Dunhill (Alfred Dunhill Co.) ( England) lighters

Cigarette lighters can be subdivided into three types: pocket lighters, table lighters and compact lighters with cases.

Dunhill is the most popular and desirable name for collectors. Their first lighter was released in the early 1920s and they are still producing today.

Other collectable manufacturers are Ronson, who have been making lighters for over 100 years and invented the automatic lighter in 1926, and Zippo, which was founded in 1932.

Lighter collectors should look for inset watches or concealed features such as compacts.

Early lighters were powered by naphtha, a petroleum mixture, and these are more desirable than the butane more... gas lighters, that were introduced in the late 1940s.

Lighters made from precious materials, often by jewelers, or those in novelty shapes such as aeroplanes and animals are popular. Wear to plating or loss of parts of covering will affect value detrimentally, as will dents or splits. Replaced parts will also affect value. less...

Alfred Dunhill Ltd was founded in London in 1893 as a motoring accessories business.

In the 1900s, the company expanded into luxury tobacco goods. As cigarette smoking took off in the 1920s and ’30s, Dunhill became one of the most famous names in the field, opening shops in Paris, New York and Toronto and expanding into menswear, toiletries and other areas, but it is with smoking accessories that the firm is most notably associated.

Dunhill was particularly known for lighters, most famously the Unique lighter, launched in the early 1920s with the slogan ‘The lighter that changed public opinion’. Coming more... in various designs, the Unique could be operated with one hand; its design lessened the risk of petrol evaporation and it rarely needed filling. Dunhill also developed the first butane gas powered lighter.

Dunhill began manufacturing cigarettes in 1963. In 1967, Carreras Tobacco Company acquired a 51% interest in the company, and the company is currently owned by Compagnie Financière Richemont SA, a Swiss based luxury goods manufacturer whose brands include Baume & Mercier (watches) Cartier (jewellery and watches) IWC (watches), Montblanc (pens), Piaget (watches and jewellery)

Alfred Dunhill have retail emporiums for men in the major cities of London, Shanghai and Tokyo, and Hong Kong, referred to as the 'Homes of Alfred Dunhill'. As well being a retail outlet for Dunhill goods, these 'Homes' offer a range of services including a bespoke tailoring service, barber’s shop, fine wine cellars, bar or restaurant, screening room, and spa.

Dunhill's current product range includes men's luxury leather goods, writing implements, lighters, timepieces, fragrances and clothing. less...

Alfred Dunhill, Ltd. is a British luxury goods company founded in 1893 by Alfred Dunhill. The company is known for its high-quality products, including tobacco, leather goods, luggage, pens, and watches. Alfred Dunhill was born in London in 1872. He was the son of a saddler, and he began his working life as an apprentice to a leather goods manufacturer. In 1893, he opened his own shop in London, selling motoring accessories. The shop was a success, and Dunhill soon expanded his range of products to include tobacco, leather goods, and luggage.

Dunhill was a pioneer in the field more... of tobacco, and he is credited with developing the first modern cigarette lighter. He also introduced a number of new tobacco blends, including the famous Dunhill Nightcap.

In the 1920s, Dunhill began to expand his business internationally, and he opened shops in New York, Paris, and other major cities. Over the years, Dunhill continued to diversify its offerings, adding luxury men's clothing, accessories, and fragrances to its repertoire. The brand became synonymous with sophisticated British style, catering to an affluent and discerning clientele. The company continued to grow in the following decades, and it became one of the leading luxury goods brands in the world.

In the latter part of the 20th century, Dunhill went through various ownership changes. In 1963, the company was acquired by the Swiss-based Richemont Group, a luxury goods conglomerate. Under Richemont's ownership, Dunhill expanded its international presence, opening flagship stores in major cities worldwide. less...