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.

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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")

M.T.C. Chromium Swan, 1960

This table lighter in a distinguished form of a young swan was manufactured in the beginning of the 1960s by M.T.C. in Japan. M.T.C. was a quite successful Japanese company active in the 50's and 60's. There are a lot of interesting examples of the craftsmanship of M.T.C. Looking around the lighter market M.T.C. produced mainly chrome plate cigarette lighters.

The Swan is made of heavy chrome plate and the lighter insert is not removable.

The letters M.T.C. are inscribed in a bell on the bottom of the lighter base.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $20.00–40.00 (approx €15.00–25.00)

Weight: 205 grams (0,57 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.5 cm (3")
• width: 3.9 cm (1.5")
• length: 8.5 cm (3.5")

MaruMan T2 Electric, 1970

The MaruMan T2 Electric Table Lighter was marketed in the 1970 in Japan. It is one of the most interesting examples of the evolution of piezoelectric technology fitted in MaruMan table lighters. The first Maruman piezoelectric table lighter was introduced in 1967 and simply called "Business Lighter". It was three years after (December 1964) Mansei Koyo Kabushiki Kaisa of the MaruMan company produced the first piezo lighter in the world.

This unique table lighter is made of various materials: brass with gold plating, black and white plastic and of course the heavy hand-cut leadcrystal. The mechanism of the lighter is very simple though still sophisticated: when the white button is pressed the lighter lits and also a lamp build into the crystal turns red. When the button is released  the lamp turns blue. When the button is pressed again both the light and lighter are switched off.

On the lead crystal is a sticker saying:

Imported 

Leadcrystal

Hand cut

The flame control, filling hole and the battery compartment are situated in the plastic base which is padded with green felt. It is also marked:

ELECTRIC TABLE GAS LIGHTER

T2

MaruMan

PAT.

Very similar lighters were manufactured also by another Japanese company called "Modern", for example its model "Gloria".

Type: electric gas (butane) lighter 

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $80.00–120.00 (approx €60.00–90.00)

Weight: 810 grams (1.79 pounds) - without batteries

Dimensions:

• height: 17.0 cm (6.7")
• diameter: 10.9 cm (4.3")

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")

Dunhill Sabre Jet Fighter, 1954

The Dunhill 'Jet Plane' Lighter is depicting the famous North American Aviation F-86 Sabre a transonic jet fighter aircraft. The  Sabrejet set its first official world speed record of 570 mph (920 km/h) in September 1948. Six years later in 1954 in England this heavy Dunhill figural lighter was manufactured. The production ceased in 1961.

The table lighter was available in polished chrome and also black lacquered.  It ignites automatically when the button in the engine intake at the front is pushed – then the canopy opens and exposes the flame. Very efficient and solid mechanism – works at every single try. The base is padded with green felt. Below a drawing of the Sabre F-86.

The Dunhill Sabre Jet is also known under other names like: Dunhill Jet Plane Lighter or Dunhill Airplane (Aeroplane) Table Lighter or just Dunhill Jet Fighter.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Marked on the underside of the base:

dunhill

REG. DES. APPL. NO. 872899
MADE IN ENGLAND

Scarcity: rare

Value for good–mint condition: $240.00–450.00 (approx €115.00–350.00)

Weight: 580 grams (1,28 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.3 cm (3.3")
• width: 14.9 cm (5.9")
• length: 16.1 cm (6.3")