GBD Sovereign 315 Smooth Apple Estate Briar Pipe, French 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 Sovereign line was produced in both England and in France, and indeed went through some changes over the years. These older, more reserved iterations, as seen in a listing from a few evenings ago, seem to be the best of the bunch, boasting excellent grain and a minimal, light finish so that said grain could shine through quite marvelously. As is this a French-made GBD, and as it has the signature brass GBD stem inlay, it should be a pre-Cadogan Investments merger piece, from before the 1980s.

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

 

Details:

Length: 5.5″ / 139.7mm

Bowl Width: 0.72 / 18.28mm

Bowl Depth: 1.27″ / 32.25mm

Weight: 1.0oz / 30g