is possible, but it took me a long time to gently fold those pages out while I was reading some of them 🙂
Thank you so much for all the hard work that went into the creation and production of this book. I love all the photos and the design with the written text. T-LIP(The Long Island Pete) fully endorses the book and recommends if you own a Peterson, you have to have this book.
Thanks, T-LIP! We’re really glad you’re finding the book enjoyable.
I just finished the first cursory read-through of this fascinating book. As an amateur student of history, I’m blown away by the extensive research and depths of knowledge necessary to produce such a comprehensive compendium. I have done a little research into historical matters, but most of my research is still scattered in various notebooks and on various scraps of paper. The authors’ efforts to collate and put it all together leave me in awe. I didn’t read it as a Peterson Pipe collector although when I finished, I did take the time to count my Petersons. I came up… Read more »
Thank you, Terry. I forwarded this to both the publisher and Gary Malmberg. It is extremely gratifying to hear that you think the book is doing what we’d hoped it would. And of course, I’m tickled that you loved the first-person narratives, which is also one of my favorite parts.
Mark, what a wonderful book! I got my copy in May, and have been enjoying it ever since: it still sits next to my favorite reading chair. There is just so much in it, and so well organized. A question: there was, in the book, no mention of shape 82S. I have one (a Donegal Rocky) and like it a lot, but had never seen another before today. As I write this, Smokingpipes.com’s Irish Estates page has one from 1976; mine is from 1982. I was going to send you pics of mine, but of course those on the Smokingpipes… Read more »
Hi Rob! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the book. I took a look at my shape charts, and I don’t see the 82S, although it was the 2nd Peterson I ever owned–a $12.50 Kildare iteration, back in about 1980 or so. Little diamond-shank billiard, right? Love to see it in a Donegal Rocky. I didn’t see it on Smokingpipes just now, so I’m hoping you snagged it for your own!
Mark, someone else snagged the one on Smokingpipes, so it looks like I need to send you pics of mine. Just let me know how best to send them; you can email me directly.
Hi Mark,
Your book is even more comprehensive than I realized. On page 328, a reproduced page of the 1980 Peterson & Glass price list (from the Peterson Museum) includes the 82S among the 35 classic shapes available (although the thumbnail image is scarcely recognizable).
I would love to see a revival of the 82 shape. Perhaps with a spigot and a handsomely-colored acrylic stem, it could be a future POY . . . .
Rob, the 82s is a lovely little bent billiard, isn’t it? The only thing close is the XL-sized SH Milverton (I think). The 82s would look fantastic in the Deluxe Classics Natural, I think!
Hi Mark.
Reading your book I noticed something that could be quite unpleasant: you used some photographs of Al Pascià but they were not mentioned at all.
I think it’s pretty serious, a heavy oversight.
Hi Kinski, yes, they were quite upset about it back in 2019. It was an accidental oversight and has been apologized for & corrected in the acknowledgements for the 2nd printing. As you can see in the Acknowledgements and Thanks, I was actually amazingly thorough. For their part, AlPascia dropped K&P from their sales (even though I’m just an old retired guy and not affiliated in any way with K&P). I thought that was perhaps a bit harsh, especially considering they didn’t help at all when I asked for help with the photos–just said, “Well, if those low-rez photos we… Read more »
The Petersons are on sale on Al Pascià.
And anyway, I got the news that there would be no second edition. The fact remains that it is a pity to have a book with such an error in the house. I am Italian and therefore seeing a historic shop like the Milanese one without a mention left me quite perplexed.
I apologize if I took the liberty of saying what I think.
Kinski, I just saw this comment when I was looking for another email. My sincere apologies for not writing you before now. The book in paperback is actually now out. Alpascia is mistaken–there IS a second printing. It is now available from Smokingpipes.com. and will be available at Smokingpipes.Eu in a few weeks. I did correct the mistake concerning AlPascia. I apologized to them directly when the book came out, but I hope you’ll at least pardon me when I say that they were very unhelpful in work on this project. I needed photos for the Mario Lubinski pipes and… Read more »
I’m not an employee of Al Pascià so I don’t know certain dynamics and they don’t have to interest me. I just noticed this detail and took the liberty of asking. If the Petersons have not been in their catalog anymore it is because Peterson’s quality has waned. Unfortunately in Italy all the sellers have found it. It is evident and undeniable.
I say all this with great regret because if you have had the opportunity to follow my blog you know that I am a huge fan of the Irish brand.
Nicola, I think I will have to disagree with you on the quality of K&P, certainly since Laudisi has taken over leadership of the company. In-house blasting, rustication, stain standardization, bowl coatings, even drilling–it’s all just much better than 2017. Yes, I do so enjoy your blog! But take a look at some of the new work the company has been doing. The POY 2021 / 4AB is absolutely incredible from any point of view.
Having a sandblaster at home is not synonymous with “knowing how to use it”.
The blasting of the current Petersons is rather poor. Even a blind man would notice. ?
The rustication is awful.
The waterglass is thick, sticky and often crumbles in smoke.
Mouthpieces with acrylic P-Lip scream scandal. They are big and obscene.
I guarantee you that the main sellers in Italy are not happy with the brand.
I’m sorry, I loved this brand. ?
I am sorry you have a different experience than what I have had. I have over 150 Peterson’s, some old, mostly new. The rustication work has been incredible the past few years, and the sandblasting on my barley spigots, pipe smokers of ireland pipes, and some of my POTY pipes —i would have paid more for easily. I am biased, I will most likely only add Peterson’s to my collection because of the unicorn status of some pipes. The limited editions last year, and the new sandblast systems spigot will surely do well in the US and international.
A shot in the dark, but does anyone know where I might be able to source a copy? I had ordered the last one in stock from Bollito Pipe at the end of October but DHL stated they lost my package, was really looking forward to it 🙁
The new paperback is already available at Vermont Freehand and will be at Smokingpipes.com in the next 10-14 days, maybe sooner!
Oh wow, great timing! Was there a post about it on here with details on the new version/differences from the original hardback? Or is it just a paperback version? Thank you Mark and cheers, Happy New Year!
You can find it under the BOOKS tab at the top, Bus. It is the second printing. Cover slightly different (not much), including the “K” hallmark on the back for 2021. Otherwise–same book! Happy New Year to you, good sir.
The book arrived safe from Vermont Freehand, thank you for the heads-up on that… no more searching! This is a fantastic project, only thumbed through so far but good lord- so much detail and the design really is top notch. Well done to all involved in it. Surprisingly, a few photos caught my eye right away on pages 144-145… Big trip down nostalgia lane, I had seen a couple of those images before- dusted off my copy of Pipes and Tobaccos magazine from Winter 1999, the cover story was “Irish Smoke” by Patrick Crowe (pages 26-31). That was the piece… Read more »
Thanks, Bus! Glad you’re enjoying it. Yes, Patrick Crowe is a very talented gentleman and was so gracious in allowing me to use those photos. They added immeasurably to the narrative at that point. This is the whole sequence, aside from the Aran shot at the end of the book where the dog is smoking a pipe and the man is leaning against the wall…
Kinski, I think that maybe the skill with the sandblaster is ok, the problem is that they are trying to use “uh-hem” some pretty, shall we say, sub-standard stummels with huge divots to mask. When they have a decent piece of briar, the blasts come out excellently. I hate to say it Mark, but I’m with Kinski on the quality standards recently. I did not have as many issues with my new Petersons from 2013~2019. It’s definitely hit-or-miss, but recently my “luck” has been miss. The Barley Spigot I snagged was a nightmare for a “high grade”. I probably would… Read more »