l´anatra Académie Internationale de la Pipe

Each year since 1994, the Académie brings out "The Pipe Year Book" in three languages: French, English and German. Consequently, the Academy Members and Fellow Members in some twenty countries undertake a considerable amount of studies and publications on very varied subjects relating to the history of pipes in every form and in every era.

To mark its twentieth anniversary, the Acad6mie launched a competition among pipe creators in Order to choose the one who would be given the task of making an "Anniversary Pipe", the shape of which was to tie in wich the one on its emblem. This is how L'Anatra in Pesaro, a small port on the Adriatic, was Chosen.

Pesaro, Rossini's native town, has become a famous centre for producing briar pipes thanks, among others, to two talented creators: Massimo Palazzi and Andrea Pascucci, founders of "L'Anatra".

Massimo Palazzi was a goldsmith to begin with. One day, one of his clients brought him a very fine briar pipe and asked him to fit it out with an elegant gold design. Fascinated by the result, Palazzi then decided to take up briar pipe making. He learned the craft and started up his own production in 1997. Then, quite by Chance, he met Andrea Pascucci who had begun to make pipes an a Small scale in 1985. Massimo Palazzi appreciated the quality of his workmanship, and, at the starr of 2000, asked him to team up with him, and that is how "L'Anatra" came into being.

Whereas Massimo Palazzi is specialised in making curved pipes, which are sometimes panelled or have an oval contour, Andrea Pascucci likes to produce muck bigger pipes with very free and flowing lines. Both of them prefer to work with briarroot from Calabria because it is lighter and has a more beautiful and finer grain than the briar from other sources. The stems are produced using soft acrylic, which retains a matchless sheen.

All the pipes produced by L'Anatra are considered to be little works of art.

These items are so beautiful that sometimes their makers are sorry to see them go. But Massimo Palazzi and Andrea Pascucci both know they are working for briar pipe enthusiasts as well as for art lovers.

The Académie´s twentieth anniversary pipe is a unique piece, produced in limited number for discerning smokers who know how to appreciate the special satisfaction and relaxation that comes from savouring one's tobacco in a perfect pipe, a genuine collector's item, which will always retain its value. What is more, its display stand made of noble wood will allow keen collectors to show off this very special piece to its full advantage.

Let's hope that the model tastefully Chosen by the Académie Internationale de la Pipe gives you the utmost pleasure.

Production strictly limited at 300 pieces.