The 39THIRTY New Era Caps Just Arrived
see end of post for more information
As I write in The X Pipe, “A pipe show . . . is one of the few places in the world where men can soberly and without rancor engage in true dialogue. With nothing more than a common passion for pipes and tobaccos, pipemen are able to set aside religion, politics and money differences and simply listen for understanding. They will be the first to tell you they are more aligned by their passion for pipes than divided by their faith, party or wealth.* And I can think of few people I’d rather meet at a pipe show than our own Lee Skiver “the Peterson piper.” So I was delighted when Lee reached out that he’d be attending the CORPS show in Richmond September 14th and 15th and agreed to be our Peterson ambassador, hosting a Pete Geek Meet.
Of course you’ll recognize Linwood Hines, founder of the show and Doctor of Pipes (Chicago Pipe Show), whom I ran into almost literally upon entering the event. He also introduced me to a gentleman named Roy, who is a former member of CORPS that flew-in from California for the show and Sutliff’s anniversary party the evening before.
Mr. Dwight Davis, PG, would have joined us for lunch, but he had to man his table. He’s seen here holding a tin of the CORPS 40th anniversary tobacco–an amazing concoction of black virginia flakes on one side, red virginia on the other.
Seen at the lunch table (from top left), C. Patrick “Ozzy” Osborn, Lee Skiver, Tom Dempsey and Mike Remington; Tom and Mike are both members of the Fredericksburg Pipe Smokers Society. I was the odd ‘PG’ out, as all three of these gentlemen are Marine Corps veterans.
The tractor museum also houses a small, but substantial collection of tobacciana, donated and curated by a gentleman (in orange shirt) named “Bones.” He’s a multi-generational tobacco farmer and the salt of the Earth. He even showed us a plug of tobacco that he had pressed on a whim the night before. Unfortunately, we weren’t offered samples…
He also revealed the size of the tobacco leaves they grow on their farm 35 miles west of Petersburg–huge leaves that are apparently not all that useful at that size. That’s Tom holding said leaf.
A couple shots of interesting tobacciana; tin plug label that shares a name with common American undergarments (yes, they are one in the same, although I can’t recall the details of the backstory) and a lovely advertisement for Edgeworth (sliced plug and ready rubbed).
King Merendino, PG was selling some wares and shared a lovely story of his visit the Peterson factory when under Tom Palmer’s management. King was acquainted with the Palmers and when he visited there were a number of lattice cut meerschaum bowls lying around. Upon questioning their purpose, the Palmers offered to make King his own custom lattice cut meerschaum Pete, which he gladly accepted.
Paige Simms, PG was also manning his table and didn’t catch wind of the Pete luncheon, but he’s pictured here with his PPN 2022. You’ll see his has an acrylic saddle bit, which he insisted was original to the pipe.
This was my first pipe show, and lots of fun. I staved off any self-induced pressure to come away with anything too grand (snagged a couple McClelland tins and some restoration material from Mark Hoover).
Sincerely,
Lee Skiver, CPG, “the Peterson Piper.”
*See Kay Lindahl, The Sacred Art of Listening (Skylight Paths, 2010, p. 52).
The 39THIRTY NEW ERA CAPS–
These just arrived and I thought you’d like to take a look. Gigi and I think they’re awesome, but of course we designed them. Gigi says there are several of the Green/Orange caps still available, and maybe two or three of the black ones. She’ll know more after sending out invoices later this week. If you’re interested and didn’t order yet, send your size and an email to petegeek1896@gmail.com.
Lee,
Thank you for the write up. Mark the caps looks great, I can’t wait to get mine!
Lance Dahl
You’re most welcome Lance!
I was honored to represent PPN, the official blog of Pete Geeks everywhere, and lovely to meet all the PGs in Richmond.
Thanks Mark for enlisting me!
Can’t wait to get my new cap too!
Nice little pipe show walk through. Thanks guys.
When I grew my first batch of tobacco back in 2013, the lower leaves on my Greenwood plants were the size of that monster leaf that Tom is holding…maybe even bigger. Sadly, it didn’t quite ripen that year up here (Montana). I wish I would have saved one and sprayed it with Polyurethane like I did with one of my 2016 Burley? Virginia? leaves. Oh well, hind sight is 20/20.
Looks like a great show, thanks for sharing! I to went to my first pipe show this year, Capitaland pipe show up here in NY. What a great time it was being around all the weirdos like myself that are into pipes. The ball caps look great Mark. PS anybody get any spy shots of our PPN POY in production? I love seeing shots from the factory!
Thank you for another nice Sunday read. Smoking my PPN with some Dempsey Blend I mixed a month ago and it turned out very good.Maybe next time I press a cake, because Erinmore was moist.
Another great post so much great info here Thanks for all your hard work Mark.Those caps look fantastic can’t wait to receive my caps
Wow, wish I could have traveled back up North to attend this show, the first I’ve missed in a long time. These posts always remind me how small the pipe world is. I know King from when he worked at the JB Hayes shop in Virginia and I bought a prize GBD 9242 from Paige at a NYC show.
I remember dear friend. Great hearing from you
Wonderful article as usual
It was an awesome Show. The CORPS Shows are back!
I am usually anticipating the Sunday release of PPN, and while this weeks installment was excellent, I’m now salivating over these lids! Very exciting! Sláinte!
Great story, Lee. It really sounds like a wonderful show. Mark, those hats look great! The orange and green one reminds me of the Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball team in Greensboro, NC. Speaking of pipe shows, are going to the Muletown Pipe Show in March? If you need an ambassador, I’d gladly throw my hat in the ring. It’s very near where I grew up and I’m excited that I’ll finally be able to attend this time around.
These shows look great – I’ll have to attend one someday. That framed Edgeworth poster is kinda creepy – I’m glad at least the one hand is showing.
Lee, Great article on the CORPS 40th Anniversary Show. I was at the show Saturday morning but was only able to stay for about an hour. I saw Linwood Hines at the front door, but he looked way too busy directing folks to interrupt. Also, I spoke with Paige Simms about his 2022 PPN Peterson and was taken back with the saddle stem myself. Didn’t know if you paid attention to the serial number, but it was pipe #1. I actually went to the show looking for NOS Peterson’s, but I came away with a unsmoked Scotti stamped Castello from… Read more »
Yup, it was #1, LOL. That pipe went from me to Paige and I was so glad he undertook its companioning. The story of the saddle stem is one best told over a pint, but there you have it: Paige & the PPN #1, Saddle. LOL.
The blast on PPN #1 was prettier in hand than in the photographs. Also, that stain should be part of the regular production process.
Whoo hoo! I will be styling now with my new cap. 😀