GBD (Pre-1980s) Virgin Collector 9533 Smooth Oom Paul (Estate)

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’s Virgin was one of the make’s most renowned smooth finishes, featuring excellent grain, a light stain, and no fills. As such, they were—and to repeat the sentiment of one Pipedia editor I’ve always liked— “for many years the perfect GBD.” This one comes from GBD’s Collector series, the second rung on its range of oversized pipes, taking the form of a stacked hybrid of the Oom Paul and the cherrywood, with its natural finish highlighting a cross-cut bowl alive with dense bird’s-eye patterns. Based on the nomenclature and stem inlay, this will be a pre-1980s, and thus pre-Cadogan Investments merger. I.e., it comes from before GBD’s manufacturing, was consolidated with that of various other classic Anglo-French makes owned by Cadogan, to which some attribute a decline in quality, or individuality at the very least.

The condition is very good.
Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 1.00 / 25.4mm

Bowl Depth: 1.61″ / 40.89mm

Weight: 1.7oz / 50g