36
TOBACCO BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL
JULY/AUGUST 2014
I
just returned from my induction
into the Confrerie des Maitres
Pipiers—that is, a Fellowship of
Pipe Masters—and it was a wonderful
event. I felt quite honored and privileged
to be there.
The Saint Claude Fellowship of
Pipe Masters was created in 1966 by
Edgar Faure, who wished to develop a
guild of men proud of their art, namely
pipe making. Since then, the guild has
developed into a conference of pipe
smokers and pipe makers who share a
great passion for pipes and pipe smoking.
The conference is held in the Pipe and
Diamond Museum in Saint Claude,
France, which displays many artifacts
that illustrate the proud tradition of
pipe making in this tiny village. It also
showcases 1,300 pipes and plaques from
members who have been inducted into
the guild throughout the years. Among
the notable names I saw on those plaques
were Herman Lane, Karl Kolpin, and my
father, Peter Stokkebye.
On the evening of the event, we
prospective new members (five men and
three women), were led to a massive
oak door where, after three knocks, we
were allowed into the pipe hall and
introduced to 100 or so members and
non-members. We were each given a
pipe from the guild. Only if you answer
their questions correctly are you allowed
to keep the pipe. (I got to keep mine,
and was subsequently admitted to the
fellowship.)
After the official ceremony, all parties
involved were treated to a delightful
French dinner at a local restaurant set
in a former pipe factory and named,
appropriately, La Bruyere.
The following day,we were invited to an
exceptional lunch at Antoine Grenard’s
(of Chacom pipes) mother’s house with
a splendid view of the Jura Mountains.
I think that I could easily get used to
the French food culture: champagne
for lunch, and meals always including
incredibly tasty cheeses and breads.
For me it was not only a humbling
experience, but also very personal due to
meetingseveralpipemakerswhoIremember
fromyears past whenmy father was involved
in pipes from France.He brought the whole
family to visit Saint Claude one year to
experience this pipe mecca for the first time,
and this chance of revisiting brought back
many dear memories.
I hope that the Confrerie des Mai
tres Pipiers continues for many years
to come.
TBI
Brotherhood
of the
Pipe
A first-hand account of a noble tradition.
By Erik Stokkebye
