GBD Speciale 107

[tybo480]

I recently got a GBD Speciale with the shape number 107. i cant find any information on the pipe but i was told by a guy at a pipe shop i brought it to that it was probably one of the most valuable and rare pipes in my collection. can anyone give me any more information on the history or the shape of the pipe?

 

[SocWorkerSmoker]

Disclaimer: I have been collecting GBDs for only a short period of time, so please take the following with a grain of salt.

It is my understanding the the Speciale grade GBD is a French made medium grade pipe made in the late 60s to mid 70s. The grade of pipes made during that era are as following, with the first being highest 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. Note that your pipe grade, Speciale Standard, is about in the middle. It is also my understanding that GBDs that have a higher monetary value are those made before the 60s (especially with silver) and from the 60s and 70s that are Pedigree and Uniques. I have seen Uniques for sale for up to $1000 and mint to near mint Pedegree for $300. If my information is correct, you have yourself a very nice medium grade GBD. Again, I could be way off the mark with my information. I would be curious to hear what other people know about the Speciale grade GBDs

Cheers
SWS

 

[glpease]

I recently got a GBD Speciale with the shape number 107. i cant find any information on the pipe but i was told by a guy at a pipe shop i brought it to that it was probably one of the most valuable and rare pipes in my collection. can anyone give me any more information on the history or the shape of the pipe?

Speciales are relatively common, and are a very good, mid-range GBD. Some of my best smoking GBDs, in fact, are France-made Speciales. This shape, however, is quite uncommon - in fact, it's the only one I've ever seen. But, in GBD's history, they've made a great many shapes I've never seen. So, you have what is likely a fine smoking pipe in a good grade, and an uncommon shape. Rare? Maybe. Valuable? That's harder to say. Its apparent relative rarity does, probably, increase its value somewhat over a more pedestrian Speciale, but it's not going to command dollars that would make the payment on a new yacht.

All that aside, it's a really cool piece, and one you should be happy to have. It will give you decades of smoking enjoyment. I'd say that makes it very valuable, indeed.

 

[SocWorkerSmoker]

Mr. Pease

Let me first say that I am not in the habit of gushing so please excuse the following, in which I will be gushing . You pretty much inspired me to collect GBDs. I started collecting GBDs after seeing the amazing collection of GBDs that you have amassed and that you have posted on your site and linked to pipedia.com. In fact, I specifically started looking for Rhodesians after seeing how amazing yours looked. I now have two, one in fact is a Speciale and the other is a Congress (which is a grade I can't find any information about). Since I completely bow to your expertise, would you mind telling me if I have my information correct that I posted in this thread regarding GBD grades and pricing. End gushing here :bounce:

Cheers
SWS

 

[glpease]

Mr. Pease

Let me first say that I am not in the habit of gushing so please excuse the following, in which I will be gushing . You pretty much inspired me to collect GBDs. I started collecting GBDs after seeing the amazing collection of GBDs that you have amassed and that you have posted on your site and linked to pipedia.com. In fact, I specifically started looking for Rhodesians after seeing how amazing yours looked. I now have two, one in fact is a Speciale and the other is a Congress (which is a grade I can't find any information about). Since I completely bow to your expertise, would you mind telling me if I have my information correct that I posted in this thread regarding GBD grades and pricing. End gushing here :bounce:

So, you're the one buying up all the good GBDs? Now, no more gushing.

I'm really no expert on these things. The grading scale is difficult, at the very least, to figure out, partly because models came and went, and grades were "altered" at times. The Speciales I have are beautiful examples of briar craft, and though they probably don't rank quite as high as the Virgins, overall, they're at least New Era quality, which would put them fairly high in the range. But, they're French, and for some reason, people don't respect French pipes as much as English pipes.

Oh, but they're not ALL French, either. I've got at least one London made Speciale, and a French made New Era. So much for that theory.

What I've done is concentrated on Pedigrees, Virgins, New Eras, Speciales, Xtras, the occasional Prehistoric (some of which were truly exceptional), and some odd ducks, like a Mandarin prince with near-perfect straight grain. All the seemingly thousands of middle-line and low grades just don't fascinate me, probably because it's too much for my little brain to keep track of.

I've seen Uniques sell for ridiculously high prices, but, then again, they're rare, often amazing, and occasionally, made from spectacular wood. (Watch them, though, as many I've seen have had fills the size of Tycho crater in them.) They did a Millennium range with gold bands that seem to be particularly spendy. Must be the gold, or the fact that the pipes survived the y2k fiasco without incident. (Yes. I know the new millennium actually commenced in 2001. Apparently, GBD did not, as the Millennium pipes I've seen are hallmarked ca. 1978. I'm not sure what they might commemorate.)

One could collect GBDs forever, and never see the full breadth of their offerings. Of course, many aren't really worth collecting, but even sticking to the better grades can keep you pretty busy. There are some really nice examples on ebay all the time. *sigh*

What's a boy to do?

Cheers,
Greg

 

[SocWorkerSmoker]

Mr. Pease

Thank you very kindly for your response and sharing your knowledge about GBDs. It is very interesting about the varying country of origin of the Speciale. I would have assumed they were all French made. Go figure.

So far, I have amassed (I used that word in jest) a pedigree poker, a Speciale Rhodesian, a Congress Rhodesian, a prehistoric 3/4 billiard (with what looks to me like great grain rings showing from the sandblast), and a colossus calabash (which was one of my first pipes and one that I inherited from my father). All of them appear to be pre-merger as evidenced by the brass rondelle and nomenclature indicative of pre-merger pipes.

So, regarding your question, "what's a boy to do", I say, collect more GBDs

Now, off to smoke some Westminster in the Speciale Rodesian

Cheers,
A loyal fan of GLP tobaccos (opps, I gushed again. My bad )
SWS

 

[glpease]

Thank you very kindly for your response and sharing your knowledge about GBDs. It is very interesting about the varying country of origin of the Speciale. I would have assumed they were all French made. Go figure.

Most of them are, as far as I can tell. Interestingly, the French Speciales rank amongst my best tasting GBDs. I assume different wood sources, but who knows? They're especially wonderful with virginias. All part of the boundless mystery of pipes.

So, regarding your question, "what's a boy to do", I say, collect more GBDs

Now, off to smoke some Westminster in the Speciale Rodesian

Agreed! If I could focus on just one marque of pipes, it would be so much easier...

Cheers,
Greg