Carrier, Luminus electrical lighter, Paris 1900

The "Luminus" electrical lighter (fr. Allumoir électrique) was invented, patented and manufactured by BERNARD-ALEXANDRE CARRIER in 1900 in Paris (rue Fenelon 7), France. It based on the invention of a fluid cell battery by Grenet

It was advertised in the French press as "essential device for you. Instant light by pressing a button" (fr. Appareil indispendable chez soi. Lumiere instantanee en pressant un bouton)". It was the best known bichromate electric lighter and the "Luminus" name is now in use for other lighters that type as well.

The Luminus lighter operated on a liquid battery (bichromate potassium) and carbon electrodes that were situated in the bigger glass bottle. By pressing the button a zinc plate submerges into the fluid and current is flowing into the platinum filament which is glowing. It lights up the pilot wick which lights the main wick for longer use without need to keep the button pressed and stressing the battery. Both wicks were emersed in petrol in the small bottle. According to Carrier 600 ignitions were possible till a next refill of bichromate potassium.

The first model of the Luminus lighter won the gold medal at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris and was replaced in 1904 by the second model which introduced a second cap and was produced until 1914 (vide patent drawings no. FR3883).

The glass bottles of the Luminus were made mainly in cobalt blue, less common are light blue, green, yellow or orange glass. The lighter is unmarked. The LUMINUS lighter is exposed among others at the: Deutsches Heildelberg Museum-Castle and Museum Bryant & May to London-Museum of Arts&Crafts in Paris.

Type: electrical petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon-rare

Value for very good condition: 300 USD (approx. 250€)

Weight: ca. 600 grams

Dimensions:

• height: 22.5 cm
• width: 10 cm

"Entre deux feux. Bonne année!" Postcard, France 1914

This postcard shows a soldier holding a fox-hole lighter which rope is entangled around a burning woman. A disturbing view! The postcard was designed by "Edition SID Paris" and printed in France between 1914-1918 (World War I). On the reverse of the postcard it is written "Vise Paris no au verso" (ECIL 2025).

On the front of the postcard there are two expressions: "Bonne Année!" (eng. Good year!) and "Entre Deux Feux" (eng. between two lights).

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.

Excise duties on French lighters, 1910–1945

On 10th December 1910 the French state adopted new tax regulations on "all devices indented to produce spark or fire by friction, or by any other means, and of the combustion of a flammable substance". Since 1st January 1911 every lighter in France that was intended for sale in the French market had to be taxed and adequately marked (see pictures).

To confirm that the excise duty was paid to the Ministry of Finance a special duty metal plate (stamp) was attached (usually welded) to the lighter by the lighter manufacturers. The fees charged by the French state were high but the tax rates levied by the state were varying depending on the type and finish of the lighter. Following tax rates were used:

• 2 French francs for common pocket lighters,
• 5 Fr for pocket lighters made of silver,
• 20 Fr for luxury pocket lighters (e.g. made of gold),
• 5 Fr for common table/desk lighters (over 10 cm),
• 10 Fr for table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of silver,
• 50 Fr for luxury table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of gold or platinum.

Between 1911 and 1916 a simple cooper plate was used which had the date 1911 engraved. Later, between 1916 and 1945 a new plate (undated) was introduced with the letters "C" and "I" (stands for indirect taxes) and a profile of Mercury (patron god of financial gain, commerce and messengers) with an inscription "Ministère des Finances" (eng. Ministry of Finance). Two shapes were used for the plate – oval for table lighters, the other one for pocket lighters. Additional to the two duty plates a marking "BL" (Briquet de Luxe, eng. luxury lighter) was introduced in 1926. It was a small hallmark which was considered as more discreet and applied only on luxury lighters like Quercia or Lancel.  

It is worth to mention that France was not the sole country where lighters were taxed and marked with special plates. A similar law was constituted in Belgium and Spain although it was applied for a short time. The taxation of lighters in France was abolished in 1945.

Old French postcard from the First World War, 1915

Below an interesting old postcard from France from the First World War period dating on the back 1915. The postcard is depicting a soldier with a cigarette and lighter in his hand. The French note means: A fine Londres cigar and a lighter and I am completely satisfied.

Antique postcard from the First World War, 1914

Here we have a postcard from the First World War dating 1914–1918. The postcard is depicting a soldier in an strange outfit firing a cigar lift-arm lighter.

First World War Postcard from France: "Un nouveau briquet", 1915

I have bought today a very intriguing postcard from the First World War period. It is dated on the reverse May 1915. On the front a soldier is holding a fired bomb which he uses to light his cigarette. "Un nouveau briquet" means "A new lighter".

French postcard dated 1915, Un nouveau briquet. Editeur PARIS, 552