Gebrüder Köllisch, Druco Lighter, 1948

The Druco table lighter was first manufactured in 1948 in Nürnberg, Germany by Gebrüder Köllisch. The body of this petrol lighter is made of brass. This semi-automatic lighter has a nice sun ray design etched in the black paint. Other designs are known.

The lighter is not marked. The bottom part of it can be used as an additional tank for petrol.

Type: semi-automatic wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon-rare

Value for very good condition: ~$60.00 (approx €50.00)

Weight: 165 grams

Dimensions:

• height: 7.6 cm
• length: 7.7 cm
• width: 3.6 cm

Karl Wieden KW 650/G Table Lighter, 1932

The KW type 650/G was first manufactured by Karl Wieden (KW) in 1932 in Germany. It was a very successful and robust semi-automatic table lighter produced in various finishes till the early 1950s.

The photos present an example of the KW 650/G made in brass with green artificial oxide. Except this sailing ship, also a version with dragons and elephants is known. Horses were used in a similar design combined with the later KW Capri version. Usually marked KW on the bottom. Other markings are possible (but rare). 

The removable lighter insert is a standard brass KW in normal size. There were also available smaller units in the size 3/4 and 1/2 of the normal KW (see dimensions). The lighter model was patented in Germany in 1936 although the design was introduced into the market in 1952.

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Marked on the underside of the lighter base:

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for good – mint condition (dependent on finish): $60.00–120.00 (approx €50.00–100.00)

Weight: 260 grams (0.57 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.2 cm (2.83")
• width: 8.4 cm (3.3")
• length: 2.8 cm (1.1")

Thorens Portor "Lady" Desk Lighter, 1928

The Thorens Portor "Lady" Table/Desk Lighter was manufactured in Switzerland in 1928/1929. The wick lighter insert is a Thorens semi-automatic 'single claw' model that was manufactured between 1918 and 1935. It is made of brass and gold plated; stamped: 

GOLD PLATED  

MADE OF SWITZERLAND 

 B L

and G T on the top lid

The discreet "BL" (fr. Briquet de Luxe, eng. luxury lighter) indicates that the lighter was intended to be sold in France as it is a French tax mark. The mark was introduced in 1926 and applied only on luxury lighters like Quercia, Lancel and Thorens.  

The column shaped base of the lighter and the Art Deco nude lady are made of brass. Both have an antique finish applied on. No monogram shields present and no marks on the bottom of the base. More info about the lighter and the GT stamp are welcome!

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: very rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $450–650.00 (approx. €400–550.00)

Weight: 195 grams (0.43 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.9 cm (3.5")
• diameter: 5.6 cm (2.2")

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")

Swiza Alarm Clock Table Lighter, 1959

This Swiza Alarm Clock Table Lighter combination was manufactured mainly for the British market in between 1959 and 1961. It is a very collectible lighter and rare to find in this version. It is equipped with a 30-Hour Desk Lighter Alarm made by Swiza which was founded in 1904 by Louis Schwab in Switzerland. Today Swiza SA is the biggest Swiss table and alarm clock manufacturer.

The clock's face has gilt figures, hours indicators with cream and gold/luminous hands, and a gold alarm hand. The case of the clock is made of brass, partly brushed and partly gold color plated. The base is almost identical to the Phinney-Walker 'Smoke-Time'.

The lighter unit was provided by an English company. It is made of metal and is gold color plated. The rounded base is padded with blue felt.

A Swiza Coquet 4 jewels is also known with an Evans lighter insert. 

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $150.00–200.00 (approx €110.00–155.00)

Weight: 450 grams (1 pound)

Dimensions:

• height: 13.0 cm (5.2")
• width: 8.0 cm (3.15")
• depth: 6.0 cm (2.36")

Dunhill Aladdin's Lamp Table Lighter, 1938

The Dunhill Aladdin's Lamp Table Lighter also known as the Roman Lamp (first edition) or Genie Lamp was manufactured only for a short period of time between 1938 and 1939 in England which makes it very rare. It is made of an unknown white metal painted with a gold tone paint. Some parts, for example the top as well the wand are made of brass.

The lighter has a very precise trigger activated mechanism – it is operated by pressing down on the wand which actuates the opening of the lid and firing the spark wheel to light the wick in the front – at the same time the wick end of the wand engages the cotton wool in the reservoir – you can either pick up the lamp for a light, or you can withdraw the wand, light it from the front wick and use the wand to light your smoke.

The second incarnation of the Dunhill Roman Table Lighter from the 1952 was described in an earlier post. 

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Marked on the underside:

DUNHILL
LONDON

REGD. DESIGN 817955
PAT. APPD. FOR
MADE IN ENGLAND

Scarcity: very rare

Value for good–mint condition: $300.00–600.00 (approx €200.00–400.00)

Weight: 335 grams (11 ³/₄ oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 9.5 cm (3.9")
• length: 15.0 cm (5.9")
• depth: 10.0 cm (4.0")

Capitol Lighter, Steele & Johnson of Waterbury, 1927

The Capitol Lighter was manufactured between 1927 and 1931 by Steele and Johnson in Waterbury (Connecticut) in the United States of America. The company was founded in Waterbury in 1851 and manufactured brass and other metal goods. The firm opened a New York shop in 1865 and ceased operation in 1933.

This unusual brass/bronze table lighter features a mechanical snap up levered mechanism. The mechanism as well the design of the lighter were invented and patented on the 10th of March 1925 (patent no. AT99438) by Josef Kluss of Vienna in Austria. The fact that Steele & Johnson Mfg. Co. used the patent filled by George S. Eldred on 17th September 1912 in the USA (patent no. US1038735) is unfounded as it features a absolutely different mechanism (semi-automatic).

This automatic petrol lighter is one of the most desired lighters by collectors because of the fairly complicated and interesting mechanism. The Capitol Lighter was manufactured in many different configurations (lighter with ashtray – both table and floor, lighter with a tray and cigarette holder etc.). Also the choice of finishes was quite impressive: plain brass, bronze, nickel plate and painted in three basic colors: red, green and yellow which was the most common one).

There are two main version of the Capitol Lighter. The earlier one manufactured between 1927–1928 is a direct copy of the Josef Kluss design in which the thumb lever of the lighter is straight and marked PATENT APL FOR. The second version (see pictures) has a curved thumb lever and was marked PATENTED SEPT. 17, '12. For filling the lighter mechanism is removed from the top of the bottle. On the earlier version of the Capitol lighter a circle label on the bottom says:

Matchless Utilities Co.
690 8. Ave. New York
Classic Gas & Cigar Lighters
Telephone Lackwanna 8855

and the younger version:

Steele & Johnson Mfg. Co. Waterbury Conn.

New York Office 290 Madison Ave.

The lighter was also manufactured for Gerlach Barklow Co. which was one of the largest calendar and advertising companies in America. It was marked "G.B. Co. Joliet ILL." rather then "Capitol Lighter".

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon to very rare (depends on version)

Value for good–mint condition: $100.00–400.00 (approx €75.00–300.00)

Weight of the lighter alone: 90 grams (0.2 pound)

Dimensions:

• height: 11.3 cm (4.4")
• width: 7.3 cm (2.9")
• depth: 2.8 cm (1.1")

Anglia Table Lighter, ca. 1947

The Anglia table lighter was made in England between ca. 1947 and 1950 by a small British company Stewart Engineering which manufactured only a few lighter models.

It is a very interesting semi-automatic wick lighter that can be considered as an attempt to make a lighter looking alike these manufactured in the early years of the XX century. The action works by pressing the lever on the left side - see picture - which releases the cap, as this springs up it strikes the flint producing a spark.

This lighter was available in chrome plate and polished brass (more uncommon). It was also sold with a rubber tire in different colors round the base. The tire was marked ANGLIA MADE IN ENGLAND.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Marked on the bottom of the metal base:

 ANGLIA

MADE IN ENGLAND

or

ANGLIA
BRITISH MADE
A5 / 1531

or

LIC NO
A5 / 1531

Scarcity: uncommon; Anglia with tire - rare

Value for good–mint condition: 91 zł ($30.00)–60.00 (approx 82 zł (€20.00)–40.00)

Weight: 155 grams (0.34 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 10.5 cm (4.1")
• diameter: 3.7 cm (1.5")

A.S.R. Heritage Set, 1949

The "Heritage" Set was manufactured between 1949 and 1953 by the American Safety Razor Co in the United States (Brooklyn, New York). The set consists of a lighter, cigarette holder and a tray. It was available in gleaming copper and rhodium finish or solid brass. A very original set due to its unusual design and the black bakelite handles.

The lighter as well the cigarette urn are standing on three legs which are padded with green felt. They are marked on the bottom:

ASR (R)
MADE IN
U.S.A.

The lighter insert has an automatic 'Light-Switch Action' and stays lit without holding. It is marked:

A.S.R. CORP.
315 JAY ST.
BROOKLYN, N.Y.
PATENT D-146973
-
PAT. RE. 23,207
MADE IN U.S.A.

The tray is unmarked. It is relatively light and engraved with different flourish patterns.

One of the advertisement published in the Times in 1950 says about this set: "Decorators say it's the last word in table touches for living room, library or den! This magnificent A.S.R. 'Heritage' Table Lighter is at home in any setting, traditional or modern. And what a wonderfully different lighter it is! No other like it. Only the 'Heritage' has a handle! You can actually serve a light!"

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for good–mint condition (set): $85.00–150.00 (approx €60.00–110.00)

Weight: tray – 132 grams (0,29 pounds), cigarette urn – 152 grams (0,34 pounds), lighter – 170 grams (0,37 pounds)

Dimensions:

1. Lighter

• height: 7.2 cm (2.8")
• width: 12.5 cm (4.9")
• depth: 5.5 cm (2.17")

2. Tray

• height: 1.2 cm (0.47")
• width: 23.5 cm (9.25")
• depth: 17.0 cm (6.7")

3. Cigarette holder

• height: 5.5 cm (2.17")
• width: 12.5 cm (4.9")
• depth: 5.5 cm (2.17")

Phinney-Walker & Evans, Alarm Clock Lighter, 1956

The combination and design of Phinney-Walker alarm clock and Evans cigarette lighter is a very fine example of the Art Deco style. This Alarm Clock Lighter was marketed in the United States in 1956–1960. Very collectible – many cigarette lighters collectors' guides have it on its pages. Its actual catalog name is Smoke-Time and 30-Hour Desk Lighter Alarm (model no. PW44E1400). The catalog retail price from 1959 was $ 22.50.

The Phinney-Walker Co. was founded in New York in ca. 1903. In the 1910s and 1920s they designed and manufactured automobile clocks. The most popular Rim-Wind Car Clock called "Embassy" was manufactured in 1925 and was an eight day clock that was wound and set by rotating the outer rim (source). It was mounted among others in the 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II. The earlier version of the Phinney-Walker, also an eight day clock, was mounted in Ford Model-T.

Starting from the 1930s the company became less a producer and more a marketing company. It was active till 1970s. The production was outsourced to many different companies placed in Germany (Semca), United States (mainly in Connecticut), Japan and Switzerland. Phinney Walker Co. was also very popular for marketing travel alarm clocks in the 1950s.

The alarm clock is Swiss made and has a 30-hour mechanical movement. The clock's face has gilt figures, hours indicators with cream and gold/luminous hands, and a gold alarm hand. The case of the clock is made of brass, partly brushed and partly gold color plated.

The lighter unit was provided by Evans (USA). It is made of metal and gold color plated. The rounded base is padded with blue felt. The Alarm Clock Lighter was advertised as: "Sure-Fire" appeal... that'll "light-up" the charm of the genial host or hostess. It's priceless for office or home.

The same clock and lighter base was used by SWIZA (founded in 1904) an 8 Jewel Alarm Clock Lighter. The lighter insert however was not made by Evans but by one of the English suppliers. See here.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $140.00–200.00 (approx €100.00–145.00)

Weight: 450 grams (1 pound)

Dimensions:

• height: 13.0 cm (5.2")
• width: 8.0 cm (3.15")
• depth: 6.0 cm (2.36")

Below is a fragment of the A.H. Ficken Co. Wholesale Catalog from 1958.