Baldo Baldi #12151362
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This pipe has terrific straight grain all around, but so do dozens
of other Baldo pipes I have. If I put them all on the site, their
numbers would diminish the perceived worth (and not just in
monetary terms) of each single one, so I won't do that. Nor do I
remember why I singled this piece out. In fact, I don't think I did
single it out; I think it was just there, and it's the last pipe in the
box and I need the empty box in which to place pipes for the
next shoot. It is from such haphazard happenstance that
history (or pipe web sites...whichever you deem more
noteworthy) is made. But upon picking up this pipe, it's beauty,
or maybe just it's uniqueness, struck me as his pipes hadn't
previously. Of course, I appreciated them, but Baldo, as a pipe
maker, hadn't made a particularly deep impression. And,
frankly, I've scorned Italian pipes before, and may again.
Unfairly, it can be said, but I'm just human and have my
personal prejudices like everybody else. (Now, before I go one
word further, do not, under any circumstances even begin to
believe that I am prejudiced against Italians, because you would
be wrong. In fact, if I didn't know better, I would think that I was
Italian and be thrilled about it. Outside of the U.S., there is no
place on earth that I would rather be, with the possible
exception of Denmark, and at this point, it is a neck and neck
race, and the whole discussion reflects nothing more than
feelings based on too little information. Fortunately, this is my
little corner of the universe, and it's ok with me if I'm the only
one who cares what I think. That's as it should be.)
A popular pipe at the moment is a stubby Billiard made by
Radice, and I don't doubt it's a fine pipe because the Radice
brothers are exceedintly professional and, having been guided
by their father, make attractive, good smoking reliable pipes. I
think that for the money, there is little question about their fine
quality. But this is a stubbby Billiard, too, and it is exuding a lot
of undefinable character. In looking at it, I also feel led to the
character exhibited by the other Baldo pipes I now own. This
whole experience (and I don't mean to exaggerate it...we are
only talking about pipes here...not epiphanies or insight into
some existential verity...I don't even know what that means) has
me wondering about the place of Baldo and his pipes down the
road in the hierarchy of pipes and pipe makers. As some
(many?) suspect, he is among the greats. In this regard, I
would defer to Tarek Manadily, whom I regard as an
exceedingly knowledgeable pipe aficionado; far more astute
about the craft of pipe making and the artistry of pipes than I.
Tarek once provided a lecture on Baldo's hand making
technique that almost opened my eyes, if I had wanted them
opened, which I didn't at the time. Maybe he'll do an article on
Baldo for the NASPC newsletter, if he hasn't already. If
nothing else, it is certainly a most melifluous name: Baldo Baldi.
New. Price: $950
5.3" long, bowl 2.2" high. Weight: 2 1/8 oz., 61 grams.
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