GBD (Pre-1980s) New Standard 1514 Smooth Zulu (Estate)

GBD was one of several prominent examples of a French brand that would come to define pipe making styles on both sides of the English Channel. 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 range of traditional and modern designs, and partly due to the high standards of their production, GBD pipes would become particularly coveted by collectors, as well as those who simply appreciate classic, well-made smoking instruments.

There were a couple of different iterations of GBD’s flagship New Standard line in the 20th century, with the main difference between them being the finish used. This one looks to be the New Standard in its midcentury guise, which—per catalogs—was distinguished by a “Rich Ruby Finish” and by a subtly elegant, beveled rim on each model in the line. I’ve listed this one, a shape “1514,” as a Zulu, though in typical GBD fashion it’s a little of a hybrid of Anglo-French staples, with a touch of the oval shank billiard to it as well. Based on the nomenclature and stem inlay, this will be a pre-1980s, “pre-Cadogan” manufacture.

The condition is good. Some rim darkening and finish fading, minor handling marks, and chamber slightly over-reamed.

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.80 / 20.32mm

Bowl Depth: 1.43″ / 36.32mm

Weight: 0.9oz / 26g