The six men here honored have all made contributions to the pipe and tobacco world, but in very different ways. Tony Dempsey, Dayton Matlock, James Galway, Julius Vez, Sixten Iversson, and Sam Learned, have during recent times advanced pipes and pipe smoking, added to the public knowledge about the hobby, and been living "mileposts." Tony Dempsey, before his death a short time ago, was a chief architect of Peterson quality. Dayton Matlock, creator of Pipes & Tobaccos Magazine has enriched all our lives with that wonderful periodical. James Galway, world-renowned flutist, carries his pipes wherever he travels,showing the world he is a pipe smoker and proud of it. Julius Vez, pipe maker and marvelous story-teller, brings perfection to the art of pipe making. Sixten Iversson, in retirement during the 1990's, but still influential, remains the living symbol of craftsmanship, imaginative design, and integrity in his profession. Sam Learned, still a practising attorney, disproves the old saw that a man cannot serve two masters. Sam's increasing skill and inventiveness proves that love and dedication, combined with an innate dexterity, makes for great pipe crafting. By himself, and as a symbol to all our great American pipe makers, continues to show the world that here, in the good old USA, we know how to make quality pipes. RMH.
Ser Jacopo is more in vogue today, Mastro de Paja more imaginative in design, Castello more collectable, yet, year in, year out, Savinelli remains the most reliable and affordable of all Italien pipes. For its consistant quality and always providing a good pipe at a good price, we choose the Savinelli Company as Distinguished Pipe Maker. The "Year 2000" Series was typical of Savinelli's ability to produce an affordable collectable pipe in a variety of finishes, creating a fine, matched set which includes a two-tone, all sandblast, sandblast/smooth combo, natural, and walnut. Around for well over a century, and beginning as a modest tobacco shop, Savinelli has been at the forfront of providing a wide spectrum of pipes to the pipe smoking community, all the way from beautiful, one-of-a-kind masterpieces, to economical pieces within reach of almost any budget. RMH.