In this article, Eric Beeson talks about collecting vintage cigarette lighters, including brands such as Zippo, Ronson, and Dunhill.
Cigarette lighter collecting is a hobby that never gets boring. Just by browsing eBay auctions for ten minutes, for example, I recently found a lighter shaped like a lion’s head, one made of jade and gold, and an electric lighter in the shape of a woman’s face that hangs on the wall.
A flame we can carry in our pockets is something that we take for granted, but it was much harder to make fire in earlier times. The match wasn’t invented until about 1805, and early matches were expensive and dangerous. The lighter wasn’t invented until 1823 by a German chemist named Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner. He created the precursor to the lighter, which he called the Feuerzeug (often referred to as ‘Döbereiner’s Lamp’). The device created hydrogen gas in a tube from a reaction of sulfuric acid and zinc together, which would ignite after passing through a platinum sponge. The Feuerzeug was a huge success, with an estimated 20,000 in use by 1828.
But the Feuerzeug, in all its effectiveness, was not very safe, and would probably be illegal today. Various other types of lighters appeared throughout the late 1800’s, most of them making use of a wheel striking a ferrocerium flint, or a similar flint-like substance. Lighter development advanced greatly during World War I, as soldiers found them much more useful than matches, which caused a large spark when lit, easily giving away the positions of soldiers in the dark.
The basic shape of the modern cigarette lighter can be traced back to its ancestor, the match holder. In the 1800’s, safety matches had not yet been invented, so match users were victims of accidental ignitions far too often. By keeping them inside metal cases, they stopped the danger of pocket fires. This shape, roughly rectangular with rounded edges, became the prototype for almost all cigarette lighters. In fact, some crude lighters have been housed in match cases.
Lighters of the early 1900’s are hard to find, as many have fallen into disrepair, or rusted due to poor construction. By the 1920’s, lighters had become functional as well as artistic. The shapes and designs reflected the modern aesthetic, such as the early Art Deco patterns and styles.
At that point, there were three basic types of lighters. The manual striking type, the semiautomatic type, and the fully automatic type. The manual striking type, such as a Zippo, has the user physically make the spark come in contact with the wick by means of turning a flint wheel or striking the flint themselves. Another type of manual lighter, commonly known as a permanent match, contains a well of lighter fuel in which a metal-enclosed wick sits in. This metal matchstick is then struck to a flint, igniting the fuel-soaked wick inside the tube. Various companies have made these over the years, in portable and table lighter forms.
The semiautomatic lighter first appeared about 1922, and is still standard for many reusable lighters. The user will flip open the lid or push a button that opens the cover, which will simultaneously spin a flint wheel and ignite the wick. This is a common design for table lighters.
Ultimately, the automatic lighter was created by Louis Aronson, founder of Ronson lighters, in 1926. Nicknamed the “Banjo” for its distinctive shape, the design became immensely popular. Aronson was telling the truth when he released it with the ad slogan “Push, it’s lit; Release, it’s out.” The automatic lighter requires only one motion – the push of a button – to create the flame, and as long as it’s held down, the flame stays lit.
All the aforementioned lighters ran on naptha, a petroleum mixture that would be poured into a well filled with cotton, where the wick could absorb it. In the late 1940’s, new technology arrived on the scene, and soon many people favored the new butane lighters. The compressed butane, as opposed to naptha, allowed the user to control the flame intensity, and eliminated the need for a wick. Others claim that butane became popular because it had a less pervasive odor than naptha – though most people I know who use lighters or who grew up around smokers are nostalgic for the smell of a naptha lighter. Butane lighters are the most common type today, as butane is the fuel of choice for disposable lighters, such as Bic, that you’d buy in a grocery store.
Lesser known than their flint-based counterparts, Piezoelectric lighters were first marketed in the late 1950’s. Piezoelectrcity was discovered in the early 1800’s, but wasn’t used for lighters until Ronson started making them. Piezoelectricity works by creating compressed pressure between quartz crystals, creating an electric spark.
Though lighters have changed drastically over the years in terms of design and technology, one brand remains nearly unchanged since it was founded over 75 years ago. The Zippo Manufacturing Company was founded by George Blaisdell in Bradford, PA, in 1932. Presumably Blaisdell liked the sound of the word ‘zipper,’ and thought ‘Zippo’ sounded modern and hi-tech. Inspired by an Austrian lighter which claimed to be windproof, Blaisdell improved on the design, creating a product almost identical to the Zippo we know today.
Zippos became immensely popular over the next few years, and their sturdy, windproof construction made them ideal for soldiers. They were standard issue during WWII, and when supplies ran short, miniature lighters were made out of two top halves, saving metal. This vintage of Zippos is hard to find, as many were left behind or lost, and those that survive are extremely valuable. Many of the lighters made for soldiers were covered in a ‘black crackle’ finish that soldiers could carve names and drawings into with knives or pins. ‘Trench art,’ as it has become known, increases the value of a Zippo lighter significantly.
Zippo became an aesthetic icon, as well as one of functionality and quality. By the 1950’s Zippo was making custom-decorated lighters for different companies, clubs, and teams to be used as advertising or gifts. It wasn’t uncommon for businesses to give monogrammed lighters to their employees for celebrations of service or retirements. Introduced in 1956, the Zippo Slim was another development, adding a thinner, sleeker lighter to the company’s lineup.
Today, Zippos can be found with any number of designs, ranging from sports teams’ logos to tattoo-style art. What makes Zippo unique is its design that has remained nearly unchanged for over 75 years, plus its lifetime guarantees. If a Zippo breaks, it can be sent to the factory for free repair. As a collector myself, I enjoy being able to have all my pieces working, to say the least. Zippos are also popular among collectors because each lighter since 1955 has been stamped with a date code, and for pre ’55 lighters, the year can be identified by a number of features of the stamping. This information is readily available on the internet, making it easy for a collector to get started.
Though Zippo is considered its own genre within the lighter-collecting world, non-Zippo collectors have just as much to work with. Dunhill lighters, for example, were introduced in Britain in 1923 to immediate success. Ever since, Dunhills have been regarded as the cream of the lighter crop, with new models selling for as much as a thousand dollars. Older models are even more valuable, starting with the single-wheel flint and naptha styles dating from the 20’s, and the single and double-wheel butane lighters from the 1930’s. Though WWII slowed down business greatly, Dunhill made a comeback in the 1950’s with their thumbroller-ignition lighters, a design which is virtually unchanged today.
On the less-pricey side of the spectrum, Ronson has been making reliable lighters for almost 100 years. Known for inventing the fully automatic lighter in 1926, Ronson’s designs have been copied continuously since then. And the automatic lighter isn’t Ronson’s only claim to fame. The company also made the first refillable gas lighter, the first adjustable-flame gas lighter, the first plastic lighter, and the first electronic-spark system. Their most famous models, the Varaflame and the Comet, are highly sought by collectors worldwide.
I’ve only mentioned three famous brands, but as I said before, the potential for lighter collecting is endless. Just to name a few other brands, Penguin, Colibri, ST Dupont, Scripto, and Evans have all enjoyed rich histories as well.
With the drop in popularity of smoking, reusable lighters have become rarer, but companies such as Zippo are still going strong, and there appears to be a renewed interest in them. There are hundreds of lighter collecting clubs around the world, and more are founded every year, so collecting is now a popular hobby for all ages.
Good luck, and happy hunting!
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TO all who question a brass Ronson Banjo lighter.
I will give you the history on the Banjo Lighter. The banjo is the Grand daddy of all Ronson Automatic .It is ronsons first fully automatic lighter. The lighters were finished with heavy silver plating with several different engine turn designs. Lighter may have been made in a rare Gold plating too (SUPER RARE). However they NEVER produced the lighter in Brass.
NOTE:
The Banjo lighter design has been copied by a foreign company to deceive people. The fakes are chromium plated or brass in metal. Some of the models have ronson in black enamel on the front that Ronson NEVER did. Also the markings on the snuffer cap and fill screw are different from the original.
Ronson also never put labels ( stampings )that say BLACK swan or any type of advertising on these lighters. They also never had any type of printing on them either. Even though your lighter is stamped with all that info on your lighter.. It is a fake or forgery. Made in a foreign country to deceive people….. May be worth little as a fake… A lot of people do not know this information and i hope this helps people with these lighters that think they have the real deal…
seantbird96@aol.com
Specializing in the sales and service of Vintage lighters
i am not sure if this is the correct site but i need information. i have a cigarette lighterthe outer casing is gold the mechanics could be 9ct gold it is rectangular and when you depress the top the little nozzle lifts and the light ignitesa wick. on the base is inscribedTiki- Gala on one end on the other is wiffo or something like that and under this is austria can anyone give me some information on its dimensions are 55mm,approx 48mm, 10mm
Hello, I have two olders lighters and I can´t find any information about these.
Does anyone know how I can repair my CORONETTE CARAT Made in Australia patent and my RONSON Varaflame Comet Made in Mexico.
Would greatly any information… Thank you… Erasmo
Hello, I have a very old German petrol lighter, the trademark is 2 back to back half moon faces,with pointed noses and chins, the patent no. is 13863. It measures about 1in.x 2in, has a domed top, and ignites with roller caps, I would be grateful if anyone has any information about this lighter or the maker. Thank you, Harold.
i recently acquired a Ronson Crown Lighter, aside from the normal information, Pat. nbr. Logo etc. it has a serial number 127 on it. I can’t
find any other lighter of that model with a serial number. Is this a very early one? what might it be worth. It also came in a felt silver polishing cloth bag with the Ronson Logo on it. Any Help appreciated….
As a writer, (amateur) I am always using the internet for research on various subjects. Today, I was looking for any articles about the lighter, when I found this page. After all, I did not want my character lighting a cigarette in 1912 with a lighter, and then find out that the lighter was not even in Resistance till a later time. I was relieved to discover the whole history of it all.
This page not only gave me the information which I needed, it gave me some references to history like WW 1 and the match as well.
Thank you so very much for your own research on this subject, and for sharing it with the world.
Maura, I have been looking for that same lighter, so if you want to sell it please let me know. Hubby had one (about 25 years ago) engraved, and lost it, so I have been wanting to replace it.
I have a brass oval shaped Elfa Tank brass petrol lighter,top section slides off to reveal wick and strike wheel, bottom slides off and contains a small petrol tank, the middle fixed part holds the wadding and flint housing.
The front is embossed with: original
Elfa Tank.
It measures 2.5ins in length x 1&1/8 wide.
Can anyone give me some info on this make please.
Hi,
I was digging in some of my grandfathers old things and i found about 20 different lighters some are Zippo,Key-Cee,Champ,Rolex,Crown, a few ATC super deluxe, Mastercraft, goldenbill, a Ronson whirlwind, vulcan, park, coliboi and i was wonder cause in your pictures you have a few that i have now and i was wondering that some of mine work and that the others need flints i was wondering that maybe you knew what kinds of flints that i could use to make the others work? Also how much some of these might be worth?
Thank you for you time.
I have a lighter that has one screw on bottom and it reads C 1009 ST Dupont Paris BREV-SGDG 75-215 FAB France Does anyone know how old and what the cost might be for it now?
Where in Singapore can I find a official ronson lighter repairer?
Hi, I recently came across a gold lighter, and you can tell that it is very old. It has Chinese or Japanese writing on one side and some sort of etching….can you tell me anything about it? Thanks.
I just purchased a negbaur airplace cigarette lighter from the local thrift store for $2. Does anyone know anything about these lighters?
Garry maguire,
I too have that lighter. Have been trying to find out about it for quite a while now with not much luck. Took some photo’s so as someone might be able to help with regards to age, price.
Embossed front with “original elfa tank”
Under strike wheel engraved is Made in Germany
on back of lighter is the B&H logo engraved (very faint) in final pic
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/Grumpyhamster/?action=view¤t=SDC11171.jpg
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/Grumpyhamster/?action=view¤t=SDC11173.jpg
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/Grumpyhamster/?action=view¤t=SDC11174.jpg
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e262/Grumpyhamster/?action=view¤t=SDC11176.jpg
Have round top lighter on chain. Laurel wreath on back sode similar on front plus crown and lion emblem on front. Has L on left of lion which is in a square design, and 7 on right. 1650 is on bottom.
I recently picked up this strange looking lighter. I was attracted to it because of the strange covering on the sides…it might be plastic, it might be bakelite, perhaps copper.. Etched on the front is a picture of Mount Fuji, with a rice planter in the foreground. Colour is light brown. It is rectangular. It is marked underneath PRINCE 410 Magneto 88 with a large E. The back has birds in flight, and some mountains (?).
Any one know the year /history of this model ?
I have a lighter that is round with a coat of arms on one side with the date 1650 on it. There is an L and the number 7 on each side of the coat of arms with a crown on top with just a leaf pattern around the otherside. It flips open with a knob on the top to take the inner section out with the wheel and flint. Does anyone know where this originated from or anything about such a lighter?
i have a hahway us patent april 2 1912 made in germany . can find anything about it . can you help me find out about it . thanks
In my travels I picked up a gold penquin butane lighter. On the side is engraved ” Gratefully Rudy Vallee”. Any info would be appreciated. Value, history, etc. Thanks
I have a lighter that used to belong to my Grandfather. It is a Dunhill, the lighter has written, that it was made in England. It seems to be Gold, don’t know if 18k? It is thin gold lighter. I don’t see any serial number but when you open the lighter it has 0522?? Would this mean that it was made in 1922? My Grandfather died at 90 years old and I was 3 at the time. I am 38 now, so this lighter has to be at least 70years old.
If anybody knows more about these types of lighters, would you please let me know? I had taken it to a place to get it appraised and they told me that if it was gold, it should have had a mark on it. So, they stated it was not gold. Would they have marked this lighter in the 1920s? I took it somewhere else and they did some type of test with a liquid and then stated it was gold. I would like to how much a lighter like this is worth?
I have a antique Blue Bird De Luxe musical lighter in it’s original box and appears to be in brand new, never used condition. It has a Confederate flag on one side and “Southern Bell in Mississippi” on the back. It winds up and plays “Dixie”. The box on the back has a label applied to it that says “Harry C Bresler Company” “Importers – Manufacturers – Distributors” “Gift Items” “PO Box 2714, Memphis Tenn.” Does anyone know the value of this lighter? I am guessing its from late 40s to early 50s but I really have no facts on it.
I am looking for old time cigarette lighter that was a clear one with a fly fishing lure suspended inside. Can anyone tell me where I can find one?
I received a brass airplane cigarette lighter. It has ncgbaur on the bottom. It is an airplane that ignites when the prop is turned. The hatch does not stay closed. I read two articles here on two similar. Have you found out anything on these?
I have a older model Colibri electro quartz lighter I need info on. It is in the original blue box and says no flint, no battery, no spark wheel. It has a design on both sides like a leaf pattern maybe. I can not find any info anywhere on it.
In a box of lighters from my dad, I found a silver long rectangular lighter with a very boxy feel. On the bottom it’s stamped Clifton Automatic, Inc., Erie, PA. Does anyone have any info on this? I can’t find anything except that Clifton Automatic Inc, is still in operation in Lake City, PA, very close to Erie, but they make screws. Thanks in advance for your help.
I have a machined brass lighter the word “WIN” on the top within a circle and the words : “OWIN” and “PATFNTFD”. Note the letter “F” instead of “E” is used in the patented. It mesures 3 5/8″ tall and 1″ in diametr and is tapers to a 3/4″ diameter 1/4′ from the top. It also has two machined woven patterns on the side. Does anyone have information about this lighter.
In reply to question about #41 question (41 Ron Says:) about a brass ligther and #42Sean McCASKEY Says: it may a WWII trench style lighter: I believe the Oceanside Museum of Art (Oceanside, California) has a WWII trench style lighter on display upstairs. You can contact the Oceanside Museum of Art at OMA-online.org to find out for sure.
I have a gold St. Dupont lighter which is 30 years old, i just wonder how much does it worth nowadays.
We have 4 old cigarette lighters that were donated to our theatre before I started working here. I found them in a closet. One is an Aria lighter with a Atlantic Imperial insignia on the front and a music box that plays the Atlantic jingle. Another one is a Kassin that has a map of Florida and it says “Florida Fun in the Sun” on the front and on the back it has a picture of the Hialeah race course with flamingos. The third is a mini lighter key chain that has Las Vegas on it with related pictures. The fourth is an Omega painted turquoise with I think it’s the Newport cigarette logo.
We are wondering what these are worth.
i have a gold dunhill lighter. on the bottom it says swiss made. it was my fathers and i seem to remember it at least as far back as the 70’s. would like to know if its authentic and anything i should look for to find out when it was made and if it is plated or what. thanx
I have a Deluxe Blue Bird Music Lighter which I got from my dad. he got it somewhere in 1970s as a gift. It came in a nice black box and the inside is made with velvet. It has a Japanese style Gold and silver plated sail boat and it is embeded in to the lighter. at the bottom theres a Japanese lettering on it. The bottom of the lighter says ” Blue Bird” Japan. it is in mint condition.
I would like to know when it is made, whether if it actually is plated and whether its Authentic. Thanks.
Several years ago I purchased a ceramic table lighter. It has a squat, swirled , turquoise- glazed base with metalic (gold?) painted vine hi-lights on the raised design.It has an 1 1/2″ ridged metal (brass?) top piece with an attatched curved handle. Has thumb-activated mechanism exposing wick, striker, etc. It has an oval black and gold label attatched to the bottom saying, “Evans BONE CHINA”…large screw stamped “Evans Fule” and a smaller gold(?) screw next to it. Any idea what I have ie: date made and value? Thanks!
Posts: 1
Hi everybody
My father-in-law gave me a Win lighter over the weekend.
I am very curious to find out if it is worth anything. he says they only made about 200 of these.
The lighter in question is 1980 Olympic edition in brushed aluminium finish. It is still in originial box with pamphlets and all.
Is there anybody who could tell my anything about it please.
Regards
Johan
I have an ST.Dupont 18kt gold lighter , serial number B3564, circa 1960. I’m looking to have it appraised or sold. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Gabriel
Obtained an old lighter from family: Appears to havebeen manufactured by the “Wagner” Company as this appears struck on the bottem panel as “Wagner Deluxe”. It is a simple art deco design, smooth surface, no details with a very small cover that looks like a birds beak. Has striker wheel, flint, wick. There are three holes on each side. appears to be stainless steel. Have searched and am unable to find any information on this lighter and would appreciate anything in history of company and of course a value
Digging a ditch on our old farm in Egg Harbor City, NJ I discovered what looked at first like a brass double-ended bullet. Measures about 3″ long by 9/16th in dia. It turned out to be a 3 pc lighter that prob uses fluid and typical flint/roller/wick design. We’re totally ignorant about era etc and would never clean or try to “restore” it. Any thoughts? Thanks for your time, Dennis
Hi ya all I collect a lot of things and one is Dunhill lighters and the only one I didn’t have was a Dunhill mini “old one” and I finaly got one but it cost me dearly, my question is: is there a place on this thing for a extra flint and is it the little barrle that is located on the bottom of the lighter in the refill hole? and the gizmo that you slide back to put in a new flint dose not want to lock back like my bigger ones, is it supposed to be like that? The lighter was in almost new condition but the flint had turned into powder over the years and the same held true at the bottom fuel hole where I was supposing there was a spair flint when I turned it over the grey powder came flowing out od that little barrle like thing that is in there, I guess the best thing would be to send it off to ars but at 50 or 60 and more a pop it gets a little to high for me to keep collecting so I would like to find out as much on my own and would love to find a repair man on Dunhill lighters, well that’s all I got to say if anyone can help I’d be mighty greatfull. Blessings. CB. Oh and outside the book a 14k gold Dunhull would be great.
I was recently going through some boxes i had put away and found a desk lighter that i was given by a great uncle of mine who recieved it as a gift when he was chief inspector of the New York City Police in the mid 1900’s. The desk lighter is some type of clear synthetic like Lucite and there is a Fly fishing lure suspended in the square base and the circular metal hardware of the lighter seems to be brass. My relative wasn’t a smoker and the lighter still works like a charm! Can anyone Help Me identify it
I have a 1918 (Dec. 31) Rosnson BANJO lighter which has the following details on it : (it says:first automatic lighter rosnson, on the front: this period was the age of jazz, below: black swan and new york, next: OH DADDY….. it has some small details as well). As far as i’m conserned the first ronson lighter was produced in 1918 , but i noticed that the article claims that the first production of Ronson lighters started at 1926. If anyone has some further information about it please contact with me. email: demosart@hotmail.com
Thank you
Demos
In my Father in Laws belongings we found a lighter still in a box it has a Scroll paper that reads Golden Boutique, the case a gold bar marked with #’s 3408, 999.9, Word, Factice. The insert lighter is B & L BrotherLite, Piezo Electric, Japan. Scroll: Gold. Die Faszination dieses Wortes spiegelt sich in den edlen Artikeln unserer,, Golden Boutique-Serie” wider. Mit Liebe zum Detail gerfertigt, mit einer 24-Karat-Goldauflage veredelt, sind diese Produkte Gebauch- und Schmuckstucke gleichermanBen – praktisch un Schon. What is this lighter and is it special. We have know idea where he got or when?
Does anyone out there have a clue? Email: rascals123@earthlink.net
Thanks….
i have an Airflam windproof lighter in the original box with certificate of guarantee, 1957. any info?
I too have a round lighter on a chain. It has a lions crest in the center, crown on top surrounded with Laurel leaves. On the same side it has L on the left and 7 on the right of the crest and 1650 on the bottom. On the back is a similar design without any crest, just a circle with the Laurel leaves. I would like to know more about it. Could you tell me anything please? Thank you.
I have a WWII era Cigarette lighter and hinged Case. It has the Map of Japan,Mount Kilamanjaro(?) a tiger ,dragon and Memories of Japan written on the front cover. Stamped inside with three penquins(I think) on top of the letters D.I.T. The back of our case has a wood grain like pattern(a shade of Red) Inside is silver. We were hoping for a clue at the general time frame it came from. Thank you. Carrie
I have a lighter that shows the castle and memorial Dome of Hiroshima on one side, and on the other it says They may all be one; John 17 21 and below it, it says Building for the International Youth Center of Hiroshima YMCA, Japan. Lighter is stamped Madison. Any help would be appreciated. THANKS.
I’m Native American and my father gave me an old WW11 regens lighter No. 1896140 and it still works very well now is this worth anything.
Hi there,
We came across this lighter at a surplus shop: Marusho, Japan, made this cute pocket cigarette lighter in the shape of a 1950 Cadillac Series 62 convertible
[ Photo: Argus de la Miniature, #111, p.8 ]. We have one in red.
Here’s the link to that info we found: http://www.car-nection.com/yann/Dbas_txt/arkeyfob.htm
Its under Cigarette and Cigar Lighters [ table models ]
Do you have any other information regarding this item? When was this produced? Any significant info that you can share. Thanks.
was just given a lighter my mom had bought my dad years ago., they had been marrid 68 years, i don’t know how old it is, pretty old. its in a hard brown plstic case, says ronson, worlds greatest lighter, when you pull down front of container,there is the lighter, brown and silver,very nice looking with my dads initials in a little silver plate onfront, its the kind that you push down one side and it lifts other side on top and lights the wick, anyways, can you tell me anything about it, whether it is worth anything, thank you
I believe I have the same lighter as Tim Scott. It says japan on the front and has a picture of a mountain and a tree branch with sakura pedals. It looks old and says M.S.K. CO GI NO.525 QUEEN LUCKY on the bottom. I’d like to know when it was made and anything else about it. Thanks, Seth.
I have a 1995 camel lighter. Written on the side is 1995 Camel R.J.R.T.C. I also have the matching leather case with a camel embossed on it and the word camel also embossed on it. I was just wondering what it might be worth. The lighter still works.
I have an old lighter that I cant find any information on.. It says Sampson and PGH o the bottom of it. Was there a Sampson brand?