GBD New Era Smooth Billiard 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.

The New Era was one of GBD’s higher end series, with GBD touting these pipes as having “perfect briar” and a smooth “dual finish” that brought out the natural grain patterns underneath. I wasn’t able to locate the shape number on this one, but if memory serves, it’s likely a 133, one of GBD’s “large billiard” models. In light of the stamping and brass Rondelle, this will be a pre-1980 GBD, before the Cadogan Investments merger that brought so many English makes under one roof.

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

Details:

Length: 5.8″ / 147.3mm

Bowl Width: 0.82 / 20.82mm

Bowl Depth: 1.56″ / 39.62mm

Weight: 1.4oz / 42g