Genod

We don't know for certain: was it David Comoy or a Comoy descendant together with someone named David, who founded Comoy-David - Fabrique des Pipes - in 1865. This was done by buying and enlarging a building edified in 1809 at Nr. 13 Rue du Faubourg Marcel in Saint-Claude. Enlargements were made around 1892, and ca. 1920 another factory building was added at the adjacent parcel Nr. 15.

In 1923 Comoy-David was sold to a privity named Vincent-Genod, Duparchy & Gros. Just one year later the name was Vincent-Genod & Gros Frères.¹ Finally, in 1927 Georges Vincent-Genod became the sole proprietor. He signed his pipes "GVG", and not earlier than 1970 the brand's name was shortly "Genod".

In 1938 Vincent-Genod's son in law John Craen entered the family business. His son Jacques Craen, born 1944, is the present owner. He learned the art of pipemaking from the bottom up starting his career as an apprentice in 1959. Jacques Craen, "Jacky" for friends, often called "Monsieur Genod" by customers (and sometimes even by his workers, for simplicity's sake), took over the management in 1970.

¹ The name "Gros" appears again in connection with a brand named Gros, Grenier, Ostero & Cie. (GOC).

Under construction!