GBD New Standard Collector 78 Smooth Cavalier 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.

The “78” is one of the strangest, and indeed rarest, shapes from GBD’s old catalogs, which is no mean feat considering how vast and varied GBDs could be. On the other hand, it’s also one of the most traditional. After all, it is essentially a cavalier, complete with a removable “foot” and a general figure reminiscent of the 18th and 19th century pipes the shape first manifested through. Unsurprisingly, this one is a Collector grade, used for GBD’s oversized pipes, and it also features one of the make’s iconic, translucent perspex stems. Based on the nomenclature, this will be a pre-1980s, pre-Cadogan Investments merger piece—though the perspex is usually a tell in itself.

The condition is fair. Some darkening and wear to the rim, and some finish fading.

Details:

Length: 6.5″ / 165.1mm

Bowl Width: 0.79 / 20.06mm

Bowl Depth: 1.25″ / 31.75mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 62g