There are a number of very well-known pipe collectors: Rick Newcombe, Neill Archer Roan, Greg Pease, and more. These collectors are respected for their keen eyes, writing, and devotion to the hobby. I have no intention of disparaging any of these men (in fact, I admire them all), but I want to mention that these are far from the only impressive collectors out there that should be heeded.

Many of you have heard me mention Dustin Babitzke many times. Not only is he one of my closet friends, but he is one of the most passionate, intelligent, and impressive pipe collectors in the world, in my opinion. Aside from having possibly the largest, and certainly most impressive, blowfish collection in the world, Dustin has a nearly omniscient perception of pipes and is a great photographer.

Recently, Dustin put his passion into action and created The Briar Portrait Gallery. While the website is new, the project has been in the works for some time.

“The Briar Portrait Gallery was founded by Dustin “Big D” Babitzke in 2012 to help promote the beauty and artistic expression that has emerged from the modern pipe making movement.   Starting with the release of his “Pipe Field Guide: Blowfish Edition” pamphlet at the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club Show in May of 2012, Dustin has been working with Pipe Makers and Pipe Clubs from around the world to showcase the talent and skill currently displayed by today’s artisans.  The company’s main goal is to show the world that our hobby is not just about a “quick nicotine hit” but about a fine appreciation of the nuances of materials, craftsmanship, and true woodworking mastery that goes into the creation of a pipe.”

Last year at the Chicago Pipe Show, Dustin had a table where he sold some prints he had done of his pipes. The price was more than reasonable and the prints themselves were gorgeous. I could not resist but take home one of each piece and they are now the center-piece of my office / pipe-room.

So, what exactly is the idea of The Briar Portrait Gallery? Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I think pipes are beautiful (or can be). Now, I have spent countless hours sifting through the archives of Quality Briar and other websites looking at some drool-inducing photos of fantastic pipes. Every now and then, however, I want a bit more of an artistic twist. That’s where Dustin’s website comes in.

The photos of pipes that Dustin features are not your everyday photos, but are stylized to emphasize their beauty. Let me acknowledge: these photos do not give the “pure” depiction of the pipe’s grain and appearance, since most of the photos have been made to look almost like paintings. If you want a perfect example, click on the picture of the Geiger Yggdrasil Blowfish immediately above and enlarge it. You’ll notice that the grain is wavy in a way that briar simply doesn’t grow. But if you want to see the pure, unaltered photo, Dustin is working on adding an option where you can also view the original. If you want to see art that features pipes, you should bookmark, favorite, create an alter to The Briar Portrait Gallery.

I think that the goals of BPG are quite noble. After all, a simple picture of a cigar or of a cigarette, no matter how stylized, is nothing compared to the beauty of a pipe. The next time someone questions you when you say that a particular pipe is lovely or artistic, when they get that flabbergasted look, as if to say, “How can you really think that?”, just click on over to Dustin’s site and watch the disbelife fade and appreciation appear.

Since these pieces truly are art, Dustin didn’t just stop at putting the photos online. No, no! You can actually purchase the majority of these photos and let them bring some style to your home, office, garage, or anywhere you want.

I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t wait long after I saw the prints that Dustin already has available on The Briar Portrait Gallery. So, go! Don’t wait! Show that you’re not only a pipe smoker, but a pipe smoker with class. Visit www.briarportraitgallery.com . Thank me later.