GBD Colossus New Standard 17 Smooth Oom Paul Estate Briar Pipe, English 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.

GBD’s oversized pipes were divided into three categories. First, there was was Conquest, for renditions of GBD designs that were larger than their standard counterparts; then there was the Collector, for renditions that were even larger than the Conquest; finally, there was the Colossus, aptly named as these renditions were larger still than the Conquest and Collector. This particular GBD is an example of the latter, a significantly hefty rendition of the seldom-seen shape 17 Oom Paul, itself one of the most classical of GBD’s designs. Dressed in a light, brown stain, it is indeed a sizeable pipe, taking the Oom Paul’s hallmark tall stature and voluminous chamber and extending those aspects even further. Based on the nomenclature and stem inlay, this looks to be a pre-1980s, pre-Cadogan investments merger piece, making it even more of a find than it would already be.

The condition is good. Some scratches around the bowl.

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.95 / 24.13mm

Bowl Depth: 1.86″ / 47.24mm

Weight: 2.9oz / 84g