GBD Pre-1980s New Standard 9435 Sandblasted Billiard 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 always had a flair for the subtler parts of pipe design. The New Era was a good example of this. It was not a “flashy” pipe, or reliant upon technical novelties like stinger systems; instead New Era pipes wore darker finishes and, perhaps most importantly, had the rims of their bowls beveled or rounded out. The sandblasted New Standards were where, in my humble opinion, this approach could really shine, especially for shapes where GBD typically left the rim itself smooth polish, giving an already subtly lovely design an extra touch of contrast.
As regards dating, the nomenclature and GBD stem inlay indicate this to be a pre-1980s, and therefore pre-Cadogan Investments merger make.

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

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.82 / 20.82mm

Bowl Depth: 1.60″ / 40.64mm

Weight: 1.1oz / 34g