GBD Millenium Unique (1980)

[ssjones]

I'm friends with Jason Bard (Bard's Vintage Briar) and he is a member of our local club. He always has some interesting pipes and a few months ago, he showed a large group of "Unique" pipes. He knows I love GBD's and sent me pictures of this pipe, which he will be listing on Sunday. It's out of my price range, but should be fun to watch.
The pipe is another Unique, but this one is a Millenium with a gold band that is hallmarked to 1980. So, it would be one of the last before the merger in 1982 (or '81?). Look at the grain on this one!
The last Millenium I saw was sold by Dave Need on his website. That one sold for $575, but had faded nomenclature and overall wasn't nearly in this condition.
This one brought $1079 in 2010, but pictures are no longer available.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GBD-MILLENNIUM-PIPE-GIGANTIC-SG-18K-GOLD-MASTERPIECE-/200423796990?rmvSB=true&cmd=ViewItem&hash=item2eaa3070fe&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

 

[dulgunz]

DAM!! Very nice with beautiful grain. I think I just threw up a little on the price!

 

[settersbrace]

Someone got a bargain I'd say. That thing is beautiful.

 

[ssjones]

The pipe in question hasn't been put on Ebay yet, but it will be fun to watch (wonder how many retracted bids it will garner?)

 

[danielplainview]

Good lord. That's a gorgeous pipe. Maybe we could all pitch in on a time share for it.

 

[mranglophile]

Super stunning...thanks for sharing.

 

[jkrug]

Wow...that's a real beauty! I'm curious to see what the winning bid will be? ::

 

[walt24]

I'm new to this forum, but I own that particular pipe. I didn't pay anyway near the price you are talking about. If I remember correctly just slightly over 400.00, UNSMOKED, and you are right it is stunning.
Walt24

 

[ssjones]

Welcome to the forum. You own a beautiful and Unique(!) GBD at a very nice price for that pipe.
Now the $100,000 question - will you smoke it?
Personally, I don't think that I could!

 

[walt24]

I own a number of stunning GBD Uniques. I bought my first GBD in 1964. I haven't decided if I'm going to smoke it or not. But I probably will sooner or later. I agree they are overlooked as a excellent pipe. My only problem is I consider to small on average for my taste.

 

[walt24]

I own a number of stunning GBD Uniques. I bought my first GBD in 1964. I haven't decided if I'm going to smoke it or not. But I probably will sooner or later. I agree they are overlooked as a excellent pipe. My only problem is I consider to small on average for my taste.

 

[ssjones]

Yes, that one was a smaller than a typical Unique. Jason had about dozen or so Uniques to restore at our last club meeting. That one of course did not need much work.

 

[walt24]

I do have some questions about three of my Unique's One is a large all wood calabash, the bowl screws off it is numbered 110/5. I have had this pipe for over 40 years. The other two are even older. I got them off e-bay, the seller said that both are 1950's era and were from his personal collection one is a slanted bowl with two rusticated ovals at each side of the bottom of the bowl, it is stamped Unique GBD Virgin 3. The other is stamped GBD Unique 2
Thanks

Walter

 

[ssjones]

They were all one-off's, so it's hard to tell you much. I can't recall numbered Uniques. Member "neverbend" is the GBD/Unique expert, he bought and sold many Uniques thru his Marble Arch Importing business, you might want to PM him.

 

[mcitinner1]

Please post pictures!!

 

[walt24]

I have to learn how first.

 

[walt24]

I looked at 6 of my Unique's, they all have either a number or a letter.

Is there a book or some place to look for information?
Walter

 

[ssjones]

I'm not at home, but Hackers "Rare Smoke" describes the Uniques line, but I don't believe to any great detail. I'm afraid that most of the information disappeared with the passing of Hory Jameson.

 

[mso489]

walt, the workmanship on that baby just exudes attention to detail in every way, grain, stain, shaping and gold band. The "keel" distracts me somewhat, but I guess it had to be completely unique in some way. It almost looks like a musical instrument or yacht.