Well the display box arrived and the set is in its new home. Since these pipes were produced over more than a thirty year span, GBD probably didn’t have a set like this and I wouldn’t either but for Ebay. These Pre-Codogan, St. Claude turned, London Made, 9438 Bent Rhodesians haven’t been made since 1981 (10 of 12, The Meerschaums were made for GBD by the Tanganyika Meerschaum Corporation of African Meerschaum, long ago mined out). Finding a dozen different versions suitable for restoration took time, tenacity and more than a few anxious moments in the last seconds of some auctions but the reward was worth it. The box is just the frosting on the cake but really adds focus to the set. These pipes are not rare but not common either. What makes this set somewhat unique is that each pipe is a distinctly different expression of the same style number and all were made during a period when GBD was considered a “Premium” pipe maker. I started acquiring them because I liked how they smoked. Over time that morphed into a quest for all the examples of the type I could find. You have love it when a plan comes together even better than originally intended.
Now I need to find a box for my French Made versions. And yes, my wife calls it compulsive but I prefer to think of it as “goals oriented”. Same affliction but sounds better!
Now I need to find a box for my French Made versions. And yes, my wife calls it compulsive but I prefer to think of it as “goals oriented”. Same affliction but sounds better!
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