GBD (Pre-1980s) New Standard 9665 Smooth Volcano (Estate)

GBD was one of several prominent examples of a French pipe brand that, due to certain circumstances, ultimately became one of the standard bearers of 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 a lot of things that GBD did right during its heyday, which is a big part of the reason why the make remains so dear to pipe smokers. And, crucially, there are things that GBD did right that very few other pipe companies were able to. The matter of shapes is one such example. Some pipe companies are famous for their timeless renditions of classic shapes, for example, while some pipe companies are famous for pioneering shapes that would come to form a novel, more modern canon. GBD’s midcentury output, however, bridged the old and the new by way of countless unique hybrids—shapes that brought together elements from across the Anglo-French standards in ways that were creative, fresh, yet still “traditional” in aesthetic. It’s a difficult balance to strike, but of all of the great makes of the 20th century, GBD might well have done it best.

The “9655” was one such hybrid. Over the years, I’ve seen it called all sorts of things; volcano, poker, bent billiard, etc. It seems obvious that it fits within those established categories, though exactly which one is much harder to agree upon. That’s the beauty of it though—fresh, but familiar. On a last note, based on the nomenclature and stem inlay, this will be a pre-1980s, “pre-Cadogan” manufacture.

The condition is good. Some rim darkening, finish fading, and a minor handling marks.

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.61″ / 40.89mm

Weight: 1.3oz / 37g