GBD Pedigree 9260 Smooth Zulu 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.

One of GBD’s earliest slogans was “Pipes with a Pedigree”, which certainly wasn’t wrong, but the “Pedigree” line itself was a cut above even GBD’s other pipes. This is something eminently clear from this Pedigree grade Zulu, whose straight grain is some of the finest I’ve seen on any GBD (which is already a very distinguished make), and which would easily rival a Dunhill Dead Root or a Comoy’s Specimen. As evinced by its “LONDON ENGLAND” country of manufacture stamping and brass “GBD” rondelle, this will be a pre-1980 make, from before GBD, BBB, Comoy’s, and various other makes were consolidated following the Cadogan Investments merger of the early 1980s. In other words, it’s a pipe that should appeal to appreciators of fine English pipes as well as collectors of them.

The condition is very good. Some darkening and wear to the inner rim and slight residual oxidation on the vulcanite stem.

 

Details:

Length: 6.2″ / 157.4mm

Bowl Width: 0.81 / 20.57mm

Bowl Depth: 1.38″ / 35.05mm

Weight: 0.9oz / 26g