The History of S.T. Dupont

As well as design and manufacture our own cigar cases, rests and tubes, we at Puro Prestige stock items from a few select brands.

One of our favourites is S.T. Dupont. The Paris-based company produces outstanding lighters and cutters that we are proud to sell individually and as part of our popular cigar accessory gift packages.

We’ve put together this blog to give our followers a little more information about the brand and why we think it is so special.

 

Today, S.T. Dupont is most well known for its cigar lighters and cutters as well as the manufacture of pens, perfumes and a collection of interesting gadgets. But originally, it was a little different.

S.T. Dupont was founded by Simon Tissot-Dupont in the second half of the 19th century, originally as a travel case company. Previously Simon had been a photographer to Napoleon III and at 25 had already developed a keen eye for luxury and an excellent understanding of Parisian fashions.

Throughout the 1870s Simon built a reputation for making exceptional cases and bags for wealthy businessmen and diplomats, as well as aristocrats and even royalty. S.T. Dupont had a mix of private clients and prestigious retail partnerships and grew quickly, becoming a supplier to Les Grands Magasins du Louvre in 1884.

The company was handed down to his sons just after the first world war, who expanded the business’s operations. The company filed several patents and grew to incorporate expert craftsmen, artisans and designers. S.T. Dupont soon had a presence in New York at the Cartier Boutique on Fifth Avenue.

Throughout the 1930s the company continued to innovate, inventing an entirely new way to process leather to make it more durable and supple. In the 1940s, the company moved into the production of lighters at the request of the Maharajah of Patiala. Its solid gold lighters were a world first and paved the way for S.T. Dupont becoming one of the most well known premium cigar accessory brands in the world. Meanwhile, Humphrey Bogart commissioned S.T. Dupont to produce a special lightweight leather travel case for use on his yacht.

The 1950s and 1960s saw S.T. Dupont form relationships with celebrities and artists including Audrey Hepburn and Pablo Picasso, and moved into the production of pens at the request of Jackie Kennedy. This continued right through until the present day, with the brand producing the French government’s gift to Prince William and Kate Middleton for their wedding.

S.T. Dupont is an example of a brand that has succeeded due to stubborn, unwavering commitment to quality and innovation. For 140 years it has consistently pushed the boundaries of luxury and craftsmanship and we are proud to supply their products at Puro Prestige. See our S.T. Dupont lighters here or S.T. Dupont cutters here.