Is NPU keeping track of who owns, say, Joe Shannon’s pipes? Would be a shame if they went missing again. So many old sets were just stumbled across randomly.
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Not aware of any such database. The late Thomas Johnson did a head-count of Taylor sets and published the info on his website. He updated the info from time to time, but it isn’t complete. Not sure if anyone is taking over his website, although it is still live.
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Some Taylor set owners aren’t keen for it to be publicly known that they have such desirable sets. Personally I disagree with that sentiment, pipes should be out being played, and being hidden away is how great sets end up going missing.
Joe Shannon’s set is still in safe keeping with his family, so that one is probably safe at least.
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Like pjpjpj I’m not aware of any list which “keeps track” and compiles info about status or ownership.
There are a couple pipemakers who have gotten enough attention that one begins to have a sense of who owns what. There is a whole Sean Reid Society Journal issue, Vol. III, about R. L. O’Mealy and several sets are mentioned.
Likewise one can piece together status of a few sets by Denis J. Harrington from the writings about him, see references at this link:
http://livesofthepipers.com/pipemakers.html#harrington
Back to Sean Reid Society Journal, Vol. II, there is Mark Walstrom’s list of sets of pipes in museums.
For a few years I tried to compile a list of every possible Taylor set. I keep it to myself partly for the reason booms8 mentions, some owners do not want to be known. Another reason is the challenge of authenticity - is an alleged Taylor set the real thing? And if doubtful - or clearly unlikely - is it included on the list?
Nick Whitmer
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I wasn’t aware that Thomas had passed. I was always appreciative of his uilleann piping interest in years past.
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Thanks for sharing. That’s very sad.