Evans Vestal Lamp Table Lighter, 1950

The production of this fully automatic table lighter started in 1950 and finished in 1954 in the United States. The "Vestal Lamp" made by Evans has a chased design and was available in silver plate and silver sterling  (model no. 84J77).

This wick lighter has very often minor abrasions on the plated surface even if it is boxed and new (old stock). The lighter is padded with green felt.

Marked on the bottom (on screws):

U.S. PAT.

RE.19023

EVANS

PAT. PEND.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for good–mint condition: $30–50 (silver plate), $150–200 (sterling silver)

Weight: 120 grams (4 1/4 oz.)

Dimensions:

•     height: 7.7 cm (3.0")
•     length: 9.5 cm (3.7")
•     width: 3.9 cm (1.6")

eBay: $20,000 for a vintage Dunhill enamel set?

This item is on my eBay watch list since the beginning of the year 2013. It is a masterpiece without doubt. I am referring to a 'fixed price' auction with a 1930s Dunhill Set consisting of the "Unique" wick lighter and cigarette case.

Both items are unusual, made of 0.935 silver and beautifully enameled. The hand-painted enameling workmanship depicts a lovely detailed scene. The price tag? A heavy $20,000 (about €15,000)! The set is in very good condition and it comes in its original box.

Since it was listed it had already 13 price offers and currently 39 watchers including me. Happy hunting!

Collecting Cigarette Lighter Charms and Charm Bracelets

Collecting charms is a field that a lighter collector may find intriguing and appealing. A charm is a small, especially gold or silver, object worn on a chain or bracelet as jewelry. Most charms are about the size of a dime which makes them very difficult to craft, especially the once with moving parts.

These tiny treasures have a rich history going back to antique civilizations like Phoenicians, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. The modern “golden age” of charm jewelry was between 1930 and the early 1970s. A great variety of objects are replicated in charms – animals, furniture, kitchenware, automobiles, buildings, sports, technology and many others.

In general vintage gold and silver charms are available at different price levels. Simple charms are found in number jeweler stores and catalogs for as little as ten dollars. More elaborate made of gold, platinum, diamonds and rubies range from hundreds to thousands dollars and can be found for instance on eBay and at auction houses.

Charms that main theme is smoking accessories are relatively uncommon. The biggest collection on cigarette lighters charms I know counts 50+ different lighter shapes, mostly pocket lighters. Most of them was made in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and today (grand reappearance) mainly in the UK and USA. They are made of gold (mainly 9K, 10K, 14K, 18K and gold filled) and sterling silver. The identification marks if present are very small.

Part of a nice collection of lighter charms can be found in The Handbook of Vintage Cigarette Lighters written by Stuart Schneider and Ira Pilossof. The authors show also other jewelery like cuff-links, earrings or stickpins in shape of lighters.

The Handbook of Vintage Cigarette Lighters shows nice examples of charms in the shape of lighters.

More on collecting charms can be found in these lovely books:

• "Charms and Charm Bracelets" by Joanne Schwartz
• "My Mother's Charms" by Kathleen Oldford

PS. Charms might be a great gift for your beloved one and a memory trigger!

ELDRO TANK [Drollinger] Silver Table Lighter, 1939

The ELDRO TANK wick table lighter was manufactured for a long period between 1939 and 1951 by Herman Else Drollinger Silber- und Metallwarenfabrik in Pforzheim, Germany. The company itself was active since 1925 till ca. 1978 and manufactured mainly metal- and silverware. Else Drollinger produced table and pocket lighters beyond its own ELDRO brand and also "Astro" for ZVG, "KW" for Karl Wieden and for other important German lighter manufacturers like Mylflam and Rowenta (mainly silver mantels).

This semi-automatic table lighter was available in different mantels made of solid silver (.835). The lighter base as well the lighter insert were made of brass and silver-plated. The bottom of the lighter base is padded with green felt.

Marked on the inside of the insert: 

ELDRO TANK
Pat. GMa

In 1951 the patent 815 272 was issued by the German Patent Office (Deutsches Patentamt). See below:

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good – mint condition (dependent on finish): $100.00–160.00 (approx €70.00–110.00)

Weight: 190 grams (0.42 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.2 cm (2.8")
• width: 3.5 cm (1.38")
• length: 6.6 cm (2.6")

Mylflam 1000 Zünder Diplomat Table Lighter, 1955

The 1000 Zünder Diplomat Table Lighter (model 590) was first  manufactured in 1955 in Frankfurt, Germany by the famous German company Mylflam. This automatic petrol lighter was  marketed in many different finishes like: silver/nickel plate, brass, various types of leather, (delivered by  Richard Maltner) etc. It was also commonly used for advertising purposes.

On the right we have an used example of the1000 Zünder Diplomat. It is made of brass and then nickel plated. For decoration purposes the base is manteled with silver (.835 purity) which is hammered and marked. See the Mylflam magazine advertisement below (source).

The wick lighter was generally made of brass. Marked on the underside of the base:

1000 Zünder
DIPLOMAT

The patented mechanism gave the owner the possibility to hand it over without extinguishing the flame.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon–rare (depending on type of the finish/advertising)

Value for very good–mint condition: $40.00–150.00 (approx €30.00–110.00)

Weight: 160 grams (0.35 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.2 cm (3.19")
• width: 2.7 cm (1.06")
• length: 8.1 cm (3.7")

Colibri Monogas & Ganci Argenterie, ca. 1960s

This interesting modern table lighter hidden in a solid silver "sugar bowl" was made sometime between 1960 and 1968 by two companies:

• Colibri – famous English lighter manufacturer. The company was established by Julius Löwenthal  in 1928. Colibri delivered the lighter insert which was produced in France and W. Germany;
• Ganci Argenterie S.R.L. – Italian Silversmith, the company was founded in 1920 in Milan [VIA ALTAGUARDIA 11 - MILANO (MI) - 20135] and is still in business. This company made the lighter base.

The nicely decorated lighter base is made of silver in .800 silver purity. It assembles  a Victorian sugar bowl which opens to reveal a concealed gold plated Colibri Monogas lighter insert marked on the bottom:  CIF2. The lighter base is marked on the bottom:

110 MI
800

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $160.00–200.00 (approx €120.00–150.00)

Weight: 272 grams (0.59 pounds), 138 grams without the lighter insert

Dimensions:

• height: 11 cm (4.3")
• width: 11 cm (4.3")
• depth: 8 cm (3.2")

ALBO & KW Classic Table Lighter, 1953

This table lighter was made by Albert Bodemer Silberwarenfabrik GmbH (known as ALBO or AB) in cooperation with KW between 1953 and 1959 in Germany.

The Albert Bodemer Silberwarenfabrik GmbH was a typical hollowware manufacturer established in the 1940's in Keltern-Ellmendingen, Germany. It is still active today and run by the daughter of Albert Bodemer who invented all the patterns and forms. The lighter inserts were provided by several German lighter manufacturers, like KW or Augusta Zünder – today only the BIC company is their supplier (butane lighters).

The rounded openwork has a floral design accompanied by two angels and a field for a monogram in the middle. The openwork was made of silver in different purities: 800, 835 and 925 grade of silver. Marked on the side: ALBO. Marked on the bottom of the base: KW Classic.

The lighter insert was provided by KW (Karl Wieden) a known German lighter manufacturer who produced lighter since 1905 till 1980 in Solingen Ohligs, Germany. It is made of brass and is nickel plated. The lighter insert model is KW Classic and it is based on the Theodor Ruetz system patent.

The picture above presents a petrol (wick) lighter. A butane gas lighter in the same shape was introduced in the early 1960s.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $70.00–110.00 (approx €50.00–80.00)

Weight: 178 grams (0.39 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.2 cm (2.4")
• length: 7.3 cm (2.9")
• width:  3.2 cm (1.3")

Advert: Evans Famous Magic Lamp Table Lighter, 1949

This vintage magazine ad depicts "The Magnificent" Evans automatic lighter – the Famous Magic Lamp model – advertised as: Perfect gift, proud possession - an Evans fully automatic table lighter can be personalized with engraving. The advert was published on the 18^th July 1949 in the Life magazine.

Hy Glo & Frank M. Whiting, Crown, ca. 1932

The Hy Glo & Frank M. Whiting lighter was made in the early 1930s. Hy Glo Products Co. Owosso, Michigan U.S.A. provided only the small sterling wick lighter insert marked: Hy Glo MADE IN U.S.A. Hy Glo went out of the lighter business in 1949 due to a fire that destroyed the whole factory complex.

The lighter was sold alone - without a matching ashtray or cigarette urn like the older brother. The lighter is made of glass and silver sterling (925). The lighter has a relatively heavy removable cap (top cover) made from an alloy and silver-plated

Worth to know is that the Frank M. Whiting was founded in 1878 in North Attleboro, Massachusetts by the son of William Whiting, the founder of the Whiting Manufacturing. In 1895, the company was converted to a stock company under the name F. M. WHITING & Co. In 1896, the firm's name was changed to FRANK. M. WHITING & Co. In 1897 the company was incorporated and later in the 1924 was purchased by the Elmore Silver Company of Meriden, CT. Their line included sterling silver flatware, hollowware, novelties, souvenir spoons, etc. The brand was on the market till 1940.

Marked on the silver:

FRANK M. WHITING & CO.
STERLING

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

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

Weight: 162 grams (0.36)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.2 cm (2.4")
• diameter: 5.8 cm (2.3")

T. Kullander & Evans Table Lighter, 1954

This extremely rare table lighter was manufactured by KULLANDER SILVERSMEDEN TORE in 1954 in BORĹS, Sweden. The company prospered from 1938 to 1976. It manufactured sterling and silver-plated flatware and hollowware mainly for the Swedish market.The base of the lighter is made of silver – probably 830 grade of silver. It is weighted and marked. The lighter has a round base and feels very robust.

The lighter insert was provided by Evans (USA). It is made of brass and is silver electroplated.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Marked on the bottom:

Scarcity: extremely rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $250.00–400.00 (€175–280)

Weight: 260 grams (0,57 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 9.3 cm (3.66")
• diameter: 6.3 cm (2.5")

Tiffany & Co Witchball, 1956

The Witchball table lighter was made by Tiffany & Co. between 1956 and 1958 in London, England. This figural wick lighter presents a witch ball which have been very popular since the 18th century in England. Witch balls appeared later in the 19th century in other European countries as well as in America. The function of witch balls was to ward off evil spirits, witch's spells or ill fortune.

Witch balls integrated with lighters were quite popular in the 1950s. Very alike to the Tiffany's lighter is the Witchball manufactured by Richard Comyns (silverware, active since 1920 in London) in cooperation with the British lighter manufacturer - Rolstar.

The unweighted round base of the Witchball lighter is made of sterling - 925 grade of silver. It is also marked on the bottom:

T&Co

(silver hallmarks)

Witchball
Tiffany & Co
ENGLAND
STERLING

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $100.00–150.00 (approx €70.00–100.00)

Weight: approx. 250 grams (0.56 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.6 cm (3.00")
• diameter: 6.9 cm (2.75")

This post was published owing to Charlotte. Thank you!

Ronson Jubilee Set, 1954

The Ronson Jubilee Set was manufactured only in 1954 in the industrial works in Newark (N.J., United States). The set consists of a lighter and a matching cigarette holder. Both are made of sterling silver and have weighted bases.

The lighter has a removable Ronson Essex fitment. It is silver-plated.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Both, the lighter and the cigarette urn are marked on the bottom:

STERLING

(R)
RONSON
JUBILEEWEIGHTED

The lighter is additionaly marked with:

NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A.

U.S. PAT.

PEND.

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition (set): $160.00–250.00 (€110–175)

Weight:

• lighter – 245 grams (0,54 pounds)
• cigarette holder – 58 grams (0,13 pounds)

Dimensions:

1. Lighter

• height: 9.7 cm (3.8")
• diameter: 5.9 cm (2.3")

2. Cigarette holder

• height: 7.3 cm (2.9")
• diameter: 5.9 cm (2.3")

KW Capri H, 1958

This Capri table lighter was first manufactured by Karl Wieden (KW) in 1958 in Germany. The production ceased in the early 1960s. It was one of the first gas (butane) lighters made by KW. It had a very simplistic angular design.

This automatic table lighter was available in different finishes: silver, nickel plated etc. The picture on the right shows a KW Capri in a rectangle openwork base in floral design. On both sides a monogram shield was present (see picture). The base of the lighter was made of 800 grade of silver. The base is not weighted. Marked on the side: 800 H.

The removable lighter insert is a standard nickel plate KW Capri.

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Marked on the underside of the lighter insert: KW KAWEE
Scarcity: rare

Value for good – mint condition (dependent on finish): $75.00–300.00 (approx €55.00–220.00)

Weight: 280 grams (0,31 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.0 cm (2.36")
• width: 3.3 cm (1.3")
• length: 7.7 cm (3.03")

BeBe 100, 1947

This beautiful and massive semi-automatic table lighter with 'on' and 'off' buttons (look pictures below) was manufactured by Bruchhaus & Baltrusch (BeBe) between 1947 and 1951 in Germany. It is made of brass and is nickel plated.

The bas-relief is made of silver and marked on the side with German hallmarks and the silver purity mark 800. The sleeve is depicting a scene of a wedding party. This table lighter remains some of the Mylflam models with silver sleeves depicting among others tavern or fest scenes.

The BeBe 100 was also seen in other finishes: fully nickeled and enameled.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Marked on the lighter insert (base):

BeBe 100
GERMANY
D.R.PATENT

Scarcity: rare

Value for good–mint condition: $90.00–180.00 (approx €65.00–130.00)

Weight: 360 grams (0,79 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.0 cm (3.1")
• length: 10.6 cm (4,2")
• width: 4.0 cm (1,6")

Ronson Varaflame Victoria, 1964

The Ronson Varaflame Victoria was manufactured in W. Germany in 1964. It is the only Ronson table lighter made of solid silver (800) next to the Jubilee Set (925, sterling).

The removable lighter insert – the Varaflame – is partly chromium-plated and silver-plated. It has a fingertip flame control finished with a blue Swarovski crystal. Marked on the underside: Ronson (R) MADE IN W. GERMANY PATENTED.

The base of the lighter is weighted and marked on the underside of the base on green felt:

Ronson (R)
SOLID SILVER
VICTORIA

Type: butane (gas) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $120.00–150.00 (approx €90.00–110.00)

Weight: 210 grams (0,46 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 9.6 cm (3.78")
• diameter: 7.2 cm (2.8")

ALBO & Augusta Zünder, Mini, 1956

This table lighter was made by Albert Bodemer Silberwarenfabrik GmbH (known as ALBO or AB) in cooperation with Augusta Zünder between 1956 and 1962 in Germany.

The Albert Bodemer Silberwarenfabrik GmbH was a typical hollowware manufacturer established in the 1940's in Keltern-Ellmendingen, Germany. It is still active today and run by the daughter of Albert Bodemer who invented all the patterns and forms. The lighter inserts were provided by several German lighter manufacturers, like KW or Augusta Zünder - today only the BIC company is their supplier (butane lighters).

The rounded openwork base stands on three decorative legs. The silver basket has a floral design accompanied by two angels and a field for a monogram in the middle. The base of the lighter was made of silver in different purities: 800, 835 and 925 grade of silver. The base is not weighted. Marked on the side: ALBO.

The lighter insert was provided by Augusta Zünder, a known German supplier. It is made of brass and is silver-plated. The picture above presents a petrol (wick) lighter. A butane gas lighter in the same shape was introduced in the early 1960s.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $50.00–90.00 (approx €35.00–65.00)

Weight: 70 grams (0,15 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 5.7 cm (2.24")
• diameter: 4.5 cm (1.77")

Rowenta Bridge, 1954

The Rowenta Bridge (catalog model: F4515 17/2, see picture) was manufactured in 1954 in Offenbach am Main, Germany. The production ceased short after that in 1957. The Rowenta Bridge was a very successful model manufactured in more than 30 different finishes, like: sterling silver, chromium plate, morocco leather and even nacre finish (mother of pearl).

This wick lighter was generally made of brass and it had two various shapes of the base: oval or of a irregular octagon. Marked on the underside of the base:

Rowenta Bridge
Germany
Pat.pend.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon–very rare (depending on type of the finish)

Value for good–mint condition: $50.00–250.00 (approx €35.00–230.00)

Weight: 140 grams (0,31 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 5.8 cm (2.28")
• width: 2.8 cm (1.1")
• length: 6.5 cm (2.56")

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")

Fisher & Evans,1954

This table lighter is fine example of Art Deco style and was manufactured by Fisher Silversmith Inc. in 1954 in Jersey City (New Jersey, United States). The company prospered from 1936 to the 1970s. It manufactured sterling and silver-plated flatware and hollowware, mainly in modern design like Art Deco.
The base of the lighter is made of sterling silver – 925 grade of silver. It is weighted and marked. The lighter is prism-shaped and has a irregular hexahedron base.

The lighter insert was provided by Evans (USA). It is made of brass and is silver electroplate. The release is shell-shaped (conchiform).

Type: petrol (wick) lighter
Marked on the bottom:

FISHER

STERLING WEIGHTED

2548

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $90.00–160.00 (€65–115)

Weight: 285 grams (0,63 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.3 cm (3.27")
• width: 6.6 cm (2.6")
• depth: 5.0 cm (1.97")

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")