Summary
Set of pipes which belonged to Ettore Checchi and were used by him in Melbourne during the first half of the 20th century. Ettore migrated from Florence, Italy in 1876, with two friends Pietro Baracchi and Carlo Catani. Ettore pioneered water conservation projects, including the Hume and Eildon dams.
Physical Description
Two tiered wooden pipe stand, top tier with series of 6 holes and base with 6 round intents. These act as a support to hold 6 tobacco smoking pipes. Pipes typically consist of a small chamber (the bowl) for the combustion of the tobacco to be smoked and a thin stem (shank) that ends in a mouthpiece (the bit). Pipe 1: Wooden stemmed pipe with 'corn cob' wooden bowl (maker's sticker on base illegible) and vulcanite, lucite or bakelite mouthpiece. Pipe 2: Wooden stemmed 'Varsity' pipe with wooden bowl (maker's sticker on base illegible) and vulcanite, lucite or bakelite mouthpiece. Made in London. Pipe 3: Aluminium plain stemmed 'Alco' pipe with wooden bowl and vulcanite or lucite mouthpiece. Made in England. Pipe 4: Wooden stemmed 'Kaywoodie' pipe with wooden bowl (maker's sticker on base illegible) and vulcanite, lucite or bakerlite mouthpiece. Made in London. Pipe 5: Aluminium stemmed 'Falcon' pipe with decorative central rope section, with wooden bowl and vulcanite or lucite mouthpiece. Made in England. Pipe 6: Wooden stemmed 'Pollo de Luxe' pipe with wooden bowl (maker's sticker on base illegible) and vulcanite, lucite or bakerlite mouthpiece. Made in France
Significance
The significance of this collection lies in their provenance to Ettore Checchi and Pietro Baracchi, two significant figures in the social, scientific and engineering histories of Victoria and also Canberra. See narratives Pietro Baracchi and Establishing Mount Stromlo Observatory.
More Information
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Collection Names
Museums Victoria/Italian Historical Society Co.As.It Collection
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Pauline Checchi, Nov 2006
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Manufacturer
Thomas Ambrose Gaunt - Thomas Gaunt & Co, Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, circa 1900
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Original Owner
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Other Association (See Comments)
Pietro Paolo Giovanni Ernesto Baracchi - Melbourne Observatory
Lifelong friend of the owner Ettore Checchi. -
Inscriptions
Sticker under the base 'Made in the Philippines.' Pipe 2: "Varsity / Made in London". Pipe 3: "Alco / Made in England". Pipe 4: "Kaywoodie / Made in London". Pipe 5: "Falcon / Made in England". Pipe 6: "Pollo de Luxe / Made in France".
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Brand Names
Varsity (Pipe) , Alco (Pipe) , Kaywoodie (Pipe) , Falcon (Pipe) , Pollo de Luxe (Pipe)
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Classification
Recreation & tourism, Substance use - tobacco, Smoking equipment
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
300 mm (Width), 100 mm (Depth), 140 mm (Height)
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References
Pipes: [Link 1](tobacco) Ettore Checchi: [Link 2] Julia Church, Per L'Australia. The Story of Italian Migration, 2005 Italian Historical Society Photographic Collection, including image of Ettore Checchi smoking a pipe.
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Keywords
Astronomy, Civil Engineering, Healthcare & Medicine, Italian Communities, Italian Immigration, Pipes