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Post by smellthehatfirst on Oct 6, 2018 11:03:45 GMT -5
I recently came into possession of a few Custombilts. Aesthetics aside, I'd been interested for sentimental reasons, since the early ones were made in my hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. Now that I've been trolling eBay for Custombilts, I want more information about the history.
Bill Unger once self-published the definitive history of Custombilt, The Custom-Bilt Pipe Story. Unfortunately, with Unger's death, it appears no one is publishing the book. It's not available for sale anywhere.
Does anyone know where to find a copy, whether paper or electronic? Apparently Unger once sold a PDF directly from his web-site, but that is not widely available, either.
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Post by Quintsrevenge on Oct 6, 2018 11:17:16 GMT -5
I recently came into possession of a few Custombilts. Aesthetics aside, I'd been interested for sentimental reasons, since the early ones were made in my hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. Now that I've been trolling eBay for Custombilts, I want more information about the history.
Bill Unger once self-published the definitive history of Custombilt, The Custom-Bilt Pipe Story. Unfortunately, with Unger's death, it appears no one is publishing the book. It's not available for sale anywhere.
Does anyone know where to find a copy, whether paper or electronic? Apparently Unger once sold a PDF directly from his web-site, but that is not widely available, either.
Only thing I can find - www.tapatalk.com/groups/kaywoodie/know-where-to-get-bill-unger-s-custom-bilt-t666.html
you probably already found that though... good luck
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Post by smellthehatfirst on Oct 6, 2018 11:41:36 GMT -5
I recently came into possession of a few Custombilts. Aesthetics aside, I'd been interested for sentimental reasons, since the early ones were made in my hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. Now that I've been trolling eBay for Custombilts, I want more information about the history. Bill Unger once self-published the definitive history of Custombilt, The Custom-Bilt Pipe Story. Unfortunately, with Unger's death, it appears no one is publishing the book. It's not available for sale anywhere.
Does anyone know where to find a copy, whether paper or electronic? Apparently Unger once sold a PDF directly from his web-site, but that is not widely available, either.
Only thing I can find - www.tapatalk.com/groups/kaywoodie/know-where-to-get-bill-unger-s-custom-bilt-t666.html
you probably already found that though... good luck
I actually did not find that. So I emailed that address too. We'll see if I get a response this week. |
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Post by daveinlax on Oct 6, 2018 14:21:09 GMT -5
Email someone at NASPC I thought they had a stack of the books at the show but I’m not positive about it. I have a copy and it’s a scholarly book of research and not a page turner. I see the book for sale at shows in a wide price range.  |
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Post by Legend Lover on Oct 6, 2018 15:03:24 GMT -5
I recently came into possession of a few Custombilts. Aesthetics aside, I'd been interested for sentimental reasons, since the early ones were made in my hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. Now that I've been trolling eBay for Custombilts, I want more information about the history.
Bill Unger once self-published the definitive history of Custombilt, The Custom-Bilt Pipe Story. Unfortunately, with Unger's death, it appears no one is publishing the book. It's not available for sale anywhere.
Does anyone know where to find a copy, whether paper or electronic? Apparently Unger once sold a PDF directly from his web-site, but that is not widely available, either.
Only thing I can find - www.tapatalk.com/groups/kaywoodie/know-where-to-get-bill-unger-s-custom-bilt-t666.html
you probably already found that though... good luck
Nice investigative work. |
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Post by clintonvilleleather on Oct 17, 2018 17:36:55 GMT -5
Might see if you can get a hold of Pam through Barclay Cigar in the telephone directory.
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Post by smellthehatfirst on Oct 17, 2018 19:40:31 GMT -5
Email someone at NASPC I thought they had a stack of the books at the show but I’m not positive about it. I have a copy and it’s a scholarly book of research and not a page turner. I see the book for sale at shows in a wide price range. I emailed one address and got no response. I guess I’ll try another address. |
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Post by smellthehatfirst on Oct 17, 2018 19:42:13 GMT -5
Might see if you can get a hold of Pam through Barclay Cigar in the telephone directory. Who is Pam? |
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Post by clintonvilleleather on Oct 17, 2018 20:26:06 GMT -5
Might see if you can get a hold of Pam through Barclay Cigar in the telephone directory. Who is Pam? His wife. |
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Post by smellthehatfirst on Oct 17, 2018 20:43:43 GMT -5
That’s a promising lead! Thank you. |
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Post by clintonvilleleather on Oct 17, 2018 22:59:20 GMT -5
That’s a promising lead! I think their house was on Franklin if she isnt at the cigar shop anymore. Is John running the pipe club now? He would probably know as well. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Oct 18, 2018 4:38:01 GMT -5
Might see if you can get a hold of Pam through Barclay Cigar in the telephone directory. Who is Pam? That reminds me of an episode of Community... Go to 1:16 It works better when you watch it... Pierce: Check your email. Shirley: I'll mark you as spam. Pierce: Who the hell is Pam? |
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Screaming Jazz
Junior Member
Enjoying a peaceful night
Posts: 247
Favorite Pipe: Tsuge Sandblasted Bent Billiard
Favorite Tobacco: HH Vintage Syrian
Location:
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Post by Screaming Jazz on Oct 25, 2018 13:21:13 GMT -5
That reminds me of an episode of Community... Go to 1:16 It works better when you watch it... Pierce: Check your email. Shirley: I'll mark you as spam. Pierce: Who the hell is Pam? My favorite TV show of all time. Good to see another fan on the internet. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Oct 25, 2018 18:06:33 GMT -5
That reminds me of an episode of Community... Go to 1:16 It works better when you watch it... Pierce: Check your email. Shirley: I'll mark you as spam. Pierce: Who the hell is Pam? My favorite TV show of all time. Good to see another fan on the internet. I'm sorry it's over. I've just watched it through again. Quality stuff. |
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Post by addamsruspipe on Oct 25, 2018 19:15:08 GMT -5
I would like to find a copy of that as well. I have been collecting some of the end of the CustomBilt era pipes as well and would like to know more about them. Will have to keep an eye on this.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2018 22:16:49 GMT -5
It was available on Amazon recently. Perhaps it will be again. www.amazon.com/Custom-Bilt-Pipe-Story-William-Unger/dp/B004FA49MGand this from another search. Book Details History of Custom-Bilt Pipes After four years of research, William E. Unger, Jr., Ph.D. is offering his new book - As Individual as a Thumbprint: The Custom-Bilt Pipe Story. The book is ideal for pipe smokers and collectors interested in this increasingly collectable pipe. It also provides an interesting history of American pipemaking as shown by the successes and tribulations of one of its one-time major players. The spiral-bound book is comprised of three chapters. The first tells the story of Custom-Bilt pipes from their beginning with Tracey Mincer in 1929, through their name change to Custombilt in 1946, and finally to their ending in 1998 under the ownership of Wally Frank. Also discussed is the Tracy Mincer Pipe Co. from its founding in 1952 and its years under Claude Stuart until its closing in 1990. Chapter Two tells what is known of the major people involved, including the Mincer and Stuart families. The third and largest chapter provides a comprehensive account, with numerous illustrations, of the major and offshoot pipe lines associated with the Custom-Bilt, Custombilt, and Tracy Mincer names. The book is 263 pages, printed on 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper, plastic spiral bound. Copies are $25, plus $3 shipping, payable by check or money order. Ohio residents please add $1.44 sales tax. Bill Unger, 800 Franklin Avenue, Columbus, OH 43205, e-mail: bunger@jadeinc.com Good luck in your search |
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Post by Legend Lover on Oct 26, 2018 6:47:24 GMT -5
It was available on Amazon recently. Perhaps it will be again. www.amazon.com/Custom-Bilt-Pipe-Story-William-Unger/dp/B004FA49MGand this from another search. Book Details History of Custom-Bilt Pipes After four years of research, William E. Unger, Jr., Ph.D. is offering his new book - As Individual as a Thumbprint: The Custom-Bilt Pipe Story. The book is ideal for pipe smokers and collectors interested in this increasingly collectable pipe. It also provides an interesting history of American pipemaking as shown by the successes and tribulations of one of its one-time major players. The spiral-bound book is comprised of three chapters. The first tells the story of Custom-Bilt pipes from their beginning with Tracey Mincer in 1929, through their name change to Custombilt in 1946, and finally to their ending in 1998 under the ownership of Wally Frank. Also discussed is the Tracy Mincer Pipe Co. from its founding in 1952 and its years under Claude Stuart until its closing in 1990. Chapter Two tells what is known of the major people involved, including the Mincer and Stuart families. The third and largest chapter provides a comprehensive account, with numerous illustrations, of the major and offshoot pipe lines associated with the Custom-Bilt, Custombilt, and Tracy Mincer names. The book is 263 pages, printed on 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper, plastic spiral bound. Copies are $25, plus $3 shipping, payable by check or money order. Ohio residents please add $1.44 sales tax. Bill Unger, 800 Franklin Avenue, Columbus, OH 43205, e-mail: bunger@jadeinc.com Good luck in your search Thanks for that... And welcome to the forum. |
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Post by qmechanics on Nov 28, 2018 3:35:29 GMT -5
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Tsal
Junior Member
Posts: 388 
Location:
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Post by Tsal on Dec 5, 2018 10:10:41 GMT -5
Recently a copy of Bill's book went for 365.00 on a popular auction site!
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Post by addamsruspipe on Dec 12, 2018 22:09:16 GMT -5
Tim Wissel who has pipesrevival.com/, has a copy of the book. He just sent me a email with a picture of the page I was interested in out of the book. Was very friendly, I would assume he would be willing to share information out of it to anyone who is interested.  |
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quietmann
New Member
Retired and lovin' it!
Posts: 4
First Name: Don
Favorite Pipe: Celius Queen
Favorite Tobacco: Still trying to decide
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Post by quietmann on Nov 8, 2019 21:19:24 GMT -5
Bill Unger's book IS available. Someone is making copies of it and selling them on eBay. In the past 2-3 months, he's sold 9-10 copies, for anywhere from $41 to $ 89 each. I don't know if what he's doing is legal or even morally kosher, but if you're looking for a copy, search for it on eBay. If the price is too high for your liking, wait until Sunday night. That's when he lists new items.
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Post by qmechanics on Nov 18, 2019 8:57:49 GMT -5
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Post by WolfePipes on Feb 22, 2021 20:16:13 GMT -5
The copyright to this book is held by the North American Society of Pipe Smokers (NASPC), is printed ~quarterly, and is currently available for $29 (shipped). Just e-mail Jeff Knoll at president@naspc.org.
You may have to wait a bit, but that is WAY better than paying a bazillion dollars for a bootleg copy on eBay.
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Post by taiguy66 on Feb 22, 2021 20:18:55 GMT -5
The copyright to this book is held by the North American Society of Pipe Smokers (NASPC), is printed ~quarterly, and is currently available for $29 (shipped). Just e-mail Jeff Knoll at president@naspc.org. You may have to wait a bit, but that is WAY better than paying a bazillion dollars for a bootleg copy on eBay. Hey, I see you’re a new member. Welcome to the Patch from the PNW! |
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rokerdepipe
New Member
Posts: 34
First Name: Eric
Favorite Pipe: Sara Eltang bent Rhodesian
Favorite Tobacco: Presbyterian Mixture (and a bunch of others!)
Location:
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Post by rokerdepipe on May 27, 2021 10:28:33 GMT -5
Bill Unger's book IS available. Someone is making copies of it and selling them on eBay. In the past 2-3 months, he's sold 9-10 copies, for anywhere from $41 to $ 89 each. I don't know if what he's doing is legal or even morally kosher, but if you're looking for a copy, search for it on eBay. If the price is too high for your liking, wait until Sunday night. That's when he lists new items. Pffft, yeah....just saw one on FleaBay for $195.00 US ! Glad to see someone else responded with a location of where to purchase said book for $29 bucks! |
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