GBD 1899 Smooth Army Mount Billiard Estate Briar Pipe, French Estates

Description

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.

There are old GBDs, such as the pre-1980s, pre-Cadogan Investments merger (in which many historic Anglo-French makes were consolidated into the same London factories and standardized under very similar shape charts), which are of especial interest to collectors. But then there are old GBDs, which are far more rare, especially in passable condition. Time may, metaphorically speaking, heal all wounds, but literally speaking, it tends more toward destruction. It is a rare surprise, then, to see a GBD as old as this one in such good shape. In fact, leaving aside the silver mounting for the moment (I’ll return to that shortly), this GBD looks to have been made within the first 50 years of its existence, back when messieurs Ganneval, Bondier & Donninger still owned the make, before it was sold to Adolphe Oppenheimer & Co. in 1902. On the other hand, it would look as though Oppenheimer had the sterling silver army mount fitted in London, hence the maker’s mark and date letters corresponding to Oppenheimer and to 1899 at the London assay office. This makes sense, however, as Oppenheimer had secured exclusive rights to GBD distribution in the UK by 1897.

As indicated the condition is quite remarkable for a pipe that is over 125 years old. There is some darkening on the rim and some unevenness on the inner lip from minor charring, as well as a few scratches and scrapes around the bowl and silverware, but it is nonetheless in good overall condition.

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.76 / 19.30mm

Bowl Depth: 1.52″ / 38.60mm

Weight: 1.5oz / 44g