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")