GBD Pre-1980s Virgin Smooth Bulldog w/ Perspex 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’s Virgin was one of the make’s most renowned smooth finishes, featuring excellent grain, a light stain, and no fills, making them, in the words of one Pipedia editor, “for many years the perfect GBD.” This one takes the form of a classic Anglo-French bulldog rendition, one defined both by its superior bird’s-eye grain patterns and the inclusion of GBD’s signature design materials, perspex. As I’ve mentioned previously, the make’s use of such for pipe mouthpieces led to perspex becoming all but synonymous with GBD within the pipe world for a time. As I’ve also mentioned previously, the Virgin was an especially appropriate line to pair with it, given that the glassy, translucence of the mouthpiece echoed the natural, grain-forward dress of the Virgin’s bowl. Based on the nomenclature, this particular GBD will be a pre-1980s, and thus a “pre-Cadogan,” make, i.e., from before GBD was consolidated with a significant number of classic Anglo-French makes via the Cadogan Investments mergers of the later 20th century.

The condition is very good. Some inner rim darkening and minor handling marks.

Details:

Length: 6″ / 152.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.91 / 23.11mm

Bowl Depth: 1.24″ / 31.49mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 40g