POY Chairman Rick Willoughby has done it again. Here's what Rick has to say:
This year's POY concludes a duo of Greek carvers' takes on some classic shapes. Michail's wonderful army mount prince and now Chris Asteriou's chunky "Author".
What can I say... I've got a chubby. You should get one, too. (I meant a chubby pipe! I'm embarrassed for where your mind went.)
This year's Pipe of the Year is a beautiful sandblasted Author. My example is about a group 3 and we have another prototype in a larger group 4+ size. Yours can be larger still, if that's your preference.
This is my first Asteriou pipe. I've heard great things about how they smoke and I've seen his great execution of other classic pipe shapes. (Ask Adam to show you his beautiful Asteriou Montreal.)
I'm all about trying to bring a great value to our club members. This doesn't always translate to inexpensive, however. If you've ever wondered what could make a pipe worth over five hundred dollars, here's your chance to find out. I would much rather own one of these than any dozens of lesser pipes. I stake my pipe reputation on it. This pipe will make you happy that you've purchased it!
A great pipe has quality briar. Check. A friendly shape. Check. Good engineering (I have to laugh... it's just two intersecting holes, right?) Check. Great execution. Check, please!
This year's POY has all of the qualities I look for that make a pipe worthy of representing the great Seattle Pipe Club. Please don't miss this opportunity to own one of these. You won't be disappointed!
--Rick
(photo courtesy of Neill Archer Roan, used with permission)
MORE About Chris Asteriou - excerpted from SmokingPipes.com....
"Chris Asteriou is a talented pipemaker living in Greece, where he is among the few carvers expanding his influence beyond his borders. Aesthetically speaking, his work is a marvel of detail. With an Industrial Design and Architecture background, he knows what it takes to think critically about attention to detail and overall quality. Though a self-taught pipe maker, Chris is certainly a star.
His inspiration is derived from old English classic shapes, from a time when all of the operating houses had strict standards for quality and overall appeal. Functionality, proportion, and craftsmanship are all important qualities if one wishes to become successful, and Chris Asteriou has an inherent understanding of that dynamic. Handcut stems, complete with turned tenons instead of inserted delrin, demonstrate his appreciation for old-style pipemaking. Keeping his pieces clean and free from distracting accents, his offerings will undoubtedly be admired for their quality far into the future."
Order deadline July 31, 2019. Pipes MUST be prepaid and will be delivered in early Autumn. Want to order your new Asteriou SPC POY? Just click the BUY NOW button on this page and Presto!
The Asteriou Author:
- Sandblast
- deep brown with red highlights
- your choice of size from Group 2 to ODA
- black ebonite bit
- Special SPC 2019 stamping
- Leather bag stamped Seattle Pipe Club by Claudio Albieri
Dimensions are approximately:
Group 3
Length 4-1/2"
Height 1-1/2"
Bowl diameter 11/16"
Bowl depth 1-3/8"
Weight 47-1/2 gm
Group 5
Length 4-3/4"
Height 1-5/8"
Bowl diameter 13/16"
Bowl depth 1-7/16"
Weight 60-1/2 gm
The pipe in the photo is the prototype Group 3 and Group 5. Finished pipes will be as similar as possible but remember they are handmade and there will be slight but insignificant differences.
Member Price $475 ($525 retail)
Order deadline July 31, 2019
NOTE: SHIPPING IS NOT INCLUDED AND IN MOST CASES WE WILL NOT SHIP. ALL SPC MEMBER PIPES MUST BE PICKED UP AT CLUB MEETINGS.
IMPORTANT ORDERING INFORMATION: Click the BUY NOW or Order button,