Digby (GBD; Pre-1980s) 9665 Smooth Poker Sitter (Estate)

GBD was one of several prominent examples of a French pipe brand that, due to certain circumstances, ultimately became one of the standard bearers of 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. Digby was a sub-brand made by GBD.

In addition to the high quality of its pipes, one thing GBD always stood out for was its hybrid shapes. Though there were plenty of eminently traditional designs in its midcentury catalogs, there were countless shapes that blended Anglo-French staples in novel and creative ways, resulting in an output that rivaled Denmark in its boundary-pushing aesthetic variety. The “9665,” seen here from GBD’s Digby sub-brand, is a difficult shape to characterize; one could call it a poker, a panel, or a volcano, among other things. Though perhaps that’s missing the point, as it is quite simply an enjoyable and comfortable design that doesn’t much need a formal name to be so. Judging by the nomenclature, this looks to be a pre-1980s, pre-Cadogan make from GBD’s London factory.

The condition is fair. Minor inner rim darkening, some scratches and fills on the bowl, and some residual oxidation on the mouthpiece.

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.61″ / 40.89mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 40g