Charatan Pipes: The Origins of the Brand
In 1863, Frederick Charatan, a Russian-Jewish immigrant, opened a shop on Mansell Street, London E1, where he carved meerschaum pipes. Due to increasing demand, he soon moved to a larger workshop on Prescot Street, where he began the production of briar pipes that would make Charatan world-famous. Charatan was the first brand to produce completely handmade briar pipes from raw material to the finished pipe, including the mouthpieces. The term "Charatan's make" highlighted this production method and set Charatan apart from other manufacturers who assembled pipes from pre-made parts.
Collaboration with Alfred Dunhill
Alfred Dunhill, dissatisfied with imported pipes from France, turned to Charatan. Between 1908 and 1910, Dunhill purchased pipes from Charatan, paying high prices for the best pieces. In 1910, Alfred Dunhill hired the talented carver Joel Sasieni from Charatan and opened his own pipe production at 28 Duke Street. Frederick's son, Reuben Charatan, took over the family business after his father's retirement in 1910.
In 1950, Herman G. Lane, an American pipe tobacco manufacturer looking to expand into the UK, contacted Charatan. By 1955, Lane Ltd. became the exclusive distributor for Charatan in the USA, replacing Wally Frank. This development is described in the biography "Leaves from a Tobaccoman's Log." During this period, the famous "Double Comfort" double saddle mouthpiece was introduced, which still characterizes Charatan pipes today.
Charatan in the USA and Sale to Dunhill
Thanks to Herman G. Lane, Charatan became extremely popular in the USA. Ken Barnes mentioned in an interview with Rick Newcombe that Reuben Charatan passed away in 1962, and the company was sold to Lane a year or two later. In the early 1960s, Charatan pipes were the first to sell in the USA for over $100. In 1978, Lane’s heirs sold Charatan to Dunhill. The factory on Prescot Street closed in 1982, which affected the brand's availability and quality.
