English Estates: Digby Smooth Billiard (9447) Tobacco Pipe

Forged in Paris in 1850 by three men looking to make new strides for the pipe industry, GBD was the brainchild of Ganneval, Bondier, and Donninger. Initially specializing in meerschaum pipes, GBD won 15 medals of achievement within its first 40 years. These awards set the stage for the company's success in Europe, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and the U.S.A. Eventually, in 1902, the company was sold to A. Oppenheimer & Co., which brought the business to England. A GBD seconds brand, this "9447" Billiard from Digby is a traditional take on the shape-chart standard, save for the flattened underside which makes this piece a Sitter, ideal for multitaskers. The cylindrical bowl marries a rounded shank and inky saddle stem out back, the hue of the latter complementing the dark stain dressing the smooth stummel.