“Valentino Reineger of Alton, Illinois 65 years old and a retired glass-blower, had the distinction of being one of the most expert in the country at making odd pieces…
The glass pipe shown in the illustration was his most difficult piece. It is 5 feet high. The bowl is three inches in diameter and six inches deep. It would hold nearly a pound of tobacco. The pipe is decorated and weighs nearly ten pounds.
Of course the pipe is intended only for ornamental purposes. It would be hard to conceive of the most inveterate smoker indulging in a full-pound smoke, unless he happened to be sitting at an Indian peace conference.”
– From ‘Popular Science monthly’ magazine, 1872
