Catalog: S. Sakakura Cigarette Lighters and Cases, Japan 1930s

S. Sakakura was a Japanese company specializing in production of good quality cigarette lighters. Below the whole table lighters section from the 9th catalog from the 1930s. Enjoy!

Japanese Horse-Drawn Carriage Table Lighter, 1959

This nice figural table lighter was manufactured between 1959 and 1961 in Japan. The base of the lighter is made of ceramic and is hand-painted. It depicts a Japanese horse-drawn carriage. Two people are sitting on the carriage - one person on each side - man and woman.

The removable wick lighter insert is chrome-plated and stamped on the side JAPAN and on the bottom:

 PAT. NC. 531887

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good condition: 99 PLN (approx. 87 PLN)

Weight: 120 grams (0.26 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7 cm (2.8")
• width: 5 cm (2")
• length: 12 cm (4.7")

FAQ: KKW / Lumix Camera Lighter Instruction, ca. 1965

Below an instruction for the Lumix Camera Lighter that was manufactured in Japan in the mid. 1960s. The instruction can be also used with the Japanese KKW Camera Lighter (Photo-Liter, butane gas version only!) and AKW DII Type Perfect Camera Lighter.

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")

Bulb, Sterling, ca. 1954

The 'Bulb' table lighter was manufactured in ca. 1954. The base of the lighter is in the shape of a bulb and it is made of glass (not crystal glass) and silver sterling (925). It has a sterling plain rim with raised beading around the inside edge and marked 'STERLING'. The maker of this lighter is unknown though the base was most probably manufactured whether in Japan or in the United States.

The lighter was also sold with a matching ashtray and cigarette urn. The set is very similar from the shape on to the previous described Hy Glo & Frank M. Whiting, glass and sterling, 1931.

The lighter insert is a standard chrome plate insert made in Japan. Marked on the bottom 'JAPAN'.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $20.00–35.00 (approx €15.00–25.00)

Weight: 135 grams (0,3 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 5.4 cm (2.1")
• diameter: 5.8 cm (2.3")

Sarome, Ronson Crown imitation, ca. 1953

This Sarome table lighter is probably the best example of a fine imitation of the Ronson Crown. It has even a better construction than the original. The Sarome wick lighter was manufactured between 1953 and 1954 in Japan.

Sarome Co., Ltd. was founded in March 1940 by Kunijiro Segawa in Tokyo, Japan and it was specializing mainly in manufacturing toys. The first cigarette lighters were manufactured in February 1952. Since 1955 butane gas lighters were added to the company's portfolio. The Sarome company still exist and is well known for its high quality luxury cigarette lighters.

The base of the lighter as well the lighter insert are chrome plate. The lighter insert, in opposite to the Ronson Crown, is removable which makes it more user friendly regarding its maintenance. A very good quality of craftsmanship in terms of quality. Not many of these lighters were made which makes them a very rare find.

It is worth to know that SAROME means 'god of flames'.

The bottom of the base is padded with green felt.

Marked on the bottom of the lighter insert:

SGW. MFG. CO.
SAROME RTM. NO. 29659
SUPER LIGHTER

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: very rare

Value for good–mint condition: $65.00–120.00 (approx €45.00–85.00)

Weight: 210 grams (0,46 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.0 cm (2.36")
• width: 4.5 cm (1.8")
• depth: 7.5 cm (3.0")

M.T.C., Jumping horse Table Lighter, after 1952

This table lighter in a form of a jumping or rearing horse was probably manufactured after 1952 by M.T.C. in Japan. M.T.C. was a 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.

If anyone knows something more about M.T.C. please post a comment.

The Jumping Horse is made of heavy chrome plate but was also available bronze plated. 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: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $40.00–70.00 (approx €30.00–50.00)

Weight: 260 grams (0,57 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 12.5 cm (4.92")
• width: 4.5 cm (1.77")
• depth: 8.5 cm (3.34")

Mayflower, Sterling, 1953

The lighter name is unknown though it was manufactured in relatively small amount in 1953 and 1954 by Mayflower which made silverware similar to the product range offered by Duchin Creations.

The Mayflower lighter is rounded and has a swirl-rimmed pattern. The base of the lighter is made from sterling silver – 925 grade of silver. It is weighted and marked.

The lighter insert is a standard chrome plate insert made in Japan. The same lighter insert was used among others in the Duchin Creations table lighter.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Marked on the underside of the sterling base:
Scarcity: very rare

Value for good – mint condition: $75.00–130.00 (approx €55.00–95.00)

Weight: 140 grams (0,31 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 10.0 cm (3.94")
• width: 4.5 cm (1.77")
• depth: 4.5 cm (1.77")

Duchin Creations, Sterling, 1944

The lighter name is unknown though it was manufactured in relatively small amount in the 1940's by Duchin Creations starting from 1944. Duchin Creations had its headquarters in New York (NY, U.S.A.) and was a popular maker of a large line of sterling hollowware in the 1940's.

There are at least two different types of sterling lighters marketed by Duchin Creations. This one has a swirl-rimmed pattern and was matching many other hollowware items made by Duchin Creations like: candlesticks, pepper and salt shakers, candelabras etc. The base of the lighter is weighted.

The lighter insert is a typical chrome plate insert made in Japan.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the underside:Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good – mint condition: $45.00–85.00 (approx €35.00–60.00)

Weight: 135 grams (0,3 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.5 cm (3.34")
• width: 6.3 cm (2.48")
• depth: 6.3 cm (2.48")