Petit point dressing table lighter, 1955

This unusual dressing table lighter was made by 'REGENT of London' between 1955 and 1959 in London, England. The gold-tone brass lighter base is pierced and has floral petit point needlework panels (tent stitch embroidery). The structure of the lighter base is made of wood. The design of the case is marked:

REG. DESIGN NO 876990
Made in England (not always present)

Unfortunately the registered design cannot be obtained online although the design itself was registered between March and June of 1955 and is held physically in the National Archive in Kew, Richmond in England. One more design of this lighter is know to exist (based on a rectangle) but is rare.

The wick lighter insert is made of brass, no markings are available.

The table lighter was sold alone or in a vanity set comprising of an matching alarm clock, candlesticks, rectangular  musical trinket box, powder box with mirror lid but also a dressing table tray, hair brush, mirror and manicure set with stand and perfume bottle (not pictured).

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: 30–40.00 USD (approx €25.00–35.00)

Weight: 230 grams

Dimensions:

• height: 5.8 cm
• width: 4.9 cm
• length: 7.9 cm

Photo: Fuelling lighters on the WW1 front

These two photos were taken during the World War I on 20th June 1915 in a military camp in Turenne, Alsace, France. French soldiers are fueling their petrol lighters, mainly trench and rope lighters.

Courtesy by Christophe Beck, Hartmannswillerkopf.

"Still lifes" postcards with table lighters, 1969

Here is a quite interesting series of three postcards designed and printed in West Germany between 1969 an 1971 by Krüger. The still life photos share similar elements, among others: flowers, alcohol, cigars/cigarettes and... lighters:

(1) Erhard (Schwäbisch Gmünd) und Consul gas table lighter produced since 1968.
(2) Esprit pocket lighter produced since 1950.
(3) Any ideas?

Mylflam - 1000 Zünder - table lighter Model 111, 1948

This table lighter Modell 111 was manufactured between 1948 and 1953 in Frankfurt am Mein in Germany by Mylflam Metallwaren GmbH. This semi-automatic petrol lighter was marketed in many different finishes like: silver, nickel plate, brass, lacquer, various types of leather etc. Below an example of the Mylflam Model 111 in nickel plate and mother of pearl finish.  

The wick lighter was generally made of brass. Marked on the underside of the base:

MYLFLAM 

The patented mechanism gave the owner the possibility to hand it over without extinguishing the flame. The table lighter was advertised as a "Present-article much in demand for offices, conference- and dwelling-rooms"

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon–rare (depending on type of the finish)

Value for very good–mint condition: $80.00–160.00 (approx €70.00–140.00)

Weight: 230 grams

Dimensions:

• height: 7.4 cm
• width: 4.3 cm
• length: 8.9 cm

"Neighbours" postcard, France 1951

Here is an an example of a colorful and humoristic postcard from the early 1950s illustrated by Pierre Ryreze and edited by d'Art BelFrance. It depicts a meeting of neighbors. One of them is asking "Are you moving around?" In reply he gets this: "No, I have mounted a wood gas generator to my lighter!!" 

The postcard design no. is 508. It was printed by FAP in France.

Karl Wieden KW 650/G Table Lighter, 1932

The KW type 650/G was first manufactured by Karl Wieden (KW) in 1932 in Germany. It was a very successful and robust semi-automatic table lighter produced in various finishes till the early 1950s.

The photos present an example of the KW 650/G made in brass with green artificial oxide. Except this sailing ship, also a version with dragons and elephants is known. Horses were used in a similar design combined with the later KW Capri version. Usually marked KW on the bottom. Other markings are possible (but rare). 

The removable lighter insert is a standard brass KW in normal size. There were also available smaller units in the size 3/4 and 1/2 of the normal KW (see dimensions). The lighter model was patented in Germany in 1936 although the design was introduced into the market in 1952.

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Marked on the underside of the lighter base:

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for good – mint condition (dependent on finish): $60.00–120.00 (approx €50.00–100.00)

Weight: 260 grams (0.57 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.2 cm (2.83")
• width: 8.4 cm (3.3")
• length: 2.8 cm (1.1")