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*'''White Ring''' -- Y ? Introduced in 1980(?), orangish-brown color. "Originally conceived as a GBD Branded pipe, we felt that this beautiful new color in combination with white acrylic collar could be the pride of your store with your own logo." -catalog ( 1980 ). This style was listed under "Private Brand Pipes" in the catalog which means that GBD would stamp a custom name of the pipe, often the name of a pipe shop or chain.
*'''White Ring''' -- Y ? Introduced in 1980(?), orangish-brown color. "Originally conceived as a GBD Branded pipe, we felt that this beautiful new color in combination with white acrylic collar could be the pride of your store with your own logo." -catalog ( 1980 ). This style was listed under "Private Brand Pipes" in the catalog which means that GBD would stamp a custom name of the pipe, often the name of a pipe shop or chain.
*'''Wimbledon''' -- (?) Y ? -
*'''Wimbledon''' -- (?) Y ? -
=== Miscellaneous information: ===
In addition to the pipe line and shape information stamped on the pipe GBD also had codes for plus sized pipes. These codes in ascending order of size were...
*Conquest
*Collector
*Colossus
Perspex refers to the lucite/acrylic bit material GBD used, the clear bits used on various models are Perspex.
Metal rondelles were discontinued after the merger with Comoy.
'''Note:''' The information presented on this page is the sum total of my knowledge about the subject ( sad isn't it? ). I am not connected to GBD in anyway except for having a few of their pipes... :-)
I am interested in buying older GBDs at reasonable prices, specifically any of the Bulldog or Rhodesian shapes. At this time I do not have any GBDs that I wish to sell or trade.
=== Collection of relevant newsgroup posts ===
Below are some edited messages pulled from the a.s.p. newsgroup pertaining to GBD identification.
Author: Gregory Pease, Email: glp@netcom.com, Date: 1996/05/18, Forums: alt.smokers.pipes
Dating GBD's is difficult.  On older pieces with hallmarked silver
bands, one can look up the hallmark.  Once GBD and Comoy's became one,
the linear "Made in England" stamp became the round "Made in London
England" stamp used on all later Comoys.
Even the stem is not a sure-fire method.  All the way through the 1960's
and early 1970's, some pipes were ftted with moulded stems, while others
were hand-cut.  Not all hand-cut stems are marked as such, and it
doesn't depend on grade.  (In my collection is one of the finest
Pedigrees I've ever seen.  It is unsmoked, made in the 1960's, and has
one of the poorest moulded stems I've ever seen on a production pipe!
But, the wood would make a Dunhill DRH, or a Charatan Coronation blush!)
That said, you can be assured that if the stem has a painted GBD
rondelle, rather than a silver or brass one set into the stem, that it
is a late-model, made after the merge with Comoy.  These were the
beginning of the dark-days for GBD (and Comoy, for that matter) in my
opinion.
In some cases, the grade gives some clues.  Xtras haven't been made
since the 1930's, for instance, and the Century was first introduced
some time in the 1960's or 1970's as I recall, from what scant literature
I've been able to acquire.  GBD introduced new shapes and dropped shapes
almost every year it seems (an exaggeration, I'm sure), so if you had a
lot of shape charts, you might be able to find a range.
Author: Gregory Pease, Email: skydog@value.net, Date: 1997/05/06, Forums: alt.smokers.pipes
...In a circa 1973 chart which I have, here are the descriptions of the
higher grades:
*Virgin -- "Only the finest of closely grained briar is utilized for this exceptional pipe.  Natural finish"
*Century -- "A golden finish created to celebrate over a century of manufacturing the finest briar pipes."
*New Era -- "The beauty of this pipe's perfect briar is accentuated by the richness of the 'take-off' dual finish."
*Prestige -- "This pipe features a black handcut perspex mouthpiece which precludes discoloration and 'bad taste' after continual smoking. Only the finest of the fine-grained bowls are selected for this handsome matt virgin finished briar."
*Prehistoric Perspex -- "The deep sandblasting sillhouettes the grain in bold relief.  The crystal clear mouthpiece creates an attractive contrast to the deep dark finish."
==== Below are some e-mails I have received about GBDs ====
Date: Fri, 27 Nov 1998 08:29:06 -0800, From: "Albert A. Grosskopf" (grosskopf@usfca.edu), Subject: GBD
Hi Jerry,
I just took a look at your web page. Here's a little information on GBD. In October, 1996, Mike Hagley had some info of GBD which I downloaded. Here's his list in probable descending order of grade:
*Pedigree
*Pedigree I
*Pedigree II
*Straight Grain
*Prodigy
*Bronze Velvet
*Virgin
*Varichrome
*Prestige
*Jubilee
*New Era
*Prehistoric
*International
*Universe
*Speciale Standard
*Ebony
*Tapestry
*New Standard
*Granitan
*Sauvage
*Sierra
*Penthouse
*Legacy
*Concorde
Mike got his information from GBD catalogs 1976 to 1980. I personally have in my collection three beautiful Pedigrees, a bent, a bulldog, and a prince. The grain is unmatched and womderful. I also have an interesting Prodigy Sandflame, half bent tan sandblast free form with plateau top. I think it's an unusual shape for a GBD. That's about the extent of my GBDs. Nice going on your data gathering. I look forward to the results. Keep up the good work and happy puffing. Al Grosskopf
Date: Mon, 07 Dec 1998 09:26:50 -0500, From: Terry Hagley (hagley@zoomnet.net), Subject: Your GBD page
Jerry,
Nice to see someone actually DO something with a GBD page, rather than just talk about it. At any rate, as a GBD collector for 25 years, I'm happy to see this.
For decades, the largest GBD (and Charatan) retailer in the world was Smoker's Haven in Columbus, Ohio, when it was owned by Joe Ziev, mid-40s to mid 80s. (The shops bearing that name in Columbus today are pale imitations; Joe sold out in the 80's to two architects who ran the business into the ground and sold the name to two other persons). SH carried about 5,000 pipes in stock, and many of the odd shapes GBD made were done for Smoker's Haven. Jack Tompkins and Frank Nagy are good sources for rememberances of the old days at SH.
A few comments:
* In addition to the pipe line and shape information stamped on the pipe
* GBD also had codes for plus sized pipes. These codes in ascending order
* of size were...
* Conquest
* Collector
* Colossus
* My understanding is that these larger size codes were primarily used on
* their higher grade pipes such as Virgins and Pedigrees.
Your size codes are correct, and in proper order, BUT they were not restricted to the higher grades, but used all through the line, from Rockroot on up. I have even seen Digby's marked Colossus.
* Perspex refers to the clear acrylic bit material GBD used on various models.
*Correct. Perspex was a patented/trademarked name for lucite/acrylic.
*The metal rondelle set into the bit can help identify the age of the pipe,
*if the rondel is silver or gold the pipe is pre '70s.
FALSE. The color of the metal inlay has nothing to do with age. I know where you are getting this info, and have asked the person who says this what his authority is. He admits he has none, other than a guess. A metal logo does mean the pipe predates the late 80s, and that's about the only conclusion one can draw.
My brother Mike went through his old SH flyers, and the list someone forwarded to you is accurate.
Bill Unger, who is sec'y of the NASPC is a great source for GBD info, as the central Ohio are is a good place to turn up GBDs. Joe Ziev was a pioneer in mail order, having a mailing list worldwide of more than 10,000 names, so GBDs at least during his time, were widely sold, but many many are still in Ohio.
I will go through your list of finishes later and make comments on them, to add to your descriptions.
Terry
I received another e-mail from Terry listing several finish descriptions, I've added this info to the page and have noted his input with a -TH, I've also corrected the items Terry mentioned in his e-mail.
Thanks Terry!
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From: "Tim Bender"
To: jhanna@ionet.net
Subject: GBD pipe shapes
Date: Fri, 05 Feb 1999 10:39:10 PST
I have a GBD prestige, shape number 335, which is absent from your shape
chart. It is an apple shape, with a straight stem and round shank.
Hopefully you will be able to use this in the chart.
--Tim
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From: Paul + Deena Roe
To: jhanna@ionet.net
Subject: GBD Midnight
Hi Jerry,
I recently purchased a #9436 Midnight, a line that I do not
find listed in your research.  Appearance dictates that it
is probably a second (?).  Do you have any information on
the line?
Thank you,
Paul
Libby, MT
pdroe@homer.libby.org
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From: Paul + Deena Roe
To: jhanna@ionet.net
Subject: Midnight
Hi Jerry,
Re:  9436 Midnight Straight Billiard
More descriptive information for you--since this estate pipe has
not been smoked much, I think the finish has not been affected
by usage:  dark brown smooth.   
The saddle stem logo is a white paint on. The stem is a rather inexpensive
looking pearlescent material (not very attractive in my eyes).
I have a few shape numbers for you that I did not see listed--I
have a:
255  Pedigree Canadian Billiard Vulc Saddle
357  Rockroot Quarter Bent Plum Vulc (sold as Plum not Prince)           
549  International Quarter Bent Bulldog Vulc
667  Rockroot Half Bent Pear (?) Vulc
2006 New Standard Bulldog Straight Vulc
2006 Sierra Bulldog Straight Vulc
2871 Century Quarter Bent Dublin Vulc
9464 Speciale Lovat Saddle Vulc
9552 Fantasy Collector Calabash Full Lucite
9564 Virgin Conquest Bent Dublin Freeform Vulc Danish Stem
Thanks for putting this endeavor together.  It is appreciated.
Paul
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From Terry Hagley
Hey Jerry I was checking out your page when I noticed that I have two GBD
shapes you don't list:
256 - Canadian - straight - oval/saddle
7002 - Dublin - 1/4 bent - military push
If you need them, I can send scans for your perusal. Thanks for providing the
info you have, and keep appreciating those GBD pipes!
Reg'ds,
Terry
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From: Paul + Deena Roe
To: jhanna@ionet.net
Subject: Xtra
Hi Jerry,
I just secured an unsmoked Xtra today, and thought I would give
you a description of the pipe for your edification:
The finish, in my opinion, is a medium reddish smooth.  The grain is "nice",
with some birdeye, but not exceptional.  The pipe
is a #1331, which is a straight billiard.  The stem has a gold
rondelle, and I am ignorant relative to molded vs cut, but it is
nicely formed and joins well with the shank.  The shank is stamped London England.
Thanks for all the information you have provided.  I have put the
information to good use in purchasing GBDs.
BTW, the #667 Rock Root I described to you earlier as a possible
pear is a 1/2 billiard, I have been told by those that have more
knowledge than I.
With appreciation,
Paul Roe
Libby, MT
pdroe@homer.libby.org
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From: Jeff Folloder
Subject: GBD's
Jerry,
I was perusing your page and have another shape number for you.  My
father gave me a bunch of his pipes from the 70's to clean up (and keep
cuz he don't smoke no mo).  One of them is a GBD Century.  It is a Group
3ish size billiard with a standard taper/fishtail stem.  The shape
number is 4121.  Hope this helps!
--
Jeff Folloder
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Date: Wed, 03 Feb 1999 18:30:38 -0600
From: Bill Jones
Subject: GBD models
I have some contributions of models/shapes not included so far:
Original, 2006, bulldog, medium brown smooth, straight diamond saddle
shank.  Gold metal rondelle in stem.  London, England.  About Group 3
size.
Sieur, 719, billiard, smooth/sandblast, 1/8 bent broad saddle stem.
Gold metal rondelle in stem (but now lifted out).  London, England.  It
seems the Sieur were rounded billiards, stained dark brown, mostly
sandblast, with a smooth ring a la that on a bulldog but instead very
broad, here about 10 mm.  Also smooth on the bottom of the stem, with
some carving instead of sandblast near where it meets the bit.  This one
has a saddle bit and shank that is Canadian-style but squared off on the
sides.  About Group 4 size.
Also I have a GBD Standard, 110, which you describe as a pot.  Mine is
an only-slightly-squat billiard.  Shank is straight as is the stem, with
saddle bit.  Finish is dark brown sandblast, but smooth and flat on the
bottom of the stem (so it will sit).  Gold metal rondelle in stem.
London, England.  About Group 3 size.
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Date: Thu, 04 Feb 1999 19:21:57 -0200
From: "Frank R. C. Ferreira"
Subject: GBD pipes
Dear Jerry,
it was very nice to find such an interesting page devoted to pipes like yours.
I'm a proud owner of a GBD pipe, too. It's similar to Savinelli's model 601.
On the left side, there's the GBD logo by the side of the word "CHEVREUSE",
both carved. On the right side, also carved, there's the words "ST CLAUDE"
on top of the number "1025". On the left side of the black plastic mouthpiece,
near the briar, shines the GBD logo, in golden brass. The finish is natural,
smooth and the veins form a very beautiful design. The briar has darkened
after all these years of smoking, but I remember it was very clear when I
first met this piece.
This pipe was a gift a nice young lady brought me from England, in the
early 70's. If possible, I'd like to read comments about this pipe.
Best regards!
Frank Ferreira
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Date: Sun, 01 Aug 1999 09:11:18 -0400
From: John Seiler
Subject: gbd export
i have a GBD Export, not listed on your table,,,also, the gbd emblem has
a verticle piece outside the logo on the top and bottom...i have
attached a picture for your information.
shape no. 8641
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From: SHUSE23@aol.com
Date: Sun, 1 Aug 1999 13:06:13 EDT
Subject: GBD Pipes
Mr. Hanna,
I have a GBD shape that can be added to the shape chart.  The pipe is a
Virgin shape #789 which is a straight pot, the pipe is small length is 5"
depth of the bowl is 1.5" inside dia. of bowl 1" outside dia. 1.5" shank dia.
is 1/2".  The pipe has the linear Made in England stamp and the brass oval
GBD in the stem, stem is molded.  I bought the pipe last year, unsmoked, and
the shop where I bought it told me they had found when cleaning out one of
their storerooms and they believed it was an early to mid 1960's pipe, it
also came with the original box and sleeve.  The pipe is a great smoker.  I
hope this helps you in your search for GBD knowledge.
Steve Huse
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