It was a world of wise, contemplative men who sat and smoked and read serious, leather-bound literature, as well as a world of rugged outdoorsmen, canoeists and fly fishermen and clipper ship captains who puffed their pipes as they pored over nautical charts before sailing 'round the Horn.

It was a magical world, part reality and part myth, and now it has all but disappeared, fading like smoke.

"A lot of pipe smokers have died and new ones aren't coming along," says David Berkebile, owner of Georgetown Tobacco.

But the evidence of the pipe's decline goes beyond statistics. Fifty years ago, nearly every male movie star who wanted to be taken seriously posed for PR photos smoking a pipe and looking contemplative. These days, about the only pipe smokers found in the movies are the hobbits in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy

Bowled Over No Longer
The Once-Ubiquitous Aroma of Fatherhood Is Fading Away

By Peter Carlson
Washington Post Staff Writer

Now if we could just persuade cigarettes to go the same way...! Annbramwell · 2011-05-18: 02:36

Used to like the smell of some pipe tobacco as my grandfather and great grandfather smoked their pipes, but that was before we knew about the harmful effects! Interesting find! darfoster · 2011-05-18: 02:50

Now we see it as a very weird thing to do. I love the enamel sign. Interesting post (as always) Jeff. SADHYA · 2011-05-18: 04:30

A magnificent find Jeff! "Where has all the neon gone?" Is that a song??? danrav · 2011-05-18: 05:16

Really cool sign and shot...i only know one person that puffs on a pipe...and it does have a pleasant smell !!! MARETKA88 · 2011-05-18: 08:02

Great shot, Jeff. Eroded and tarnished sign, much like the lungs that touched the smoke. JustGarden · 2011-05-18: 10:31

oh, I would love to have that ol sign, what a classic!!! urmysunshine · 2011-05-18: 10:36

Love it! GranAbby · 2011-05-19: 09:59

Great picture. I love old signs OlyKaz · 2011-05-25: 10:32

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