Pipes like this really don't get the recognition they deserve. Older GBDs are often ignored by the pipe collecting masses; however, 'those in the know' treasure these pipes for what they are. What are they? Well, excellent pipes for the money. Crafted back when ethics mattered, these are pipes I would put up any day against top-grade Comoys, Sasienis, or in some cases even Dunhills. Find out why.
Recently, we were lucky to find a cache of pipes dating from the mid 1960's to early 1970's, including a number of unsmoked pieces from BBB, Savinelli and a variety of other makers. There were also a large number of estate pipes in that lot, all dating to the same time frame.
This particular piece is an unsmoked 1970's GBD Virgin in a classic saddle billiard shape. The Virgin finish was to GBD what the London Pride was to Comoy, or the Four Dot Natural was to Sasieni - a top-graded smooth, no fills, very few if any pits, and good grain. This particular example features a crosscut graining pattern and colouring reminiscent of a brand new Dunhill Root. The pipe has a medium-sized chamber, with a hand-cut vulcanite saddle bit featuring a silver-toned GBD rondelle.
Markings read: GBD (in oval), VIRGIN, LONDON ENGLAND, 392. Original stem has metal GBD rondelle. Measurements: 5 3/4" long, bowl is just under 1 3/8" wide and 1 3/4" tall. The pipe weighs 32 grams. This one is about a Dunhill group 4 in capacity.
Condition:
9.85 out of 10. Unsmoked after all these years and ready to fire up, but there are a couple very light handling marks here and there. Nothing serious.
