On August 4, 2011, we had a meeting of the Golden Gate Pipe Club, capably hosted as always by Brian and Susan Telford.

Susan Telford
I really enjoy seeing a lady smoking a pipe.

Brian Telford, who, with his father and brothers,
has been in the pipe business for over forty years.

Our famous pipe smoker of the month was Andrés Torres Segovia, the great Spanish classical guitarist who lived from 1893 to 1987. He popularised many classical compositions, created original transcriptions of Bach for the guitar and was eventually knighted by the King of Spain.

Andrés Torres Segovia
From the cover of his album "Segovia"

As far as Dr. Miller, our pipe historian, can determine, Segovia’s favourite, perhaps only pipes and tobacco, were Dunhill and Prince Albert.

The best quotation from him is: 
“I've had three wives and three guitars. I still play the guitars.”

You may view Dr. Miller’s full report here.

Morris, one of our club members, is a professional musician who trained in classical guitar at university. While he now plays mainly jazz, his solid grounding in the classics stands him in good stead. After Dr Miller’s presentation, Morris regaled us with a few pieces made popular by Segovia; namely Joaquín Turina’s “Garrotin” and Manuel Ponce’s “Preludes”. 

Morris tocando la guitara

After the all-too-brief concert, a tidal wave of pipes and tobaccos flowed over the table, almost faster than I could record them.

The Telfords, recently returned from the Las Vegas show, displayed several military Castellos with silver bands and beautiful grain. They also acquired at the show some Viprati bulldogs.

One of Brian's earliest clients, of nearly 40 years standing, recently passed away, and Brian bought all the estate pipes, most of which were acquired at Telford's over the decades. He passed those around the table and we were impressed. 

Brian also let us admire some recently purchased Mastro Beraldis and Tim West church wardens. They were gorgeous. 

The Telfords generously shared some tins of McClelland Syrian Super Balkan, GLP Chelsea Morning and Cairo, Dunhill Early Morning Pipe and 965, Mac Baren H &H Vinyage Syrian, Wessex Gold Standard and Stanwell Melange. The Cairo was fabulous.

John is a leather worker, horseman and crack pistol shooter.

Here is a Meerschaum colouring bowl in action.

Brian Telford enjoying a ukelele.

As we are in California, we were of course partaking of the fruit of the vine. One member is friendly with an old classmate who owns the Ficklin Vineyards. He kindly provided us with a delicious 2003 vintage port.

Not quite as exalted but certainly entertaining were some bottles of this Cabernet Sauvignon.

This is what happens when you spend
your whole paycheck on pipes.

All in all, a superb evening.