GBD Pre-1980s Fantasy Colossus 9643 Partially Sandblasted Diplomat 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 grouped into one of three categories: Conquest, Collector, and Colossus. The latter was the largest of the three, though the dimensions this was in relation to varied by shape. In the case of the 9643, which could be regarded as a diplomat, a tomato, or an author, depending on who you asked, oversized meant wide. In a manner not unlike the famous Sixten Ivarsson Ukulele, GBD’s Colossus variant of the 9643 was decidedly broad and squat, with a wide chamber well-suited for mixture and ribbon cuts. This one comes from the Fantasy line, which featured a mixed finish of smooth and sandblasted sections and, in some cases, one of GBD’s iconic perspex stems, as seen here. On a last note, based on the nomenclature and stem inlay, this should be a pre-1980s, pre-Cadogan Investments merger GBD pipe.

The condition is very good. Minor inner rim darkening and some discoloration of the pipe’s translucent stem.

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 1.00 / 25.4mm

Bowl Depth: 0.95″ / 24.13mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 66g