GBD Unique Original XL Sandblasted Rhodesian 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.

While GBD is known as one of the great pipes makes in the Anglo-French tradition, there is one GBD series that has become particularly coveted by smokers and collectors, despite breaking with that tradition almost entirely. That series is, of course, the GBD Unique, each of which was—as the name suggests—wholly distinct in design and often unlike anything on a classical shape chart. These pipes were 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’s a great example of “English freehands” pushing the boundaries of conventional shaping while still remaining recognizable as far as Anglo-French design goes, taking the form of an extraordinarily large, long shank Rhodesian. As for dating, based on the nomenclature and brass “GBD” rondelle, this pipe will be a pre-1980s, pre-Cadogan Investments merger make.

The condition is very good. Some inner rim charring and minor, residual stem oxidation.

Details:

Length: 7.0″ / 177.8mm

Bowl Width: 0.96 / 24.38mm

Bowl Depth: 1.55″ / 39.37mm

Weight: 1.9oz / 54g