GBD (Pre-1980s) Virgin Colossus 9618 Smooth Oom Paul with Perspex Mouthpiece (Unsmoked 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.

Given GBD’s place in the history of pipe making, it should be no surprise that the company’s pipes were typically very traditional as far as proportions go. One notable exception to this, however, was the three-tiered series of oversized pipes GBD made. These were, in ascending order of size, the “Conquest,” the “Collector,” and the “Colossus.” While not magnums, they were, nonetheless, pretty big pipes, especially by the standards of the day. The “9618,” seen here, was an example of a shape from the Colossus subseries. It was Oom Paul of sorts, though one whose sheer bulbousness brought it strikingly close in figure to the pre-briar hunter’s pipes on which the Oom Paul was originally based. This one is also an example of the make’s Virgin line, distinguished by its superior graining, which was left on full display by the natural, waxed finish applied to the bowl. As a last touch, this pipe also happens to feature a signature of sorts for GBD pipes in the midcentury: a translucent perspex mouthpiece.

In terms of dating, the nomenclature and stem inlay indicate that this pipe will be a pre-1980s, pre-Cadogan Investments merger production. In other words, it was made before the manufacture of GBD pipes, along with a large number of other established Anglo-French makes, was consolidated during the 1980s. These “pre-Cadogan” pipes tend to be more sought after by collectors for a number of reasons, not least because of the loss of individuality and character that such a merger tends to incur.

This pipe is completely unsmoked, with an original bowl coating. It comes with its original (slightly time-worn) box and sleeve.

Details:

Length: 5.7″ / 144.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.83 / 21.08mm

Bowl Depth: 1.99″ / 50.54mm

Weight: 2.3oz / 66g