by Steve Laug

I was going through some of my pipe paraphernalia that I have collected for a lot of years and found this new old stock Car Boy Pipe Holder still in the original box. It is a unique piece that brings back memories for me and also is a quick trip to the past as I turn it over in my hands. These walnut pipe holders were made by the same Decatur Industries that made pipe racks and rests. It is fun to read the advertising on the box as part of a trip to the past. I am holding the box with the front facing me (back is the same). It is simply marked Car Boy Pipe Holder with a line drawing of the holder and a pipe in place in it.I turned the box around in my hands and took photos of the drawings and advertising around the box sides. Turning the box to the right shows a close up of the pipe in place in the Car Boy holder. It is stuck on the metal dash board of a car that looks familiar to me. It is nicely drawn. The crazy thing is that I vaguely remember my Uncle Gene having one of these in his VW delivery van for his tailor/dry cleaning shop. Turning the box left from the Car Boy front is a drawing of a convertible with the pipe holder stuck on the day again to the right of the steering wheel below the push button radio. Subtly the ad is saying that the holder will fit in any car and add a touch of class for the pipe man. On the top of the box it shows how the pipe holder can be used and how it is installed. The description says that there is a Special adhesive back that lets you fasten car boy anywhere. Holds pipes securely, safely. There are three drawings that show it in a workshop, a plane and on a golf bag. This pushes the horizons of the Car Boy to multiple uses. Your imagination is the only limitation.On the bottom of the box there is a printed description of the Carboy Pipe Holder. It reads: With a car boy you can park your pipe anywhere. A simple and practical holder made of walnut with special adhesive back that adheres to any surface. Rubber grips hold the pipe safely. Pat. Pending. Printed in U.S.A.I opened the box and took a photo of the end of the Pipe Holder. You can see the rubber grommet in the larger hole that reminds me of the old church communion cup holders that I grew up with as a kid. We used to stick our fingers in them and play with them during particular tedious services. In this case you can see that it is cut in an X or cross and the pipe is pushed stem first into the holder. It is the same on both sides and it holds a full pipe, a smoldering pipe or even and empty one. You will notice that the top is curved and rounded. There is also a hole drilled to the left of the pipe hole. It is made to hold pipe cleaners ready to be used. Travel with me back in time as I take it out of the box and take photos of it to show the style and design of the Car Boy. From the top it looks like a treasure chest. Gentle cures and well finished Walnut. The photos of each end of the holder show the rubber insert that holds the pipe stable and the hole drilled for pipe cleaners to be securely held. The photo of the underside shows the adhesive peel an stick double sided tape that holds the Car Boy to the dash board or any other surface of your choosing. I thought to complete our trip to the past I would add a pipe to the Car Boy and take a photo of how it works. The rubber inserts fit just about any stem and shank. I can tell you with certainty that pipe is solidly in place and very stable. It will not tip over with sudden braking!This is certainly a nostalgic piece from another time! It is a great idea and certainly one that could be used almost anywhere you set down your pipe. I guess it is time to reenter our won time. Sometimes I think I was born into the wrong era. Ah well, thanks for the time to take this little time travel trip with me. Cheers.