Posted 7 years ago
Atsanders86
(2 items)
I have a 1930s Sterling silver rare elign Otis pocket lighter/watch it missing the glass for the watch, watch works, and avhas a piece missing at the top on the back side which doesn't hurt the function of the lighter it works well. I can't seem to find a whole lot of infp on the item so I hope someone who see it could tell me more about it. Thanka
According to Toledo-Bend:
MYTH: (or Lighter Legend, if you prefer): "This company, formed by the Elgin Watch Company and the Otis Manufacturing Company began making art deco styled pocket and table lighters during the late 1920’s through the early 1940’s."
TRUTH: There is no indication that Elgin National Watch Company was involved in the lighter business. It seems a natural enough assumption, but there were a number of 'Elgin' companies in Elgin, IL - including Elgin American, a subsidiary of Illinois Watch Case Company.
Actually, it appears these were lighters manufactured by Otis Manufacturing Company of Chicago, IL (not to be confused with the Otis Elevator Company) and using the "Elgin Craft" trademark of the Elgin American Company. So, really, this is an Otis (manufacturer) - Elgin Craft (trade name) Lighter.
So, essentially, it has nothing to do with Elgin National Watch company or Otis Elevator Company, but rather a similarly named Otis Manufacturing company in Elgin, Illinois perhaps working with Elgin American company, the subsidiary of Illinois Watch Case Company.
Just my interpretation of the information out there.