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It is not our custom to bargain

On March 21st 1827, the company Dürninger & Co for the first time ordered “10 000 cigars – as profitable as possible” from the company of Gildermeister & Gluer in Havanna. Imported cigars were hitherto unknown in Germany. As Dürninger since 1907 catered for the king of Saxony their cigar department in 1913 received the title “purveyor to the court”.
In 1747 Zinzendorf had brought Abraham Dürninger to Herrnhut, a merchant from Strassbourg who took over the highly indebted shop and developed it into one of the largest trading houses in Europe. His textile production made him the largest exporters of canvas in Upper Lusatia and one of the leading Saxonian business men of the 18th century.
Abraham Dürninger was held in high regard for his efficiency, integrity and modesty; he also was the first merchant in Germany to sell his goods at fixed rates. Due to this unusual work ethic he became what might be called the inventor of fair trade.