The Beney "Thada" Table Lighter was
manufactured between 1948 and 1951 by Beney Limited in Beckenham, Kent (England). It is a heavy but handy brass made and electro silver-plated table lighter in Empire style.
The automatic lighter fitment is not removable. Marked on the thumb lever:
BENEY
The Beney Company was founded by Robert Ernest Beney of London, England. R. E. Beney invented and marketed the first Beney mechanical lighter in 1919, three years before Dunhill. The founder of Beney designed numerous models for his own company as well invented the
automatic hunting horn mechanism for Alfred Dunhill. E. Beney also designed
and manufactured numerous luxury lighters and striker boxes for Alfred Dunhill of London as well as Hermes of Paris.
The original company was sold in 1938 and renamed Beney Limited which was than administrated in Saville Works, Croydon Road, Beckenham, Kent in the UK. The biggest selling line manufactured by Beney
was the Economic Gas Lighter which hung on the side of housewife's gas
cookers and was also used for lighting Bunsen burners in laboratories. In
1939-1940 the company moved its administration to the Beney Lighter
premises in Beckenham after the Head Office at Trinity Square along with
many company records were destroyed in a 'doodlebug' flying bomb
attack. Beney Ltd. continued producing lighters at least through the late 1954.
The British company is known for its
high quality lighters often placed in the premium segment for instance:
- Beney Strikalite in 1920s,
- Beney Utility Lighter in 1930s,
- Beney model "666" in 1940s,
- and other lift-arm pocket and table lighters.
Type:
petrol (wick) lighter
Scarcity:
rare
Value for good–mint condition: $35.00–60.00 (approx €25.00–40.00)
Weight:
310 grams (0,68 pounds)
Dimensions:
- height: 9.5 cm (3.7")
- width: 5.5 cm (2.2")
- depth: 3.5 cm (1.4")
