GBD Midnight Collector 263 Smooth Lumberman 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.

During the 20th century, GBD’s oversized pipes came in three main groups; the Conquest, the Collector, and the Colossus. Roughly speaking, the Conquest was the first rung on the oversized ladder, the Collector was the second, and the Colossus was the third. However, because these designations were typically tied to specific shapes, some pipes in one group could larger in one proportion or another to a different group, even if the latter was nominally above the former. For example, this shape “263” lumberman is an exceptionally long take on the classic design, longer than many a Colossus shape, though its other proportions are quite traditional, allowing it to maintain a relative lightness in weight. In this instance, the pipe is dressed in GBD’s deep, slight contrast Midnight finish, paired with a distinctive, but subtle, golden-brown swirl acrylic mouthpiece.

The condition is fair. Some wear to the rim, finish fading, and chamber slightly over-reamed.

Details:

Length: 8.4″ / 213.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.85 / 21.59mm

Bowl Depth: 1.65″ / 41.91mm

Weight: 1.5oz / 44g