Cigarette Lighter Museums all over the world

There are not many museums devoted to lighters in the world. The most impressive permanent collection has the National Lighter Museum in the US.

North America

National Lighter Museum
Address: 5715 Sooner Rd, Guthrie, Oklahoma, United States
More info: http://www.nationallightermuseum.com/index.html

Zippo Museum
Address: 1932 Zippo Drive, Bradford, Pensylvania, United States
More info: http://www.zippo.com/ZippoCaseMuseum/index.aspx

Asia

Cigarette Lighter Museum (Raita Hakubutsukan)
Address: Sumida ward, Mukojima 1-27-6, Tokyo, Japan
More information: http://www.quirkyjapan.or.tv/museums.html

Europe

The Phillumeny Museum (Muzeum Filumenistyczne)

Address: Mały Rynek 1, Bystrzyca Kłodzka, Poland

More information: http://www.muzeum-filumenistyczne.pl/english-version.html

Edwin Preibisch, Feuerzeugmuseum
Address: Bergerstraße 136, Köln (Porz-Eil), Germany

Do you know more museums featuring lighters and other tobacciana? Let me know and I will add it to that list!

Tobacciana Video Commercials

Do you remember the times when smoking was everywhere and when cigarettes were perceived as healthy? Yes, even doctors and cartoon characters advertised cigarettes. Below some of the most interesting examples.

S.T. Dupont Cylinder Table Lighter, 1971

The S.T. Dupont Cylinder Table Lighter model is a modern example of a luxury gas cigarette lighter made in France. It was marketed since 1971 around the world and discontinued probably in 1997. It had a three year guarantee and came in a red giftbox. 

The lighter is electroplated in 18 karat gold and covered in black Chinese lack. It was also available only in gold or silver plate finish. 

Turn the gold plated hand wheel to the left and the flame appears. You migh also change the shape of the flame when the top is open. On the bottom there is the gas filler and the height controler.

This Dupont butane table lighter is marked on the bottom as well on the front of the hand wheel: 

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for mint condition: $300-500

Weight: 515 grams (1.35 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 10.9 cm (4.3")
• diameter: 4.4 cm (1.73")

Advert: A·S·R· The 'Heritage' & 'Classic' Table Lighters, 1949

Xmas magazine advertisement published in LIFE, on the 5th December 1949. It depicts among others two table lighters: 'Heritage' & 'Classic' made by A·S·R· Corp (Ascot).

Tinder Pistol Lighter, ca. 1710–1730

Tinder Pistol Lighters are the earliest lighters. They were invented in the mid-seventeenth century. They were converted by gunsmiths from broken guns and used the barrel to store tinder instead of gunpowder. The working mechanism was simple though not very save to use at home - the trigger released a mechanism that struck a piece of iron and directed the sparks onto the tinder which ignite. Tinder pistols were expensive and were owned only by a small and wealthy minority of households.

The described flintlock tinder pistol was most probably made between 1710 and 1730 in Europe. It has a interesting shaped wooden handle finished with a ivory bead. The body, trigger and hammer are made of steel. In the picture below one can see the compartment for tinder and a receptacle for a small candle. This Tinder Pistol is not marked.

How does a tinder pistol lighter work? Tinder pistols do have a hidden compartment on the back side of the action used for storing tinder. When the trigger is pulled the cock drops throwing a shower of sparks into the tinder thus starting a small flame from which the candle is ignited. The lit candle was then used to light fires, stoves, other candles, etc. around the home.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: very rare

Value for very good condition: $700.00–900.00 (approx €500.00–700.00)

Weight: 240 grams (0.53 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height:   8.5 cm (4.35")
• length: 18.0 cm (7.1")
• width:   4.5 cm (1.78")

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.

Acknowledgements

The time is passing by and the "Table Lighters Collectors' Guide" is one year old! I am also happy to announce that this post has a nice round number 100. I assume that this is a good reason to sum up my activity.

This blog was visited 17135 times since the 10th April, 2009. There were 36,690 pageviews. Other information below:

Money earned owing your contribution on clicking on the google adverts: $52. Thank you! Owing to this amount I have acquired two books on cigarette lighters that will help me sharing with you my knowledge.

The blog was visited by people from 107 countries all over the world, most of them came from the United States (52%), United Kingdom (15%), Poland (6%), Canada (4%) and Germany (2,12%).

I would like to thank all my readers for their visits, comments and 'clicks' which does motivate me to a better work. I hope I do fulfill your expectations and that I still have the power to improve this site.

Advert: Ronson Fantasy Table Lighter, 1956

The Ronson magazine advertisement from LIFE published on the 29th of October 1956 depicts a sculptured table lighter with the Essex fitment - Ronson Fantasy. Not easy to get these days.

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.

Zygmunt Konopczyński, Zapalniczka "Płomień", 1924

The "Płomień" lighter was manufactured by Zygmunt Konopczyński's factory in Warsaw, Poland. It was marketed during the interwar period, between 1924 and 1939. The lighter gained significant popularity during World War II and was regarded as standard equipment for Polish soldiers.

Despite its large size, the lighter was not intended as a table or desk lighter, but rather as a pocket or bag lighter. Smaller sizes were available. The construction is simple, made of brass.

The base of the lighter is marked:

SW.URZ.PATENT. 463
WARSZAWA
Z. KONOPCZYŃSKI

Type: manual wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $20-30

Weight: 115–125 grams

Dimensions:

• height: 8.3 cm (3.3")
• width: 4.6 cm (1.8")
• depth: 2 cm (0.8") 

Advert: Ronson Crown, Touch-Tip Table Lighters, 1941

The Ronson magazine advertisements from LIFE published on 1 December 1941 depicts among others the best sold table lighter ever - the Ronson Crown - this cigarette lighter was manufactured almost unchanged for more than 18 years! Other table lighters were not yet described on this blog: both are Ronson Touch-Tips: Touch-Tip with Cigarette Box and the uncommon Touch-Tip Oval.

Benlow Golmet Table Lighter, ca. 1940

The Benlow "Golmet" Table Lighter was manufactured in ca. 1940 in England by the Benlow Company which was established in 1933 by Benno Löwenthal. Benno was the brother of Julius Löwenthal - the co-founder of Colibri (England) and Ibelo (Germany). 

The body of the lighter is made of aluminium so despite of its size it is quite light. It was manufactured in different colors like gold tone (picture), brown, black or even red. This wick lighter is based on a rollalite mechanism. Marked on the bottom:

BENLOW GOLMET

MADE IN ENGLAND

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $25.00–40.00 (approx €15.00–25.00)

Weight: 175 grams (0.4 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 10.9 cm (4.3")
• width: 5.8 cm (2.3")
• depth: 3.8 cm (1.5")

Advert: Ronson Queen Anne, Decanter Deluxe, Crown, Adonis, Whirlwind, Standard..., 1947

Vintage magazine advertisements and catalogs are the most reliable source of information on lighters. Ronson is the best example for a broad variety of great adverts - the best years are the 1940s and 1950s. Below a Ronson magazine advertisement from LIFE published on 24 November 1947 depicting: 

• table lighters - Ronson Queen Anne, Decanter Deluxe and Crown;
• pocket lighters - Ronson Standard, Whirlwind, Mastercase, Adonis and Banker.

Quercia, Flaminaire Baronet Butagaz, 1948

The Flaminaire Baronet is classic of gas lighters. It was made in 1948 by Quercia in Paris, France. The production of this model ceased in 1956. The Flaminaire lighters were one of the first lighters that used a disposable butane tank. It was a strong brand in France and Canada owing to its innovative attitude and various designs and patterns of the table lighters.

The Flaminaire Baronet was available in up to twenty different finishes. The version depicted on the right is covered in brown leather. 

The body of this lighter is made of brass and gold colored. The bottom is padded with black felt. The lighter is marked:

FLAMINAIRE
Quercia
PARIS
BARONET
FUNCTIONNE AU BUTAGAZ
BREVETE FRANCE ET ETRANGER
MADE IN FRANCE

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very very good–mint condition: $50.00–90.00 (approx €35.00–60.00)

Weight: 160 grams (0.35 pounds), without cable

Dimensions:

• height: 9.5 cm (3.7") 
• width: 5.4 cm (2.1") 
• depth: 3.3 cm (1.3")

Advert: Ronson Nordic Table Lighter in black marble, 1956

A full-page magazine advertisement devoted in all the nifty Ronson Nordic Table Lighter made of black marble. Published in LIFE 21 May 1956.

Advert: A·S·R· The Heritage Set in Cooper and Brass, 1950

Great magazine advertisement published in LIFE, 5 July 1950. It depicts the The Heritage Set made by A·S·R· Corp (Ascot).

Advert: Ronson Decor, 1955

Great magazine advertisement published in LIFE, 2 May 1955. It depicts the Ronson Decor wick table lighter.

S.T. Dupont, Diamond Head Table Lighter, 1995

The S.T. Dupont Diamond Head Table Lighter model (catalogue no. 27211) is a modern example of a luxury gas cigarette lighter made in France. It was marketed since 1995 around the world and discontinued in 1999. It had a three year guarantee and was something between a pocket lighter and table lighter. 

The lighter is heavily electroplated in 18 karat gold and was also available in silver plate finish. Both had the iconic Diamond Head pattern. Not many of them were actualy manufactured and sold which might be explained taking into account the very high price. The quality of this lighter is high though it does not fully justify the price which was above $1250. The construction as well the size does remind on the 1975 S.T. Dupont "Line I" model which was available also in gold plate and additionally in tortoise enamel.

This Dupont has a typical rollalite mechanism used since the 1940s in different brands. It is a tall and slim lighter marked on the bottom: 

S.T. Dupont

PARIS

MADE IN FRANCE

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for mint condition: $700.00 (approx €500.-)

Weight: 215 grams (0.47 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 12.4 cm (4.88")
• width: 3.7 cm (1.46")
• depth: 1.1 cm (0.43")

Rosenthal Marktredwitz Electric Table Lighter, 1946

The Rosenthal Marktredwitz Table Lighter was made in the second half of the 1940s, perhaps in the year 1946 by Rosenthal Porzellan AG in Marktredwitz, Germany (U.S. occupied zone). Previously the fabric was called "Porzellanfabrik Thomas & Ens" and was founded in 1904 by Fritz Thomas. But only five years later, the porcelain factory, by then called "F. Thomas, Marktredwitz", was acquired by Rosenthal and since then it was a Rosenthal's Division.

The table lighter has an electric filament (manufacturer unknown) and a push-button mechanism. When the button on the left is pushed the coiled element on the top glows. It was only made in the 110/220 volt version they were used at home and in public places. They were connected to the electrical source via cable. The body of the electrical lighter is made of Rosethal's porcelain lacquered in brown and white. On the front one can see an oriental picture.

Marked on the bottom:

Marktredwitz

GERMANIA

US ZONE

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $60.00–75.00 (approx €40.00–50.00)

Weight: 250 grams (0,55 pounds), without cable

Dimensions:

• height: 9.0 cm (3.5") 
• diameter: 7.0 cm (2.8") 

Gebrüder Köllisch, Consul Arlac, 1963

This Consul Arlac table lighter was made in 1963 by Gebrüder Köllisch A.G. The company was situated in Nürnberg, West Germany. The first Consul table lighter was introduced in 1952 and the company prospered well till 1971/1972 when it was acquired by the giant Braun.  

The Arlac model is a butane gas and flint lighter. It has its flame control switch on the top. The cover is made of black plastic and the rest is made of brass with gold plating. A nice decorative table lighter. Please notice that in the picture above the lighter lies on its beg. 

Marked on the face: Arlac Consul.


What is interesting almost the same design was applied for a Brown and Bigelow Lighter which was marked Remembrance. The size was exactly the same as in Consul Arlac.

Scarcity: uncommon-rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $55.00–70.00 (approx €35.00–45.00)

Weight: 235 grams (0,52 pounds)

Dimensions:

• length: 14.9 cm (5.9") 
• width: 6.6 cm (2.6") 
• height: 3.6 cm (1.4")