GBD Pre-1980s Virgin 9447 Smooth Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, English Estates

GBD was one of several prominent examples of a French pipe brand that, due to certain circumstances, became a maker most associated with classic ‘British’ pipes. Founded in 1850 by the French trio Ganneval, Bondier & Donninger, the brand was bought by English company Oppenheimer at the beginning of the 20th century, who opened factories in London and Paris to meet an increasing demand for the make’s high-quality and highly desirable pipes. Partly owing to the make’s inventive, yet traditional shapes, and partly due to the high standards of their production, GBD pipes are particularly coveted by collectors, as well as those who simply appreciate classic, well-made smoking instruments. GBD’s Virgin was one of the make’s most renowned smooth finishes, featuring excellent grain, a light stain, and no fills, making them, in the words of one Pipedia editor, “for many years the perfect GBD.” This one’s a good-sized billiard rendition, with a bowl alight with bird’s-eye and flame grain and, curiously enough, a hand cut stem, rather than the pre-molded ones often used in pipe factories. Based on the nomenclature and stem inlay, this should be a pre-1980s, pre-Cadogan Investments make. The condition is fair. Rim darkening, a couple of scratches on the bowl, and some handling marks.   Details: Length: 5.9″ / 149.86mm Bowl Width: 0.86 / 21.84mm Bowl Depth: 1.54″ / 39.11mm Weight: 1.4oz / 42g

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