GBD Americana 1970 Smooth Banker 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.

Though I’m not too familiar with the Americana series, I’d recognize that shape anywhere: GBD’s shape 1970, one referred, in days gone by, as a banker, or sometimes a diplomat. With its hallmark conical bowl and oval stem, the shape is often – as this one is – compact and light enough to clench while counting your profits (or, more likely, signing off those profits to the taxman).

The condition is very good. There is some rim darkening. The brass “GBD” rondelle has me thinking this is a pre-Cadogan, and therefore pre-1980 pipe, but the country of manufacture stamping has me a little unsure, so I’ll leave that judgement up to the buyer.

 

Details:

Length: 5.1″ / 129.5mm

Bowl Width: 0.78 / 19.81mm

Bowl Depth: 1.19″ / 30.22mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 40g