History of the Calabash

(briarbooks.com) The History of the Calabash Pipe is a fascinating story of one of the least understood pipes that ever graced the pipe racks of tobacco smokers. Author Gary B. Schrier uncovers the origins of the eccentric-gourd pipe made famous by Edwardian-era British pipe manufactories and the Sherlock Holmes character.
With this second edition, every aspect of this absolute pipeman's requisite is covered in-depth, including the discovery, gourd agriculture, design evolution, materials, manufacture--past and present, commercial-trade channels, the makers, brand identification with an expanded English-hallmark guide, insight into the Sherlock Holmes connexion along with a colorful pastiche, the photographic profiles of three pipe collections from well-know figures in the hobby, famous admirers, a section of questions and answers, along with a scholarly index--a must-read for every pipe collector and smoker ane a long-awaited update to the knowledge base of Pipedom. Link