Dunhill: Difference between revisions

Highly innovative, Alfred starts his new journey in 1907(7 July. Most likely 9 or 10 September)<ref name=balfour7>Balfour, Michael. (1992). Alfred Dunhill, One Hundred Years and More (p.44). London, Weidenfield and Nicolson.</ref>., exploring his other interests by opening a cigar and tobacco shop in London on Duke Street-31A. The Duke Street shop sold hand-blended tobaccos, cigars and Dunhill-made cigarettes. It would take three years for Dunhill to start his pipe manufacturing, in the meantime, he marketed third-party pipes (French or obtained from English wholesalers like [[Charatan]]).

Alfred did not know much about the tobacco business but was learning as he dealt with his clients. Of keen sensitivity, he soon realized that most of the pipes available on the market were of low quality and that he could market better quality products at twice the price. In the early days, Alfred faced some financial problems, like most traders at the beginning of their ventures. His tobacco shop wasn't the only one in the area. There was strong competition, but his competitors lacked quality offerings. Alfred exploited this market deficiency, establishing a new standard of quality and service.<ref name=loring4>Loring, J. C. ('90s). Dunhill Pipe Tobacco: 1907 – 1990. Chicago: Loring Page [http://loringpage.com/]</ref>

At first, the focus was on tobaccos. As he defined in his first catalogue, published in 1910, called "About Smoke ", he was an expert in making blends, which he exhibited prominently in his entry window: "Tobacco specialist". Alfred Dunhill was a born merchant, and when he opened his first tobacco shop, he knew exactly where he wanted it to go.<ref name=loring4>Loring, J. C. ('90s). Dunhill Pipe Tobacco: 1907 – 1990. Chicago: Loring Page [http://loringpage.com/]</ref> In the following images - probably taken by Alfred, we have his three assistants (Bill Carter on the left, Mr Jelley and Mr McEwan) with whom he shared the tasks. He used to go to the store every day in the afternoon. The second colour image (the third in order), is part of Dunhill's Centennial commemoration Set of 2007.