Carrier, Luminus electrical lighter, Paris 1900

The "Luminus" electrical lighter (fr. Allumoir électrique) was invented, patented and manufactured by BERNARD-ALEXANDRE CARRIER in 1900 in Paris (rue Fenelon 7), France. It based on the invention of a fluid cell battery by Grenet

It was advertised in the French press as "essential device for you. Instant light by pressing a button" (fr. Appareil indispendable chez soi. Lumiere instantanee en pressant un bouton)". It was the best known bichromate electric lighter and the "Luminus" name is now in use for other lighters that type as well.

The Luminus lighter operated on a liquid battery (bichromate potassium) and carbon electrodes that were situated in the bigger glass bottle. By pressing the button a zinc plate submerges into the fluid and current is flowing into the platinum filament which is glowing. It lights up the pilot wick which lights the main wick for longer use without need to keep the button pressed and stressing the battery. Both wicks were emersed in petrol in the small bottle. According to Carrier 600 ignitions were possible till a next refill of bichromate potassium.

The first model of the Luminus lighter won the gold medal at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris and was replaced in 1904 by the second model which introduced a second cap and was produced until 1914 (vide patent drawings no. FR3883).

The glass bottles of the Luminus were made mainly in cobalt blue, less common are light blue, green, yellow or orange glass. The lighter is unmarked. The LUMINUS lighter is exposed among others at the: Deutsches Heildelberg Museum-Castle and Museum Bryant & May to London-Museum of Arts&Crafts in Paris.

Type: electrical petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon-rare

Value for very good condition: 300 USD (approx. 250€)

Weight: ca. 600 grams

Dimensions:

• height: 22.5 cm
• width: 10 cm

Hermès / Ravinet D'Enfert Lighter Holder for Feudor Disposable Lighter, France ca. 1975

Hermès is a French high fashion luxury goods manufacturer established in 1837. It specializes mainly in leather and lifestyle accessories. Only a few lighter models were branded with Hermes but they were all made by third companies. 

The lighter holder below is a rare item made in small quantity in Paris, France in the 1970s. It was made of brass and heavy silver-plated. The concept of selling such item by Hermes was a bit risky and in the end the market did not accept it. It was expensive and the disposable Feudor gas lighter insert made in Philippines did not match the high-end user expectations. It was the cheapest (4.50 French Francs) disposable lighter Feudor was offering on the market!

The lighter holder was made by Ravinet (Louis) and D'Enfert (Charles) in Paris, France. The company was founded in 1891 and was a leading company in silver and plated silver production which won several international awards during the art deco period (1920-1940). The company ceased activity in 1984. Their address used to be Hotel de Caumartin, 83 rue du Temple, Paris.

The Feudor lighter insert was called the "stick lighter" (fr. le stick), it was cylindrical in shape and could not be refilled. It was a typical throw away item. The Feudor tank was made of a semi-transparent plastic in various colors (vide infra the magazine advertisement from 1974). It was ready available in the 1970s. The top of the lighter and the bottom are made of gold-washed metal. The lighter stick is equipped with a flame adjuster.

The base of the lighter is made in shape of a nest and marked on the bottom: Hermès Paris. Made in France. Also a logo (master mark) of Ravinet D'Enfert logo is punched - RD with a clover resembling a cross. A later version of this holder has a hole punched on the center in order to make it easier to remove the lighter insert.

Scarcity: rare–very rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $120.00–150.00

Weight: ca. 160 grams (without Feudor lighter)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.5 cm (without lighter)
• diameter: 4.5 cm

Phoenix Bird Match Holder, France 1870s

Match holders are another interesting discipline of collecting smoking related items. They were made in various forms and in almost every available material. Match holders made their appearance by the 1850s, ca. 20 years after the first friction match was invented in 1827 by John Walker.

Below is an example of a phoenix bird match holder for tabletop made in France in the 1870s. It is made from a non-magnetic alloy containing mainly zinc and lead. The bird perched on the side of the box has a double pin in his beak and when his head is pushed down he spears a match and retrieves it. The striking surface is located on the back of the phoenix. It is marked (modèle) "déposé" which means that the design was officially registered in France. 

A very good book for collectors on match holders was written by Jean and Franklin Hunting "Collectible Match Holders for Tabletops and Walls. With Price Guide". Well worth the money. It contains 541 photographs with descriptions as well as information on the history of matches and match holders and design patents and their time frames.

"Neighbours" postcard, France 1951

Here is an an example of a colorful and humoristic postcard from the early 1950s illustrated by Pierre Ryreze and edited by d'Art BelFrance. It depicts a meeting of neighbors. One of them is asking "Are you moving around?" In reply he gets this: "No, I have mounted a wood gas generator to my lighter!!" 

The postcard design no. is 508. It was printed by FAP in France.

Advert: Lancel Briquets, 1928

This full-page black&white Lancel advertisement was published in October 1928 in a French magazine called L'Illustration. A nice example of Art Deco graphic design.

Advert: Ronson "Le Dix" Table Lighter, 1977

This Ronson advertisement was published in a French magazine on 1977. It depicts the Ronson Varaflame "Le Dix" butane table lighter with a heavy pewter base and two gas pocket lighters; the Ronson "Electric 7" and "Veratronic". The "Le Dix" table lighter was marketed in the USA as the "Varaflame Tankard".

Flamidor Lift Arm Table Lighter, 1935

This interesting lift arm table lighter marked "Unis France" was manufactured between 1935 and 1939 by J. Quercia (Flamidor) in (176, Rue St. Martin) Paris, France. Flamidor is one of the most famous and oldest lighter manufacturer in the world. The business was established by Janvier Quercia in 1890 in the Marais district of Paris. At the beginning Quercia was manufacturing cabinets and silverware. After 1906 the company markets the first Quercia lighter and since 1908 it manufacturers even more lighter models. In 1935 Marcel Quercia became the director of Flamidor which is the ancestor of the Flaminaire brand.

The semi-automatic wick table lighter was available in various finishes, mainly nickel plate over brass and covered with leather. Flamidor manufactured this lighter in two sizes - the shorter one is depicted. They were widely promoted in French magazines in 1935-1938 as "le briquet de bureau chic". It is also worth to mention that Unis France (Union Nationale Inter-Syndicale) was established in 1916 and was an organization promoting French products. The headquarters of Unis France was 41 Rue de Maubeuge, Paris, France. The organization was active till 1940.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Marked on the underside:

QUERCIA
BREVETE S.G.D.G. (type of a French patent without state warranty)

FLAMIDOR
MARQUE DEPOSEE
UNIS
FRANCE
BBR (bleu, blanc, rouge; colors of the French flag: blue, white, red)

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for good–mint condition: $50–100.00 (approx €40–80.00)

Weight: 200 grams (7 ¹/₈ oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.3 cm (2.9")
• width: 8.7 cm (3.4")
• depth: 3.7 cm  (1.4")

Rustic Lift Arm Table Lighter, 1931

This stylish Art Deco lift arm Table Lighter was manufactured between 1931 and 1937 by Rustic in France. It was available in various finishes, mainly nickel plate and brass.

The outer case can be find in enamel, leather. The lighter is very robust and heavy as it is made of solid brass. 

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Marked on the underside:

 [French tax plate]

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for good–mint condition: $60–120.00 (approx €45–90.00)

Weight: 265 grams (9 ¹/₃ oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 10.3 cm (4.1")
• width: 7.5 cm (3")
• depth: 2.8 cm  (1.1")

Advert: Silver Match Gas Cigarette Lighters, 1957

This full page color advertisement was published in a French magazine in 1957. It present among others the "Le DIRECTOIRE" gas table lighter made by Silver Match.

Advert: Silver Match Gas Cigarette Lighters, 1957

This full page color advertisement was published in a French magazine in 1957. It present the all new Silver Match gas lighters in different finishes.

Excise duties on French lighters, 1910–1945

On 10th December 1910 the French state adopted new tax regulations on "all devices indented to produce spark or fire by friction, or by any other means, and of the combustion of a flammable substance". Since 1st January 1911 every lighter in France that was intended for sale in the French market had to be taxed and adequately marked (see pictures).

To confirm that the excise duty was paid to the Ministry of Finance a special duty metal plate (stamp) was attached (usually welded) to the lighter by the lighter manufacturers. The fees charged by the French state were high but the tax rates levied by the state were varying depending on the type and finish of the lighter. Following tax rates were used:

• 2 French francs for common pocket lighters,
• 5 Fr for pocket lighters made of silver,
• 20 Fr for luxury pocket lighters (e.g. made of gold),
• 5 Fr for common table/desk lighters (over 10 cm),
• 10 Fr for table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of silver,
• 50 Fr for luxury table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of gold or platinum.

Between 1911 and 1916 a simple cooper plate was used which had the date 1911 engraved. Later, between 1916 and 1945 a new plate (undated) was introduced with the letters "C" and "I" (stands for indirect taxes) and a profile of Mercury (patron god of financial gain, commerce and messengers) with an inscription "Ministère des Finances" (eng. Ministry of Finance). Two shapes were used for the plate – oval for table lighters, the other one for pocket lighters. Additional to the two duty plates a marking "BL" (Briquet de Luxe, eng. luxury lighter) was introduced in 1926. It was a small hallmark which was considered as more discreet and applied only on luxury lighters like Quercia or Lancel.  

It is worth to mention that France was not the sole country where lighters were taxed and marked with special plates. A similar law was constituted in Belgium and Spain although it was applied for a short time. The taxation of lighters in France was abolished in 1945.

How are St. Dupont Lighters made? Watch this video!

Advert: Ronson Varaflame Premier & Rafale Pocket Lighters, 1960

This Ronson magazine advertisement was published in an unknown French magazine in 1960. It depicts Ronson pocket butane lighter models such as: Varaflame Premier and Rafale.

Flaminaire Quercia Gentry Table Lighter, 1947

The Flaminaire Gentry Desk/Table Lighter was the first gas lighter in the world to be sold commercially. The manufacturing started in Paris, France in 1947 and lasted till 1951. The lighter itself was presented to the wide audience at the Hotel Crillon in Paris on 19th of June 1947. The appearance of a new lighter concept was accompanied by full page magazine advertisements. The lighter itself was very expensive – 20,000 Francs (average French salary) and only few could afford it. The best markets for the Gentry except France were the United Kingdom and USA.

The marketing success of the Gentry and other models made by Flaminaire like Baronet began a new era in the lighter industry. The manufacturers were starting to switch from gasoline to gas which involved new inventions that allowed among others to resign from the factory made "butagaz" tanks used by the Gentry.

The Gentry lighter was based on Pingeot patent dated March 21, 1935 which was sold to Marcel Quercia. After the II World War M. Quercia together with the Shell corporation started to refine and manufacture the idea of Pingeot. Soon the Buta-bloc lighter was born, so named to identify the lighter’s butane gas refill system which was patented in France in 1946 (patent no. FR 912414-A). The design of the Flaminaire was patented a year later in Jul, 1 1947 by Marcel Quercia and Georges Ferdinand (patent no. FR 923219-A, see below).

The body of the table lighter was made of brass and was available in at least six different finishes:

1. Gold plate combined with pearl brown lacquer (very rare, from 1949).
2. Silver plate combined with black lacquer (rare).
3. Silver plate with dotted texture (rare).
4. Silver plate with vertical stripes (rare, see picture).
5. Silver plate mainly covered with alligator skin (rare).

The Gentry Lighter is marked on the bottom:

Fonctionne au BUTAGAZ

FLAMINAIRE

Mis en service le

Brevete France & Etranger

QUERCIA 

PARIS

MADE IN FRANCE

The gas tank allowed according to Flaminaire for 10000 lits. And if the gas tank was empty you had to buy another one. If you want to dismantle the lighter this video might be helpful.

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Scarcity: rare to very rare (dependent on finish)

Value for very good–mint condition: $100.00–200.00 (approx. €75.00–150.00)

Weight: 340 grams (0.75 lbs)

Dimensions:

• height: 99 mm (3.9")
• width: 72 mm (2.8")
• depth: 36 mm (1.4")

Advert: S. T. Dupont Briquets, 1959

A French black&white full-page magazine advertisement published on June 1959. It depicts a pocket butane lighter made by S. T. Dupont.

Advert: Silver Match Briquets, 1957

A French full-page magazine advertisement published on May 1957.

F. Belleri, Limoges Table Lighter, ca 1934

This French porcelain table lighter decorated with delicate hand painted colorful floral bouquets was assembled by F. Belleri & Co ca. in the 1933.

The semi-automatic wick lighter insert is unmarked. It is made of brass and is quite robust. The white glazed base of the lighter was entirely made by hand in Limoges, France which is known for its 19th-century Limoges porcelain. Very clean decoration.

Marked on the bottom of the porcelain base:

F. BELLERI & Co
St. ETIENNE (Loire)
MODĘLE DĘPOSE
BELIEF
MAIN
LIMOGES FRANCE

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: very rare

Value for good–mint condition: $60.00–100.00 (approx €15.00–30.00)

Weight:

• 370 grams (0.81 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.7 cm (3.4")
• width: 5.5 cm (2.2")
• length: 8.3 cm (3.3")

Ad: Quercia Flaminaire Lighters, 1948

This one of a kind vintage magazine advertisement was published in a French magazine Plaisire de France in 1948. It presents a small range of lighters manufactured by Quercia in Paris, France:

• Gentry table lighter which is considered to be the first butane lighter in the world,
• Crillon pocket lighter,
• and the Flaminaire Baronet. 

Evans & Limoges Table Lighter, 1956

This French porcelain table lighter decorated with delicate hand painted floral bouquets on a white background framed in gilt scrollwork was manufactured in cooperation with Evans U.S.A. in 1956. Evans provided the gold-tone brass insert and the Limoges Castel Porcelains factory the white glazed porcelain base.

The green Limoges FRANCE mark was used by Limoges Castel Porcelains between 1955 and 1979. They were known for manufacturing Limoges boxes which were decorated mostly with transfers. The factory was established in 1944 and is still active today as a part of Haviland Co.

Marked on the bottom of the base:

Hand Painted
Limoges
FRANCE

Lighter insert marked:

EVANS
U.S.A.

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $20.00–40.00 (approx €15.00–30.00)

Weight:

• 195 grams (0.43 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 9.5 cm (3.74")
• diameter: 6.5 cm (2.56")
  

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")