GBD Virgin 1344 Smooth Poker 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.” I’ve handled a lot of GBD pipes over the years, and with this one, I’m more inclined to agree with that sentiment than ever before. A humble poker, it has some of the finest straight grain I’ve seen on a GBD. The use of Perspex—an iconic feature itself as far as GBD pipes go—is the perfect accompaniment in this instance, given that it is translucent enough to give the bowl center stage. Based on the nomenclature and brass “GBD” rondelle, this should be a pre-1980 piece, from before the Cadogan Investments merger early in that decade.

The condition is very good. Minor inner rim darkening and a professional sterling silver repair band for a hairline fissure in the shank.

 

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.53″ / 38.86mm

Weight: 1.2oz / 36g