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Bing Crosby has done more for the pipe than any other entertainer. A pork pie hat and a pipe became his trademark, generating instant recognition for his multitude of fans. And since so many of Der Bingle's fans wanted to emulate his casual, contented air, a company called Merchant Service created the Crosby-style pipe which, like Bing's, has a very long, thin shank and stem. "It's my personal favorite," says Charlie Kornguth, owner of Beverly Hills Pipe & Tobacco Company for more than twenty years and in the industry for forty-six. He takes a new pipe from the shelf and points to the imprint: "Bing's Favorite." Did any other celebrity have a pipe named after him? Charlie recalls Edward G. Robinson pipe tobacco..."and Playboy had their own pipe. Hugh Hefner was one of the great pipe smokers. He had them made up with the bunny insignia on them to give to guests, friends and what have you. To my knowledge, they were never sold on the market." The winner, and still champ: Bing Crosby.
