oncewasengland: Advertisement for Alfred Dunhill of Euston Road, London N.W (1903) Alfred Dunhill was in the company’s own words an “innovator, adventurer, curator, collector, charmer, visionary, stylist, speed freak, pooh-pooher of borders and nay-sayers…and cutter of dash”. One of Alfred’s most notable creations were his ‘Bobby Finders’, a cross between binoculars and motoring goggles. By wearing the device, the motorist was able ‘to spot a policeman at half a mile, disguised as a respectable man’. Useful indeed given the temptation there must have been to break the 12mph speed limit of the day. If only Dunhill 2010 bore some resemblance to Dunhill 1903. Somehow it became a bland brand, streamlined for the global marketplace. In the process it lost its uniqueness and the secret of its success. Why is it that so many great British brands go this way? Belstaff, Brookes, Jaguar.. Crown jewels such as Rolls Royce, Bentley and Church’s Shoes seem often safer in the hands of foreign owners than our own. Not so great, not so British.

oncewasengland:

Advertisement for Alfred Dunhill of Euston Road, London N.W (1903)

Alfred Dunhill was in the company’s own words an “innovator, adventurer, curator, collector, charmer, visionary, stylist, speed freak, pooh-pooher of borders and nay-sayers…and cutter of dash”.

One of Alfred’s most notable creations were his ‘Bobby Finders’, a cross between binoculars and motoring goggles. By wearing the device, the motorist was able ‘to spot a policeman at half a mile, disguised as a respectable man’. Useful indeed given the temptation there must have been to break the 12mph speed limit of the day.

If only Dunhill 2010 bore some resemblance to Dunhill 1903. Somehow it became a bland brand, streamlined for the global marketplace. In the process it lost its uniqueness and the secret of its success. Why is it that so many great British brands go this way? Belstaff, Brookes, Jaguar..

Crown jewels such as Rolls Royce, Bentley and Church’s Shoes seem often safer in the hands of foreign owners than our own. Not so great, not so British.

oncewasengland

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