Negbaur Cannon Table Lighter, 1940

This figural wick lighter was manufactured by Negbaur between 1940 and 1949 in Allbright, New York in the United States. It is made of die cast metal in a dark cooper antique (uncommon) or chrome plate finish (rare). The two carriage wheels spin on their axle and the carriage elevates up and down.

It presents a reproduction of a 75mm field canon gun. This quick-firing artillery piece is simply called "Canon de 75 modèle 1897". It was in service in several countries since 1898 and used during both World Wars among others by France, United States, Poland, Belgium, Germany and United Kingdom.

The semi-automatic wick lighter is removable from the canon base. In order to lit the lighter one need to press the button in the back of the cannon barrel. The top opens and the wick burns.

Negbaur was well known for their other solid built figural lighters, like planes, knights, golf bags, chess figures or planes made in the earlier years (1930s and 1940s). The Canon Lighter is very collectible as it is well build and designed. As many of them were manufactured it is not a problem to find one in excellent condition. This flint cigarette lighter was also manufactured for Demley with a small alteration – an added metal base for example.

Marked on the bottom of the base:

Negbaur
Made in U.S.A.
Pat. Pending

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $75.00–125.00 (approx €50.00–90.00)

Weight: 453 grams (15 7/8 oz)

Dimensions:

• length: 21 cm (8.3")
• width: 7.6 cm (3")
• height: 8 cm (3.1")

KEM Bowling Pin Lighter, 1946

The Bowling Pin Lighter was manufactured in the 1940s in Detroit, Michigan in the United States by Kem Inc. Beside these lighters KEM was famous for manufacturing advertising lighters in shape of bullets, bottles and cans made both of metal and plastic.

This figural lighter was made of ivory/cream colored plastic and advertised as "air tight, leak proof, small and compact". It was sold between 1946 and 1949 for only 39 cents or given away as advertisers by hundreds of companies which decided to include this lighter in their marketing strategy. A similar lighter bowling pin only with two red stripes was also made by Atlas Bowling in Japan.

The lighter is marked on the bottom:

KEM (INC.)

DETROIT, MICH.

PAT. PEND.

The two halves of the plastic bowling pin casing pull apart to show the simple wick and wheel type lighter made of brass. It is not marked.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $15–25 (approx. €10–15)

Weight: 19 grams (0.6 oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.2 cm (2.8")
• diameter: 2 cm (0.8")

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.

K.K.W. Camera Lighter, 1948

The K.K.W. Camera Lighter was first manufactured in 1948 in Occupied Japan. Primely it was available as a wick lighter - in 1958 the butane version of the lighter was introduced (see picture) and manufactured till the end of the 1960s. The camera lighter was available with a compass on front and without which was a cheaper version. 

It is for sure one of the best examples of Japanese craftsmanship. It is very well detailed and the materials used are good quality. The shutter button works the lighter and it can be locked by using the red button on the front which is marked open - lock. Spare flints can be kept under the large nurled knob on top.

The camera lighter is in the shape of a camera and was designed for both table and pocket as the tripod and cable release can be easily unscrewed. The body was made of metal with black crackle finish and polished metal trim. It was only available as a set: lighter, cable release and camera lighter.

Marked on the bottom of the camera lighter:

K.K.W
P.P 
13449 

On the earlier wick lighter version the camera and the tripod were marked:

Made in Occupied Japan

The plastic cover was marked: Peace-Gas (gas lighter) or Photo-Flash (wick lighter)

Type: gas (butane) lighter & wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: common–uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition (set): $40.00–75.00 (approx €30.00–55.00)

Weight: 75 grams (0.17 lbs), set: 97 grams (0.21 lbs)

Dimensions:

Cigarette Lighter:

• height: 4.1 cm (1.6")
• width: 6.7 cm (2.6")
• depth: 1.8 cm (0.7")

Lighter including tripod and cable release:

• height: 2.0 cm (0.8")
• width: 8.9 cm (3.5")
• depth: 7 cm (2.8")

M.T.C. Chromium Swan, 1960

This table lighter in a distinguished form of a young swan was manufactured in the beginning of the 1960s by M.T.C. in Japan. M.T.C. was a quite successful 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.

The Swan is made of heavy chrome plate and 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: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $20.00–40.00 (approx €15.00–25.00)

Weight: 205 grams (0,57 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.5 cm (3")
• width: 3.9 cm (1.5")
• length: 8.5 cm (3.5")

Dunhill Sabre Jet Fighter, 1954

The Dunhill 'Jet Plane' Lighter is depicting the famous North American Aviation F-86 Sabre a transonic jet fighter aircraft. The  Sabrejet set its first official world speed record of 570 mph (920 km/h) in September 1948. Six years later in 1954 in England this heavy Dunhill figural lighter was manufactured. The production ceased in 1961.

The table lighter was available in polished chrome and also black lacquered.  It ignites automatically when the button in the engine intake at the front is pushed – then the canopy opens and exposes the flame. Very efficient and solid mechanism – works at every single try. The base is padded with green felt. Below a drawing of the Sabre F-86.

The Dunhill Sabre Jet is also known under other names like: Dunhill Jet Plane Lighter or Dunhill Airplane (Aeroplane) Table Lighter or just Dunhill Jet Fighter.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Marked on the underside of the base:

dunhill

REG. DES. APPL. NO. 872899
MADE IN ENGLAND

Scarcity: rare

Value for good–mint condition: $240.00–450.00 (approx €115.00–350.00)

Weight: 580 grams (1,28 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.3 cm (3.3")
• width: 14.9 cm (5.9")
• length: 16.1 cm (6.3")