DUNHILL 1934 Crown Jubilee Cartier License Tall-Boy Pocket Lighter In Sterling Silver
Cartier License Tall-Boy lighter designed by Alfred Dunhill
This is a very rare and highly desirable tall-boy pocket petrol lighter designed by Cartier and licensed for production and retail by Alfred Dunhill through its prestigious London and Paris establishments. Carefully crafted in 1934, this elegant rectangular lighter is made in solid .925/.999 sterling silver and richly decorated with an engine-turned barley guilloché pattern.
This exceptional example belongs to the Jubilee period surrounding the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary, which officially celebrated the 25th anniversary of their accession to the British throne in 1935. The special commemorative silver hallmark introduced during 1934–1935 further identifies the piece with this important royal celebration. Of particular interest is the special royal commemorative mark displayed within an oval cartouche, adding an important historical and royal association to an already exceptionally rare Cartier–Dunhill lighter. Such commemorative examples are particularly desirable to collectors of British royal memorabilia, Cartier, Dunhill, and Art Deco smoking accessories.
The lighter features a distinctive tall-boy rectangular form with a hinged lid and secure snap closure, together with a horizontal roller ignition wheel characteristic of this sophisticated mechanical design. The engine-turned barley decoration creates a rich linear texture across the sterling silver body while maintaining the elegant, restrained character of the early Art Deco period. The lighter is preserved in excellent condition, with no dents or significant damage, and remains fully functional with a strong, healthy flame. The mechanism operates properly and the original construction and decorative details remain beautifully preserved.
Exceptionally rare, historically significant, and highly collectible, this Cartier-designed and Dunhill-retained lighter represents a remarkable combination of French design, British manufacture and retail history, royal memorabilia, and early Art Deco mechanical ingenuity. A particularly desirable commemorative example and a superb addition to an advanced collection of Cartier or Alfred Dunhill lighters.
The British Silver Jubilee
This special event, commemorated the 25th anniversary of the accession of King George V and Queen Mary to the British throne in 1910. The official Jubilee celebrations took place in 1935, marking twenty-five years of their reign. Preparations for the Jubilee began during 1934, and a special voluntary Silver Jubilee hallmark was introduced for British silver objects in anticipation of the celebrations. Silversmiths were permitted to use the commemorative hallmark on qualifying silver articles from 1934 through 1935. The commemorative mark is therefore associated with the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary and should not be interpreted as indicating that the Jubilee itself took place in 1934. Objects bearing this special hallmark are consequently of particular historical interest as products of the Jubilee period and of the British silversmithing tradition of the mid-1930s.
Country: London, England.
Period: Art-Deco, 1934.
Motif: Special edition for the Royal commemoration of the 25th anniversary silver Jubilee.
Model: Rectangular Tall-Boy, by Cartier license.
Materials: Engine turned with barley pattern and polished .925 sterling silver.
Weight: 46.20 Grams, (29.70 Dwt).
Measurements: H. 65 mm by L. 18 mm by D. 12 mm (2.56 x 0.71 x 0.47 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with British marks, the peasant lion for the city of London, the maker's mark AD, the rectangular stamped-mark for the assay and warranty of the .925/.999 silver, the gothic letter T for the assay date of 1934 and signed in full, "DUNHILL MADE IN ENGLAND CARTIER LICENSE T".
Alfred Dunhill
He inherited his father’s London saddlery in 1893. Following the increase in motor car ownership, Alfred developed the business to include motoring accessories, which he called ‘Dunhill’s Motorities’. This included goggles, timepieces, picnic sets, and leather coats, and it wasn’t long before the brand became associated with men’s general motoring attire. They opened two shops in Mayfair and had a catalogue of over 1300 items. Between the 1904 and 1905, Dunhill introduced their ‘Windshield Pipe’, to help drivers combat the effect of wind and travel on their ability to smoke. This marked both the end of the ‘motorities’ focus and their entry into the world of smoking ephemera, and they shortly opened their first tobacconist in 1907 on Duke Street. The proximity to several esteemed Private Members Clubs around the Mayfair, St James’ area ensured that the venture was a success. (From Nicholas Wells With Thanks).
Literature: Blei-Bottoni, The Dunhill Petrol Lighter "A Unique Story", Unique SRL 2004 first edition. Figure-359 Pp-247 for this model and others illustrated in sterling silver.
Note: This Dunhill-Tall-boy jubilee pocket lighter is empty of any flammable, gas or butane substances and is ready to be ship by any carrier. This lighter just need a new flint and proper lighter fluid. Was tested and is in working condition.
Condition: The overall condition of this Dunhill-Tall-boy jubilee pocket lighter is excellent. Beside the little normal wear there is no damage to the silver and is in working-display condition. All parts are secured in the settings. This piece was carefully inspected to guarantee the condition & authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D100626ANNT/1.369
