An extremely stylish and rare novelty table lighter in the form of a 12-inch ruler, calibrated in both inches and centimetres. Marked Dunhill, Made in England, it was produced in the late 20th century and is beautifully finished in gold plate. What makes this example particularly special is that it comes complete with its rare original presentation box, a detail seldom found and highly prized by collectors.

Some history about the world-renowned maker, Dunhill: Alfred Dunhill Limited was developed by Alfred Dunhill after he inherited his father's saddlery business on London's Euston Road at the age of 21 in 1893. He went on to create a line of automobile accessories called Dunhill’s Motorities, including horns, lamps, leather overcoats, goggles, picnic sets and timepieces, marketed under the strap line “Everything But The Motor.” Within a few years, the business shifted towards the luxury market with the opening of two Mayfair shops. In 1904, Dunhill patented the “Windshield Pipe”, designed to allow drivers to smoke while driving. By 1907 he had opened his first tobacconist and pipe shop on Duke Street.

Dunhill himself retired in the 1920s, passing the business to his family. In the mid-1950s, the company produced one of the first butane gas lighters—a design that has remained largely unchanged since, and one famously associated with James Bond in both literature and film. By the late 1970s, Alfred Dunhill was offering an extraordinary range of some 3,500 luxury products in over 20 stores worldwide, cementing its reputation as a leader in refined design and craftsmanship.

This rare ruler lighter, especially with its original box, perfectly encapsulates Dunhill’s blend of practical ingenuity and timeless luxury. Both a functional lighter and an imaginative decorative object for the desk or study, it is as much a conversation piece as it is a fine example of Dunhill’s enduring legacy.

Condition: good vintage condition, in working order. Please refer to photographs. NB. although sold without warranty the lighter has been serviced and checked that it is in good working order

Dimensions: 30.5cm wide, 1.3cm high, 2.5cm deep (excluding box)