Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-08-06
The Mesrschaum Mania.

Within the past two years there has sprung
IN in our midst-a disease known AS the
"Meerschaum fever" and So rapid has been
its growth. that smoker ct cigars or hne
cut, is not considered genteel or fashionable
without the smoke Of his ''regalia or Turk
ish" passes through meerschaum. The
usual salutatlon of "llow are YOU" is now
forgotten, and the word Does your meer-
.chaum color" substituted. For it must be
understood that the meerschaum liz only
considered valuable when it assumes Il dark
reddish appearance. Nomatter how much it
may smell like all old pipe, and scent ones
clothes until your friends turn their noses to
the windward while talking to you, fashion
must be colored Fabulous amounts are
paid for them when they have donned the
fashionable hue, and that which was worth
but fifty cents when new, has been sold rs
high as fifteen dollars when cOlored and
rank with the oil Of tobacco. The price,
however, cannot be considered enormous
when it is understood that the finest quality
Of meerschaum cannot be perfectly colored
under three months, and then it must be in
use nearly all the time; say for instance
thirty cigars per day smoked through one,
each cigar costing three cents, would make
the cost for ninety days ISL, without count
Ing sick headaches, nervousness, &c. The
meerschaum or that portion in which the
cigar or tobacco is placed, is made in Vienna,
Of clay found in Asia. This clay resembles
the porcelain clay of this country, and is
easily moulded into any desired shape, and
the finer the quality, the more easily color
ei by the oil Of tobacco. The mouthpiece of
the meerschaum is made of amber, u sub
stance resembling rosin. found along the Bal
tie Sea This is valued according to the
'lle Of the piece, and it's fitness for mouth
pieces. Many of the mcerschaums, since
the great demand for the article, are now
made ola French clay, with mouthpieces of
copal, and so strong is the resemblance that
hone bur Judges Of the article can distinguish
The difference. These are called by know
ihg ones, "Mere-shams." These sell from
twenty-five cents to one dollar and upwards.
lie real meerschaums are valued AZ before
stated, by the length and purity of the
"oathplece, and the tineneSs of the clay from
winch they are made Some Of them sell ~
"'sh aS SO, in consequence of the elaborate
af''ng upon them. They are made in vi
enns' where Il large number Of persons are
employed to meet the present demand. One
u'w' poil 4 Co., have sold over $4,000 worth
We Present season, and the cry is still more
mverNehaums.' These pipes have been in
we III Vienna and Germany for fifty or
u'cfe Years, and by few Germans in
"'' country, but not until very recently
nave our own citizens taken such fan
I" them. Now. the fever is equal
'ne mulberry tree mania, which spread
tIe' The country. and every cigar shop
a' lis display of meerschaums. Those who
a "T' able to purchase the Simon Pures.
gisss limitations. and one respected friend
r a's Drought into use portion of Holsters
,t 'aN' because it had been colored, without
D" NM necessity Of killing himselfby smoking an
isdJe,.