The Principles and Personalities Involved

CHICAGO OPERATIONS

Louis B. Linkman, revised 12-19-2008

-- For a long time, I had very little information on Mr. Linkman or the M. Linkman & Company. I finally learned of an early Dr. Grabow history that was published in the old and now defunct, PIPE LOVERS magazine. I could not secure a copy, so a friend has helped out considerably by sending me a copy of the article -- unfortunately it was a photocopy of a photocopy, so the quality was lacking and some passages were hard to read. Regardless, I am happy to add to this site that article, transcribed verbatim. Highlights in BOLD and comments in {brackets} are mine. Please enjoy the addition by CLICKING HERE!

Dr. Paul E. Grabow

-- Grandson Paul W. Grabow has not only graciously provided me with a personal letter about his Grandfather, but also an actual photo Dr. GRABOW so we all may see the man behind the legend!!! What a GREAT candid shot! (The original photo was black & white, but friend Barry Thomas painstakingly "colorized" it for me.) Hopefully more photos will surface in the future taken at other points in Dr. Grabow's life. To learn more about the Doctor behind the Dr. Grabow brand of pipes CLICK HERE

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When you visit the link above, you will be taken to a page that not only contains the photo of Dr. Grabow, but also an early day insert included with a pipe that contains his personal endorsement, as well as a comparison of signatures from that document and a similar endorsement contained in a Dr. Grabow catalog circa 1937.

Virgil Coari

-- Employee at M. Linkman & Co. who worked there in the 1940s, who also had several other relatives that worked there in the 1930s and 1940s. Mike Johnson and his Mother have provided us with a great photo of employees, the factory entrance and a shot of Virgil's W-2 Form showing M. Linkman & Co. as his employer! CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS!

Angelo Pinasco

-- Dr. Grabow pipe sales continued to increase and in October of 1944, the Dr. Grabow Pipe Co. was formed and incorporated. Its founding incorporators included Richard J. Dean, Angelo Pinasco, and Harry A. Shapiro. The corporate address remained in the M. Linkman building on W. Fullerton. CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO AND MORE INFO!

SPARTA OPERATIONS

David P. Lavietes

-- Inventer of the Ajustomatic feature that was later incorporated into, and eventually made an exclusive feature of the Dr. Grabow line of pipes. A photo of David Lavietes.

Henry Lavietes

-- The brother of David Lavietes above. The "Henry" of Henry Leonard & Thomas (HL&T). A photo of Henry Lavietes.

Jack Martin

-- Photo one of Jack Martin. Photo two of Jack Martin.

Max Haynes

-- Long-time employee and general manager of the company, International Pipes and Accessories. A photo of Mr. Haynes.

Jim Burns

-- The new owner of the Dr. Grabow plant, James B. “Jim” Burns, is a native of New Zealand who plans to live in Alleghany County and grow the business. Burns had been employed by Lane Limited, before he purchased the Sparta pipe factory — the largest pipe manufacturing facility in the world, Mr. Burns had pointed out in an interview in 2006. A photo of Mr. Burns.

Rick Wooten

-- Current Vice President, Sales and Marketing of International Pipes & Accessories LLC, makers of the Dr. Grabow pipe. A photo of Rick.

I'm not the first person in my family to have an interest in pipes. Here's some photos of some of my family and their pipes:

  • My Great Grandfather, Charles Fletcher, and his pipe circa the 1920s.
  • My Grandfather, Wilford Fletcher, and one of his pipes circa 1941.
  • My Grandfather, Wilford Fletcher, and a full bent pipe circa the 1940s.
  • My Grandfather, Wilford Fletcher, and a full bent pipe again circa 1944 or so.
  • My "Grandftaher-in-Law", "Dude" Ground enjoying his pipe.
  • My Dad, Gordon McKay, in front of several Yello Bole pipe displays inside Webb City Drug Store circa 1940.
  • Yours truly, Russell James McKay with a Dr. Grabow, (Churchwarden shape #00A, made circa early- to mid-1940s.)

    Created quite awhile ago, Last Updated November 22nd, 2011 by R.J. McKay