The GBD Collectors Thread

[danielplainview]

Post some pictures in the show off thread. Let's see those beauts.
Thanks bonehed. That info must have been recently added to the site. I don't remember any mention of the newer GBD's with rhondelles.

 

[ssjones]

Well, here's yet another 9456, a Granitan model that I recently restored.

And a curious City DeLuxe "Gold Star" that is also stamped "Jollyboy". It has a Reg No. 6918829, but I couldn't find anything on that number. I've seen this shape before, but can't remember where. It is also the first City Deluxe I've worked on that did not have a twin-bore stem. This one just took a minor clean-up.



Both pipes now belong to forum member scrooge.

 

[michail]

Love the Rhodesians of the topic, amazing aesthetics.

 

[jguss]

Sorry I missed this before, but the Jollyboy was indeed a special shape of the City de Luxe pipe. It was introduced at the end of 1922 or the start of 1923, and the sales pitch was this:
"If you are inclined to be a "wet smoker," and many smokers are, you will welcome the introduction of the "Jollyboy" illustrated below.

This pipe has been especially designed by the makers of the well-known GBD pipes, to prevent the nicotine-laden moisture in the stem of the pipe reaching the mouth of the smoker. This advantage, obtained by a specially constructed bowl and stem, does not depend on any patent cartridge or filter, and combines the best features of a Bent and a Straight Pipe. It is light for its size, does not drag on the teeth, and as the bowl is well below eye level it is particularly suitable for Golfers and Billiard Players."
Like the other shapes within the City de Luxe catalog, it sold for 5/6. The reg. number, which reflects the design, was there from the beginning.

 

[ssjones]

That is interesting information Jon. Back in those days, it was all about a dry smoke, achieved primarily via a stinger of sorts. This Jollyboy now belongs to member Scrooge, I wonder how it smoked.

 

[jguss]

Anecdotally I've heard they smoke well. But there are so few floating around it's really tough to say. And yes, I agree; it's yet another approach to eliminating moisture; a popular and perennial fixation of that era.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Just noted the "suitable for golfers and billiards players". While I think I could shoot pool with a lit pipe clenched, not so with anything but a putter. I'm afraid I'd bite the button off on the first tee.
And I believe in that era, at least in GB, gentlemen wore jackets and ties while pursuing the little white pellet.

 

[rblood]

Picked up these pipes at a junk shop. I don't usually look for GBD but these just spoke to me.
GBD Unique

Digby 357

May have gotten myself hooked on GBDs.

 

[ssjones]

The blast on that Unique is amazing abd the 357 is a classic GBD shape. What finds!

 

[misterlowercase]

A Unique Briar,

no doubt about that!

Truth in advertising at it's best.
Magnificent blast,

and one of the most appealing "stack" shapes I've seen.
Congrats!
Love the Digby prince too,

perefectly executed shaping I'd say.
Enjoy them well!

::

 

[danielplainview]

Is the Unique an NOS pipe? With the original box found at an antique store? Wow!!
More pics please.

 

[pitchfork]

I only have the one GBD. Actually, it's an MRC ("A. Marechal, Ruchon and Cie" ) with silver army mount and amber stem. The silver is marked "AO" for A. Oppenheimer & Co., who by that time owned GBD. The date mark is for 1916.

 

[danielplainview]

Pitchfork that pipe is gorgeous. Pushing 100 years old and unsmoked? Unbelievable.

 

[danielplainview]

Found a new Shape chart.

 

[pitchfork]

Yep, unsmoked. I do plan to smoke it, but haven't just yet.

 

[tuold]

When the chart says "English only" or "French only", what does that mean, and why did it matter?

 

[pitchfork]

Hadn't noticed that, tuold. That's really interesting. It must mean that certain shapes are only made in France or only made in England, but would that mean that other shapes are produced in both countries? I'm trying to imagine why that would matter to the buyer.

 

[cobguy]

The GBD Prehistoric (9437) with Perspex stem has become one of my favorite English blend smokers.
It's one of only two pipes that I can fit my thumb into.

I also have this Prehistoric Billiard (9489) also with Perspex stem which is a great Va/Per pipe:

 

[ssjones]

For a long time, I was very particular about my GBD's, they had to be stamped "London,England". The French shapes are a little different and I've since learned they smoke just as good as the London made pipes. (ie the two 9438 shapes are decidedly different)

 

[ssjones]

Here is a good example of differences on a 9242, from France and England.
This is dolomite128's French made 9242

And my 9242 New Standard.