Skillet Fork Pipe Museum

05/22/2026

I've been very excited to take this picture. I wonder when the last time these models would have all been in the same place at the same time. When I say that most manufacturers made similar models, this is what im talking about! All of these pipes would have been made in the 30s-40s. From left to right
Buescher's, model unknown
Missouri Meerschaum Camp style with diamond shank
Missouri Meerschaum "Champ"
Phoenix American Pipe Works "Poker"
H&B, part of the Irvin S Cobb Bell-Aire series
National Cob Pipe Works "Princeton'
Union Pipe Company "Champion"

05/20/2026

Its been a great few weeks for rare "Champ' style cobs. Here is a National Cob Pipe Works " Princeton". Ive seen these is catalogs but this is the first physical one ive seen. Interesting (to me anyway) that it doesn't have the bakelite stem i would have expected. National was out of business by 1938 or 39, right in the era of Bakelite. It does help shed some light, however, on how early some plastics were in use.

05/18/2026

Other than being the son of H. Tibbe, and titan in the cob world himself, Anton Tibbe was also first to bring, electricity, phones, and plumbing to Washington Missouri. The Missouri Meerschaum Company tobaccos Draw Down, Illuminare and Party Line celebrate this (all are excellent btw). This is the first document we have seen from his electric company, one of them anyway, I think there were 3. From what we can tell, Anton kept selling his companies only to use the money to open an improved one, to out compete what he sold.

05/16/2026

Here is another neat piece of history. Although it is dated 1912, this letterhead dates back to as early as 1878. The company changed it's name to H. Tibbe, Son & Co. in 1878, and then to H. Tibbe & Som Mfg Co in 1885, so this letterhead was printed in that 7 year window. I guess they had a bunch of it to still be using it in 1912! LOVE the artwork!

05/15/2026

05/15/2026

I just unpacked some amazing, old pipe documents, which I'll share over the next few days. First is this incredible piece from Detmold Pipe Works. In 1907, Missouri Meerschaum Company officially adopted their current name and merged with a local competitor, Detmold. This document is dated 1909, a few years later. The art on the letterhead is exceptional! MM carried the Detmold line, or at least the name, into the 30's. After that they switched names and continued to use the George Washington label.

05/12/2026

Buescher's started with cobs in 1939, pretty late to the game. That was also the era of the bakelite stem. This leads me to believe this is an early example of their work. While every cob manufacturer has a version of this shape, I was unaware Buescher's made one until now. They opted for a wood shank, but the butterscotch bakelite is amazing!

05/11/2026

As promised, here is the second Kaywoodie/Missouri Meerschaum Company collaboration. Behold, the Red Root! This killer cob has a volcano bowl with a red finish. It pairs beautifully with it's acrylic stem. The tag is super cool! I've also pictured it next to its older brother, the Red Rocket. It was the collaboration that came out for the MM 155th anniversary. They make quite a handsome pair!

05/09/2026

Nothing makes me as angry as this briar pipe I'm madly in love with. I picked up this incredible bing at the Chicago show. Its a collaboration between Kaywoodie and the Missouri Meerschaum Company celebrating the 175th birthday of Kaywoodie. I made Nathan Davis hand pick mine. It smokes PHENOMENALLY......which makes me furious. A few things to note....1) I am a die hard cob guy. 2) due to the crossed cobs MM logo, I am considering this a cob pipe. No more questions.

05/07/2026

Our good friend Keith Carr gifted us this little beauty at the Chicago show. I love the dark, turned shank and bone bit. The National squirrel is always a favorite! Thanks again Keith!