Meerschaum is a stone or block found and mined still today, only in Asia-Minor 240 to 250 feet under the surface of the ground. Meerschaum is organic in origin being the fossilizer remains of minute sea animals. Millions years ago, the remains of these animals were compressed by earthquakes, washed over repeatedly by the ocean and by floods, which deposited earth and rock on top of them, and were moved and shifted by floods and successive glacial movements. It is very light in weight and one of the most porous substances found in nature. Consequently it absorbs the nicotin and tobacco is thus filtered in the pipe. After smoked, it changes and takes a rich brown color over time. I acquired these 3 pipes in 1969 while in the USAF at Sinop, Turkey. They are a beautiful set of pipes that can be smoked or framed for viewing. The pipes are approximately 7" long and the bowls are nearly 2" high. The black speckled pipe is very unique type of meerschaum.
