R.L. Lafond pipes Detroit MI

[Horsepuppy]

Hi All,

Anyone around the board familiar with R.L. Lafond pipes? My wifes step-father is his son and he was kind enough to gift me 2 of his late fathers pipes this Christmas. From what I've gathered he was in the pipe repair business in Detroit MI some time ago. He also carved pipes of his own and stamped them R.L Lafond. I was wondering if any of the collective here have heard anything about the shop, the pipes....anything really. I've attached some pics for you all.

Thanks all

 

[Harlock999]

Never heard of them, but they are distinctive. Thanks for the pics.

 

[Horsepuppy]

No Prob. Just figured I'd throw them out there to see if anyone had run into the name before. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Stinger4me]

I knew Richard LaFond, he did some pipe repairs for me. I first met him in the early 70's. His business was located in the Broadway Bldg. on Broadway north of Gratiot Ave. in the loop area. A few years later he moved his office to the Broderick Tower on Woodward and Witherell.(Woodward was the main street of downtown Detroit.) He had a very small office with only one showcase. The case was probably 3' long. I took some pipes in there for repairs and he did good work. In the showcase he had pipes which he made and they were unique. Most of them were out of my price range. Back in those days free hand pipes were just beginning to become popular. I would guess in the $50-70 range for average size pipes. One of the pipes he had in his shop was made from a whale tooth. It was slightly larger than most of the free-had pipes you see today. There was no price tag on it. He told me somebody would come in and want the pipe and they would pay him what he thought it was worth. Richard wore leg braces and walked with crutches. If he is still alive he would probably be in his 90's. He did pipe repairs, lighter repairs and some small sharpening jobs. I would classify him as a craftsman and perhaps perfectionist. He made the stems as well and the images you have were some of the more plain varieties. There was another LaFond in Detroit and he had a shop in the Cadillac Tower on Cadillac Square. He sold pipes, cigars, bulk and tinned tobaccos. I hope this helps. If you have any other questions send me a PM.

Stinger

 

[portasio]

very nice pipes. thanks for sharing. and thanks for the info stinger. cool stuff. i'm quite fond of artisan pipes and these are definitely special.

 

[Horsepuppy]

Stinger! Thank you very much for the reply and info. I sure would of loved to of seen that whales tooth pipe.