English Estates: GBD Flame Grain Bulldog (269) (pre-1980) Tobacco Pipe

GBD was established in 1850 in Paris, France, its name the initials of its founders, Ganneval, Bondier, and Donninger, and the company was dedicated to the manufacture of meerschaum pipes. After a number of name changes thanks to the rather unstable company hierarchy, which saw Bondier being the only remaining original member of the brand's eponymous triumvirate, GBD's main operations began being ran by August Marechal and Ferdinand Ruchon. The first 40 years of the marque's existence was marked by a staggering 15 medals of achievement for their various pipe making innovations across multiple international fairs, firmly establishing them as one of the preeminent pipe manufacturers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1902, GBD became an English company, being sold to A. Oppenheimer & Co. in London in 1902 and having since expanded into the carving of briar pipes. Over the next century, Oppenheimer & Co. acquired other iconic brands such as BBB, Orlik, Loewe & Co., and Comoy's in the 1980s. Since then, GBD's production has been handled by Cadogan, continuing the marque's pipe making legacy into the 21st century. This "296" Bulldog is a large pipe, embodying an impressive substance throughout, with a robust bowl at the fore drawing the eye. Said bowl stands atop a firm-lined heel that's sharp and pronounced in profile, the walls here flaring out to a high-set waist marked by twin beadlines, additionally denoting a taper to the rim. A wide transition leaves plenty of room to drape a digit, and gives way to a gently tapering shank paired to a sleek saddle stem. Dressed in a warm, chestnut-hued stain that's rich with contrast, the stummel here showcases handsome grain throughout, with windswept flame wrapping the bowl.