Medley by GBD Sandblasted Panel Pot 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. Medley was a sub-brand of GBD.

One of the best things about sub-brands for major names is that you frequently encounter old, lost shapes that would be even harder to locate if not for the increase in historical production afforded by the former (they’re also typically great value, too). This Digby is one of several shapes GBD made that featured a panel shank motif, such as the 9699 (I believe this to be a sister shape of that one, though I don’t recall the exact number), but with a traditional, round bowl, and a long shank and lumberman-style mouthpiece. It’s a quaint little sitter, and a sizeable one at that, with a craggy sandblast highlighting plenty of deep, ring grain.

The condition is good. Some rim darkening and minor finish fading.

Details:

Length: 6.6″ / 167.6mm

Bowl Width: 1.03″ / 26.16mm

Bowl Depth: 1.53″ / 38.86mm

Weight: 1.6oz / 48g