Vintage Zippo Mfg. Co. Postcard, ca. 1955

Below a rare linen postcard from the mid 1950s. It is depicting the headquarters of Zippo Mfg. Co. The "linen postcards" were produced from the late 1930s through the early 1950s mainly in the USA. They were produced on paper with a high rag content which gave the postcard a fabric type look and feel.

Airbrushed and Hand Painted Zippo Lighters

Claudio Mazzi is known in the Zippo World as number one in airbrush painting since 1985. Although Mazzi is by far the most popular in this field other artist are trying to go his path and do air paint Zippo lighters for private collectors and organizations.

One of them is Maciej Książek (maaks) – a young Polish airbrush artist living in the United Kingdom. He started airbrush painting of Zippo lighters in 2012. Below are two projects from his portfolio. On the right a beautiful example of Mazzi's piece of art. 

You might be also interested in seeing the portfolio of Art Enchent and Claudio Mazzi.

eBay: Early Tall 3 Barrel Outside Hinge Zippo Lighter

Zippo lighters attract a lot of collectors which are willing to pay top dollar for the rarest examples. Yesterday a rare Tall (2 7/16”) early 1933 Zippo with the three barrel outside hinge was sold for $12,807. The opening bid started at $9.99 on January 3th 2014. Ten days later (13/01/2014) the lighter received a total of 64 bids from 27 bidders. 

This Zippo has decorative diagonal lines. The high price can be explained by the very good condition of this lighter. It has its original hinge which unusual since the original hinges where rather of poor quality and often get broken. Some detailed pictures of the most expensive Zippo sold on eBay:

The second most expensive Zippo was sold on eBay approximately one year ago which was described here: eBay: $6,888.88 for a Tall 1933 Zippo

Advert: First Zippo Ad, Windy, Varga Girl, 1937

The first Zippo magazine advertisement was published in Esquire on December 1937. This black and white full page ad depicts the famous pin-up girl called Windy or the Varga Girl. But the design was the creation of Enoch Bolles, one of the earliest and most widely published glamor illustrators at the time. His works can be seen here.

This ad is quite rare and it fetches prices above $50.

eBay: $6,888.88 for a Tall 1933 Zippo

Zippo collectors never cease to amaze me. There is no other lighter company that has so many devoted and well organized collectors. What does attract them? What makes the Zippo lighters so collectible? The simple design? Life warranty? No.

Somewhere in the 1960s Zippo discovered that sales droved only by customers willing to pay for its pure function would not make it successful at all. A new marketing strategy was implemented which aimed the collecting spirit of some of the potential customers - limited editions and special editions of Zippo lighters were issued; a wide range of various finishes and designs were introduced each year. Zippo is easy customizable and need little space. Many storage and display cases are provided by Zippo itself and by many enthusiasts. Furthermore Zippo supports Zippo Clubs and closely cooperates with many of them. 

The strategy works well and Zippo still exists whereas many other great lighter manufacturers like Evans, Ronson, Thorens with good quality products vanished or almost vanished from the market.

Zippo lighters attract a lot of collectors which are willing to pay top dollar for the rarest examples. Yesterday a rare Tall (2 7/16”) early 1933 Zippo with the three barrel outside hinge was sold for $6,888. The opening bid started at $99 on January 8th 2013. Seven days later the lighter received 23 bids. 

Some detailed pictures:

Advert: Zippo and a modern girl, 1949

A lovely magazine advertisement published in Holiday magazine on November 1949. It depicts among others the Barcroft Table Lighter.

FAQ: The New Barcroft Instruction Leaflet, 1950s

Below an instruction leaflet for the Barcroft Desk / Table Lighter (4^th version) added to the lighter in the 1950s. It contains:

• construction details of the Barcroft Zippo lighter,
• how to re-fuel and re-flint the lighter.

 

Advert: Zippo Handilite Desk Lighter, 1980

This magazine advertisement was published in 1980 (magazine unknown) and presents three Zippo Handilite lighters. "... and remember it is not just a table or desk lighter... it is a handilite by Zippo."

Advert: Santa Claus and Zippo, 1954

This Zippo vintage magazine advertisement was published in LIFE on December 1954. It presents a wide range of Zippo pocket lighters. Pick Santa's pockets for everybody's favorite ZIPPO! 

Dating Zippo Lighters, 1932-2007

Dating Zippo Lighters is not very complicated, both pocket and table lighters that use the typical Zippo lighter insert. Just check the markings on your Zippo and try to find it in the table below.

Year	Regular		Slim
	Left	Right	Left	Right
1932	ZIPPO MFG. CO.  BRADFORD.PA. ZIPPO PAT. PENDING    MADE IN U.S.A.		Not Made Yet
The case is 2-7/16" tall, 1/4" taller than 1934-1936 outside hinge plate models.
1933	ZIPPO MFG. CO.  BRADFORD.PA. ZIPPO PAT. PENDING    MADE IN U.S.A.		Not Made Yet
Case is still 2-7/16" tall during the 1st quarter of 1933. Mid-1933, Zippo reduced the case to 2-3/16 inches in height. True 1933's are 2-7/16" tall.
1934	ZIPPO MFG. CO.  BRADFORD.PA. ZIPPO PAT. PENDING    MADE IN U.S.A.		Not Made Yet
1935	ZIPPO MFG. CO.  BRADFORD.PA. ZIPPO PAT. PENDING    MADE IN U.S.A.		Not Made Yet
1936	ZIPPO MFG. CO.  BRADFORD.PA. ZIPPO PAT. 2032695    MADE IN U.S.A.		Not Made Yet
This 1936 model must have an outside four barrel hinge and the "PAT. PENDING" logo. All true 1936's through 1941's have to have either a flat or slightly curved outward bottom and the 2032695 patent number. The 2032695 patent number was placed on the bottom line in mid-1936.
1937-41	ZIPPO MFG. CO.  BRADFORD.PA. ZIPPO PAT. 2032695    MADE IN U.S.A.		Not Made Yet
Some 1936-40 types have flat bottoms, while other 1938-41 variants have both corners that are rounded and bottoms that are slightly curved outward.
1942	ZIPPO MFG. CO.  BRADFORD.PA. ZIPPO PAT. 203695    MADE IN U.S.A.		Not Made Yet
Some 1942 models have the 203695 patent number in lieu of the 2032695 patent number.
1942-45	ZIPPO MFG. CO.  BRADFORD.PA. ZIPPO PAT. 2032695    MADE IN U.S.A.		Not Made Yet
All true 1943-45 models will have the 2032695 PAT. NUMBER on a steel case. These do not have canned bottoms. The bottom of the case extends outward, even more profoundly than their 1938-1942 counterparts. These were black crackle WW II models. The word "ZIPPO" and the type face vary during these years, with some lettering bolder and more rounded.
1946-49	ZIPPO MFG. CO.  BRADFORD.PA. ZIPPO PAT. 2032695    MADE IN U.S.A.		Not Made Yet
Lighters made from 1946 to date have a canned bottom with the exception of replica lighters. 1946-49 models have a 3-barrel hinge. Spacing of the words, letters and the height of "ZIPPO" vary during this period.
1949-50	ZIPPO MFG. CO.  BRADFORD.PA. ZIPPO PAT. 2032695    MADE IN U.S.A.		Not Made Yet
The 1949-50 model has the exact the same bottom markings as the 1948-49 model, but it has a 5-barrel hinge on a chrome plated nickel/silver case.
1951	ZIPPO MFG. CO.  BRADFORD.PA. ZIPPO PAT. 2032695    MADE IN U.S.A.		Not Made Yet
The 1951 model had three different bottom markings (which cannot be adequately shown here)  The spacing between the words MFG. CO. and BRADFORD vary in relation to the word ZIPPO, and at times ZIPPO is shorter in height and words are closer together.
1952-53	ZIPPO MFG. CO.  BRADFORD.PA. ZIPPO PAT. 2032695    MADE IN U.S.A.		Not Made Yet
This model had a 5-barrel chrome plated steel case. There were three bottom variations. The bottom letterings were alike, but differed as far as the depth of the strike that was made when stamping it. All the "shorter and more compact" logo.
1953	ZIPPO MFG. CO. BRADFORD.PA. MADE IN  ZIPPO  U.S.A. PAT. 2517191  Ž  PAT. PEND.		Not Made Yet
This model has the "full stamp" bottom logo on a chrome plated steel case with a 5-barrel hinge. Early 1953 models had the 2032695 patent number whereas later models had the 2517191 patent number with the large pat. pending logo that covered most of the bottom of the lighter. In 1953 Zippo started using the registered trademark subscript, Ž, as part of the bottom logo.
1954-55	ZIPPO MFG. CO.  BRADFORD.PA. ZIPPO PAT. 2032695    MADE IN U.S.A.		Not Made Yet
Very similar to the 1953 model except that it has a 5-barrel hinge on a chrome-plated brass case. Later 1955 models began using the 2517191 patent number.
Mid-1955 Zippo changed the Logo to a stylized "Zorro" script style slanting from lower left side towards the upper right-hand side. The actual design is not shown in the codes below. Zippo also began adding coding marks mid-1955. The "dots" on the left and right sides of the Zippo logo are located near the top of the Zippo logo, but this couldn't be shown.
1955	BRADFORD,                             PA. ....               ZIPPO     Ž        .... PAT. 2517191               PAT. PEND.		....                ....
1956	BRADFORD,                             PA. ...               ZIPPO     Ž        .... PAT. 2517191               PAT. PEND.		....                ....
In 1956, note that one dot has been removed from the left side.
1957	BRADFORD,                             PA. ....               ZIPPO     Ž        .... PAT. 2517191		....                ....
For 1957, the left dot has returned, but the "PAT. PEND." logo has been removed.
1958	BRADFORD,                    PA. ....           ZIPPO   Ž      .... PAT. 2517191		....                ...
From 1958 to 1967, the patent numbers are centered.
1959	BRADFORD,                    PA  ...           ZIPPO   Ž      .... PAT. 2517191		...                 ...
This is a true 1959 model, with 3 dots on the left and 4 dots on the right, but there is no PAT. PEND. on a 1959 model. The 1960-67 models have the 2517191 pat. # centered as well as having the dots or slashes depending on the year. From now on only the dots or slashes are shown, but the look is exactly the the same in all other ways as above.
1960	...                  ...		..                    ...
1961	...                  ..		..                     ..
1962	..                   ..		..                     .
1963	..                    .		.                     .
1964	.                     .		.
1965	.
Zippo put no code on the bottom of a 1965 slim, so that both the regular and slim size lighters would have the the same code from then on.
1966	| | | |                        | | | |		the same
1967	| | | |                         | | |		the same
1968	| | |                           | | |		the same
1969	| | |                           | |		the same
Zippo made two changes on the bottom of the cases mid-1969. Zippo used a new press machine in 1969 which caused the  "canned" bottom of the lighter to be more dented in. Also, at this time, Zippo changed the "Z" logo on the word Zippo and gave the letter "Z" a "tail" hanging down on the right side. Therefore there are two different logos on a 1969 lighter.
1970	| |                            | |		the same
1971	| |                             |		the same
1972	|                              |		the same
1973	|		the same
1974	////                      ////		the same
1975	////                       ///		the same
1976	///                      ///		the same
1977	///                        //		the same
1978	//                        //		the same
1979	/                        //		the same
1979 marked the last year Zippo used the "Zorro" style "Z" on the word Zippo. 1980 marked the first year of the stylized "Zippo" logo were the letters "Z" and "i" are connected and a flame takes the place of the "dot" in the letter "i". In addition, the words "Bradford, PA." were moved below the word Zippo. From  1980 to date Zippo has used many different bottom logos, even for the the same year (although their code system is still accurate).
1980	/                         /		the same
1981	/		the same
1982	\\\\                        \\\\		the same
1983	\\\\                        \\\		the same
1984	\\\                         \\\		the same
1985	\\\                         \\		the same
1986	\\                          \\		the same
Effective 7-1-86 the above system was replaced by a YEAR/LOT code. Year is noted in Roman Numerals whereas Letters designate LOT month (A=Jan., B=Feb., etc.) The LOT letter designation is to the left of the word Zippo, and the Roman Numeral is to the right.
1986	A to L                  II		the same
1987	A to L                  III		the same
1988	A to L                  IV		the same
1989	A to L                  V		the same
1990	A to L                  VI		the same
1991	A to L                 VII		the same
1992	A to L                 VIII		the same
1993	A to L                   IX		the same
1994	A to L                   X		the same
1995	A to L                  XI		the same
1996	A to L                 XII		the same
1997	A to L                 XIII		the same
1998	A to L                 XIV		the same
1999	A to L                 XV		the same
2000	A to L                 XVI		the same
2001	A to L                   01		the same
2002	A to L                 02		the same
2003	A to L                 03		the same
2004	A to L                 04		the same
2005	A to L                 05		the same
2006	A to L                 06		the same
2007	A to L                 07		the same

Advert: Zippo Cigarette Lighters for Dad, 1953

This Zippo ad was published in Life Magazine on the 14^th of June, 1953. It features four Zippo pocket lighters.

Advert: Zippo Barcroft No. 3, 1953

This Zippo ad was published in Life Magazine on the 14^th of December, 1953. It features Zippo pocket lighters as well as the Barcroft model no. 3 table lighter. This layout was used in more than 50 other Zippo advertisements.

Advert: Zippo Cigarette Lighters, 1954

This Zippo advertisement was published in the LIFE  magazine on the 4h April 1954. Below the Zippo Barcroft # 4 Table Lighter is depicted.

Advert: Zippo Matchless Performance, 1940

This Zippo magazine advertisement was published in Life on the 25th November 1940. It depicts a lady lightning up her cigarette with a Zippo in the wind. The picture of the "Windy Girl" also called "Windproof Beauty" or "Windy Varga Girl" created by the famous pin-up illustrator Enoch Bolles  (1883-1976) became soon an icon of the Zippo brand as she appeared in numerous ads mark in the 1930s and 1940s. On the ad the No. 10 Zippo Table Lighter is present.

 

Advert: Zippo lighters inc. Zippo Moderne + Corinthian, 1961

This Zippo advertisement was published in the Christmas edition of LIFE magazine on the 8th December 1961. Between different Zippo pocket lighters there are two table lighters - the Zippo Moderne and Zippo Corinthian (in the center).

Zippo Lady Bradford Table Lighter patent, 1951

On the 12th June, 1951 the United States Patent Office patented the second Zippo Table Lighter marketed since 1949 as Lady Bradford. The name of the "inventor" and designer was Gerald Stahl. Below the specification of it:

Cigarette lighter patents

A big part of the vintage lighters was patented. The most significant number of patents for cigarette lighters was filled in the United States of America, German, England, France and Canada. Next to catalogs and advertisements patents are a good reference for lighters collectors. In most cases the access to patent bases is free. Below an example of a patent documentation for the Zippo Table Lighter from the 1956 consisting of five pages.

Advert: Zippo lighters inclusive Zippo Lady Bradford, 1951

 

This Zippo advertisement was published in the Christmas edition of LIFE  magazine on the 10th Dezember 1951. Beyond different Zippo pocket lighters one can see the a table lighter - the proud Zippo Lady Bradford which was introduced in 1949.

Zippo Moderne, 1960

The Zippo Moderne Table Lighter was first manufactured in 1960, next to the Zippo Corinthian desk-top lighter, in Bradford, Pennsylvania in the United States. Both the Moderne and Corinthian were discontinued in 1966 though they were marketed till 1967. It is worth to mention that in this period Zippo marketed three different models of table lighters: Zippo Moderne, Zippo Corinthian and Zippo Barcroft.

The Zippo Moderne was available in three finishes:

• black and rhodium (no. 1310), 
• bright rhodium (no. 1315),
• satin rhodium (no. 1320). 

All three were selling for the same price of $12.50. It might be interesting to know that during the time of production the Zippo Moderne has changed a little bit. The face lifting was connected with rounding the edge of the pedestal which was till 1963 more sharp.

The slim removable lighter insert unit was also used in the Zippo Corinthian. The base is padded with black felt and marked: ZIPPO (R). The Zippo lighter insert is also marked: 

ZIPPO MFG. CO. BRADFORD, PA.

MADE IN ZIPPO U.S.A.

PAT. 2517191 (R) PAT. PENDING

or (later version)

ZIPPO MFG. CO. BRADFORD, PA.

MADE IN ZIPPO U.S.A.

PAT. 2517191 (R) PAT. 2940286

Type: wick (petrol) lighter 

Scarcity: rare

Value for good–mint condition: $100.00–150.00 (approx €70.00–100.00)

Weight: 240 grams (0.53 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 12.5 cm (4.9")
• diameter: 5.8 cm (2.3")

Zippo Corinthian Table Lighter, 1960

The Zippo Corinthian Table Lighter was first manufactured in 1960 next to the Zippo Moderne desk-top lighter in Bradford, Pennsylvania in the United States. Both the Moderne and Corinthian were discontinued in 1966 though they were marketed till 1967. This is the best looking table lighter produced so far by Zippo. It has a delicate shape of an urn which makes it quite handy. The Zippo Corinthian was available in three finishes:

• bright rhodium (no. 1710), 
• turquoise and rhodium (no. 1715),
• pearlescent rhodium (no. 1720). 

All were selling for the same price of $16.50 but only two had a delicate high-fired enamel (in turquoise and pearlescent color). The 1960s were the only period in the history when Zippo marketed three different models of table lighters (see picture on the left: Zippo Moderne, Zippo Corinthian and Zippo Barcroft).

The slim lighter insert is removable and was also used in the Zippo Moderne. The base of the lighter is padded with black felt and marked: ZIPPO (R). The Zippo lighter insert is also marked: 

ZIPPO MFG. CO. BRADFORD, PA.

MADE IN ZIPPO U.S.A.

PAT. 2517191 (R)

Type: wick (petrol) lighter 

Scarcity: uncommon-rare


Value for very good–mint condition: $100.00–160.00 (approx €85.00–140.00)

Weight: 220 grams (0.49 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 10.5 cm (4.0")
• diameter: 5.9 cm (2.3")