GBD Pre-1980s New Era 9518 Smooth Brandy w/ Perspex 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.

There are certain symbols that have come to be associated with certain pipe brands, like a white spot and Dunhill pipes. There are certain shapes that have similarly come to be associated with certain pipe brands, like Stanwell and the Peewit. And, in some rare cases, there are certain materials that have come to be associated with certain pipe brands. In the latter example, one of the most famous is, strangely enough, perspex, and the brand it is associated with is GBD. Perspex is essentially a plastic developed in the early 20th century, with a whole variety of different applications. In the pipe world, however, it was something popularized by GBD, coming to define the aesthetic of their mid-century output. Here we find an example of its use on a brandy sitter from the New Era line, one characterized by superior briar, a slight contrast finish and, on some occasions, one of the aforementioned, signature perspex stems. Based on the nomenclature and stem inlay, this one will have been made prior to the 1980s, making it a pre-Cadogan Investments merger piece.

The condition is fair. Rim darkening, some scratches and nicks on the bowl, and slight scratches on the stem.

Details:

Length: 5.6″ / 142.2mm

Bowl Width: 0.88 / 22.35mm

Bowl Depth: 1.45″ / 36.83mm

Weight: 1.2oz / 36g