GBD (Pre-1980s) Unique A11 Magnum Smooth Long Shank Cup and Saucer (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.

While GBD is known as one of the great pipes makes in the Anglo-French tradition, there is one GBD line that became particularly coveted by smokers and collectors, despite breaking with that tradition almost entirely. This line is, of course, the GBD Unique, each of which was—as the name suggests—wholly distinct in design and unlike anything on a classical shape chart. These pipes were instead carved freehand, allowing for more modern compositions, but they were also predominantly carved by Horry Jamieson, a veteran English pipe-maker who had spent years working for GBD, and for Barling before that.

In the case of this Unique, it is undoubtedly one of the largest I’ve ever seen, dwarfing even the most sizeable of the make’s Colossus series shapes. There’s quite an interesting overlap with other makes from the time, too, most notably in how it appears to play with a couple of common Charatan motifs, such as the “Cup and Saucer,” while still creating something that is its own thing.

On a last note, the nomenclature and brass “GBD” stem inlay indicate this to be a pre-1980s, pre-Cadogan Investments merger make.

The condition is fair. Minor inner rim charring, some handling marks, slight oxidation on the mouthpiece, minor tooth indents, and chamber slightly over-reamed.

Details:

Length: 10.0″ / 254.0mm

Bowl Width: 1.08 /27.43mm

Bowl Depth: 2.08″ / 52.83mm

Weight: 2.1oz / 60g