Charatan Pipes – The Origins of the Brand
In 1863, Frederick Charatan, a Russian-Jewish immigrant, opened his first shop in Mansell Street, London, where he crafted meerschaum pipes. Increasing demand soon led him to move to a larger workshop in Prescot Street, where he began the production of briar pipes, which made the Charatan name known worldwide. Charatan was the first brand to manufacture fully handcrafted briar pipes – from raw wood to the finished mouthpiece. The marking "Charatan's Make" emphasized this craftsmanship and distinguished the brand from other manufacturers who merely assembled prefabricated components.
Collaboration with Alfred Dunhill
Alfred Dunhill, dissatisfied with imported pipes from France, approached Charatan between 1908 and 1910. He sourced Dunhill pipes from Charatan, paying top prices for the finest pipes in England. In 1910, Frederick's son, Reuben Charatan, took over the management of the company.
In 1950, Herman G. Lane, a renowned American pipe tobacco manufacturer, established connections with the Charatan family. By 1955, Lane Ltd. became the exclusive distributor for Charatan in the USA. During this time, the iconic "Double Comfort" mouthpiece was introduced, which remains a hallmark of Charatan to this day.
Charatan in the USA and Sale to Dunhill
Due to Herman G. Lane's efforts, Charatan achieved great success in the USA. In 1962, Lane acquired the company after Reuben Charatan's death. In the early 1960s, Charatan pipes surpassed the $100 price mark in the American market for the first time. In 1978, the company was sold to Dunhill, leading to the closure of the traditional workshop in Prescot Street in 1982.
The Collector's Era of the Lane Period
Pipes from the Lane era (1955 to around 1984) are particularly sought after. Due to a factory fire, records from the earlier period are scarce, making dating difficult. Before 1950, the main grades included Supreme, Selected, Executive, and Belvedere. Herman Lane significantly expanded the range and introduced new quality levels.
The Sale and Repurchase by Dunhill
In 1988, Dunhill sold the rights to Charatan to James B. Russell Inc., but the pipes produced in France failed to impress. In 2002, Dunhill repurchased Charatan and entrusted Colin Fromm with the production of exquisite freehand models.
Today, Charatan pipes are produced under the Dunhill umbrella, offering excellent quality at an attractive price-performance ratio.
Nomenclature and Distribution
The iconic Lane brand logo and the circled "L" are distinguishing marks of pipes from the Lane era (circa 1955 to 1984). Pipes from before this period are rare on the market due to limited distribution.
Well-Known Second Brands
- Mountbatten – crafted in Charatan workshops, often of top quality
- London Straight Grain
- International Selection
- Falstaff
- Samirva
- Vauxhall
- Britannia
- Benlet
- Ben Wade
