Description

Alfred Dunhill Lighter Circa 1957

From our Accessories collection, we are delighted to offer this Dunhill ‘Carlton’ Spider Web Table Lighter. The Lighter Gold Plated lighter was produced in partnership with Carlton Ware with the ceramic body produced by Stoke on Trent potters Carlton (Carlton Ware). The body has been hand painted with a spider web design amongst blossoming flowers and two dragonflies. The Lighter is embossed to the front Dunhill and bears the registration number to the inside of the pivoting arm 737418. The base of the lighter is stamped Dunhill, Lighter. The Lighter dates to the middle of the 20th century circa 1957.

Carlton Ware was established in 1890 by James Frederick Wiltshaw, William Herbert Robinson and James Alcock Robinson trading under the name of Wiltshaw and Robinson. The trademark “Carlton Ware” was introduced in 1894, and the company’s factory was renamed the Carlton Works. The company changed its name multiple times and changed hands finally reaching the name ‘Carlton Ware Ltd’ in 1958. In 1966 the company was sold to Arthur Wood and Sons before coming under financial pressure in the late 1980s being forced into receivership in 1989 and production ending in 1992. In 1997 the Carlton Ware brand was resurrected by Francis Joseph of the Carlton Ware Design Centre, Roslyn Works, Stoke-on-Trent. It continues to manufacture novelty items aimed at the collectors’ market today.

Dunhill Lighters specifically the classic petrol lift arm table lighter was introduced by Dunhill in 1928 running until the introduction of gas in the 1960’s. This particular Carlton Wear example was first introduced in the Dunhill catalogue in 1957. The body was created in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent potters Carlton Ware. Carlton Ware produced three different examples to compliment the Dunhill body a fish underwater design, a chinoiserie pagoda design and the spider web as seen here.

Dunhill Alfred Dunhill was Born September 30th 1872. From 1890 Dunhill ran a company that sold motoring accessories through mail order under the name Dunhill’s Motorities. In 1902 he opened a shop on Conduit Street, Mayfair which sold clothing and accessories to chauffeurs and their employers. In 1904 he developed the “windshield pipe”, which would allow motorists to smoke whilst driving, and went on to open a tobacconist in St. James in 1907. The shop offered tailored tobacco blends and its success meant that Dunhill could expand to shops in New York and Paris in the 1920’s. With his international ambitions, Dunhill created a modern luxury goods market. In 1921 the company received its first royal warrant, as a tobacconist to Edward Prince of Wales. Dunhill also supplied Winston Churchill and Siegfried Sassoon. In 1924 Dunhill launched the “Unique Lighter” which was the world’s first lighter that could be operated with one hand. Dunhill passed the chairmanship of the company to his son Alfred Henry in 1928.

With every purchase from Mark Goodger Antiques, you will receive our latest catalogue, a Certificate of Authenticity, detailed care instructions for your chosen piece and an independent invoice (for insurance purposes) will be enclosed. As well as being protected by a no-hassle, money-back policy, your piece will be entirely insured during the shipping process to ensure the safety of your item.

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