What was it Groucho Marx said?..."I would never join any club that would have me as a member.", or something to that effect?

All I've been able to find out about it so far is that the town, Lindenberg im Allgäu, is at the extreme south of the country and once was part of Austria.

I'd appreciate any information on the ring or the "Smoker's Club". - Cheers, Bob

Well, see you have another research project for the summer! ,,,
The ring has that old used period look.. A nice catch you got there....,G.

Thanks Gaspare. The price was certainly right, too.

BB, I had to stop smoking (cigars) for years , I still do miss them.

Good to see this nice ring. I like the fine enamel work.

Thank you for posting your good pictures.

We can see by the back of the ring a little about construction...

Early on many rings were 'blanks'. A complete ring,large size, nothing to front.. Jewelers would order emblems or use customers own pins to make rings.

The 2 holes on the back,,one of the reasons for them ,, This one you can see the 2 breather/gas escape holes.. When soldering metal emblems to these rings the solder and flux will make gases that will sometimes make it very hard to keep the emblem in place and to affix.
The holes let the gases [*also lets more solder to grab] *escape , lets the solder *flow,, and *harden faster once the flame is taken away too.

Nice piece, very interesting, and hopefully BB will find something on the organization.. Keep us updated..,Thanks , G.

BB,
That is one heck of a great find. I believe their are a few smoking clubs left. Please let us know what you find out. Very interesting piece of history. Thanks.

BB,

Sorry I can't add another nice ring to your thread but I can add a little more blabber ...

The German tradition of smoker's/pipe clubs goes back quite a way, and they're still found to the present day. Intended to promulgate the history and appreciation of tobacco use, the artistry of pipe design and manufacture through the ages, as well as creating a stimulating social environment for like-minded aficionados, much like the private cigar clubs here in America today.

The mindset of most club members runs closely to this humorous saying,

"Es gibt Menschen, die rauchen nicht,
trinken nicht, essen nur Gemüse
und meiden auch sonst jeden Genuss.
Zur strafe werden sie 100 Jahre alt."

"There are people, they don't smoke,
don't drink, eat only vegetables
and avoid every pleasure, too.
As punishment they will live to be 100 years old ..."

very apropos, nicht war?

Another interesting aspect to this great hobby -the history of foreign culture.

Here's another example of a membership pin,
a turn-of-the-century design from the Pipe-club Vesuvius, having a great Jugendstil look to it.

Do any of you other gents have collections of club-oriented rings? It would be great to see some more enamel designs as nice as the quality of Bob's.

Gracias amigos.

Bill

Outstanding, Bill! Thank you.

Bill,

That's a beaut, I like it and the art nouveau style. Thanks for showing it.