Musings on the demise of James B. Russell, Inc.
Sailorman Jack
already dead. In years past, the firm dealt in top-quality products. It was
quite the opposite in recent times.
The new management seemed to be all flash and no substance. They took over the
firm a few years ago (was it five years ago?) and immediately began an
aggresive program of expansion. They tried to achieve too much with too
little. For example, Russell was the US distributor for Cadogan, the worst of
pipe manufacturers (Is there one worse?)
I remember the old Russell fondly. There was a Russell store on 56th street,
just across the street from the rear entrance of Carnegie Hall. It was the
most beautiful of stores. Lots of space and rich and tasteful fixtures,
including a marble, cigar-store Indian. I used to drop in to drink in the
beauty of the store and buy a packet of John Cotton No. 2.
Oh, the store was real; but it was an afterthough. The facility was actually
the offices of the distributor before it moved to New Jersey.
Mingkahuna
is always great to hear the way that it was from a piper who has been around
the pipe world since Hector was a pup ;-)) (meant as a compliment)
Art
Martin Farrent
> For example, Russell was the US distributor for Cadogan, the worst of
> pipe manufacturers (Is there one worse?)
'Ingenious' would be a better description. Cadogan makes pipes that
improve with each bowl of Erinmore. But, yes, there are worse, believe
it or not. For a spot of fun, do a Google search for seconds and
rejects. You'd be surprised how many very inferior companies own a
second brand name for their nastiest products. One wonders which
criteria they employ when differentiating between the two lines.
Of course, Cadogan posesses several brand names along with the
incredible nerve to maintain a 'hierachy' among them.
Best,
Martin
ip...@ptd.net
Nizo's new maxim, "ASK JACK!!"
Tom Greene
products they sold?
Tom Greene
"Sailorman Jack" <chantym...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030725182540...@mb-m16.aol.com...
Creedmoor Chronicles
news:20030725182540...@mb-m16.aol.com...
> I remember the old Russell fondly. There was a Russell store on 56th
street,
> just across the street from the rear entrance of Carnegie Hall.
When did it close? Must have been before my time; I'll ask my father if he
remembers it. In any case, my memories of Russell go back to fall 1987, when
I bought my first basket pipe and a package of Bengal Mixture, a Danish
aromatic imported by Russell. It did not take me long to break the pipe
stem, and I did not smoke again until May 1988, but when I did, I returned
to Bengal Mixture, which was my regular tobacco for, say, my first three
years of pipe smoking. I still miss it, as I've gotten some, umm, negative
feedback when smoking Latakia mixtures in public, but I have not found a
decent aromatic to replace it for that purpose.
Ian S.
Sailorman Jack
Sailorman Jack wrote:
a>> I remember the old Russell fondly. There was a Russell store on 56th
>street,
>> just across the street from the rear entrance of Carnegie Hall.
>
Ian S. wrote:
>When did it close?
Sailorman Jack replies:
I can't say with any certainty; but my recollection is that Russell moved from
56th street to New Jersey sometime in the 60s.
Jack
Frank
I remember back in 1991 calling JB Russell to find out why I could no
longer find Balkan Sobranie and was told it was being discontinued.
The lady taking my call took down my name and address and sent me the
last remaining 50 gram tins they had(2-#759 & 1 Original)compliments
of the company. I still have the letter and the sealed tins. My
concern is for Balkan Saseini which JB Russell distributed and that
became my "default" tobacco of choice when Balkan Sobranie went off
the market.
Frank N.
Just read a letter to our local B&M owner, in which Erik Nording
announces that he is now marketing directly from Denmark.
He's not too happy about his pipes being shot out in that 50 % off
Father's Day sale.
His address is:
The Rattray tobacs are going to be distributed by XYZ Direct LTD., as
is the McConnells line. The same people who are distributing Astley's
Frib.&Treyer, McConnell, Peter Heinrichs, Wessex etc. (all products by
Kohlhaas&Kopp) - Joan Brand and Alan Schwartz - very very nice people,
if you ever have met them at pipe shows.
Tobaccos are in good hands there...
Frank N.
Smoketalk
Rattrays and Nording (among others) There is the possinliuty that they
actaully own the name Sasieni. Let you know what I find at RTDA
Scott