Cartier Paris 303 Table Lighter, 1997

This modern Cartier Paris 303 Table Lighter was made in the late 1990s by Cartier  S.A. in Switzerland. It is an oval shaped semiautomatic table lighter made in brush silver finish with a gold plated ring on the top.

Cartier is renowned French luxury jeweler and watch manufacturer founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier when he took over the workshop of his master. The product range of Cartier ranges today from timepieces, leather goods to accessories such as cigarette lighters.

It is marked on the bottom:

Cartier Paris  303
SWISS MADE
SN

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for mint condition: $350.00–400.00 (approx €250.00–300.00)

Weight: 135 grams (0.3 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 1.2 cm (0.5")
• width: 2.5 cm (1.0")
• length: 12.4 cm (4.9")

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")

Zippo Handilite, 1979

The Zippo Handylite was introduced in 1979. It was manufactured in various finishes till 1999 in Bradford, United States. This table lighter is a simple combination of a traditional Zippo pocket lighter and an attachable pedestal base.

It was available among others in (see picture below):

• Brush Chrome, no. 200H,
• High Polish Gold Electroplate, no. 250GH,
• Regular Black Matte with Horse, no. 218H-HG,
• High Polish Gold Electroplate with Bighorn Sheep (Ram), no. 250GH-RM,
• High Polish Gold Electroplate with Snoozin' Camel.

The lighter can be removed from the pedestal (which could be purchased separately) and used as a normal Zippo pocket lighter. Most regular size Zippo lighters are adaptable to Handilite. The lighter base is padded with black felt and it is marked:  

ZIPPO (R) 

Bradford, PA USA

See also the Zippo Handilite magazine advertisement.

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good-mint condition: $34.00–125.00 (approx €60.00–65.00)

Weight: 200 grams (0.44 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 9.1 cm (3.6")
• diameter: 3.8 cm (1.5")