Rowenta & Copeland Spode Table Lighter, 1963

Between 1963 and 1969 Rowenta co-working with the famous English pottery brand – Copeland Spode (England) manufactured a charming table lighter. The base of the lighter was made of ceramic and hand-painted with the Herring Hunt – "The Hunt" pattern. Thus every lighter is different.

Other thing which distinguishes the lighter is the sterling silver (.925) mounting made by Johann Franz Jr. Silberwarenfabrik in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany – marked 925 JF (see below) and weighing approx. 40 grams.

Matching ashtrays, cigarette holders, candle sticks and other tableware were also manufactured and sold by Copeland Spode in the 1960s.

The lighter insert Gas-Snip (model F 4626) was made by Rowenta Metallwarenfabrik GmbH in Offenbach am Main, Germany. It was patented in 1958 and produced on large scale in various finishes between 1959–1970. This particular insert was made of brass and silver plated. It is stamped: 

Rowenta Gas-Snip

GERMANY 

PAT.

The lighter base is round and marked on the bottom:

COPELAND

SPODE

ENGLAND

"OFF TO DRAW"

3

"THE HUNTSMAN"

6

Type: butane (gas) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition:  $90–130.00 USD

Weight: 175 grams (0.38 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.5 cm (3")
• diameter: 6.2 cm (2.4")

La Paglia International Silver Evans Table Lighter, 1953

This rare and finely crafted table lighter was manufactured by International Silver Co. and Evans between 1953 and 1955 in Meriden, Connecticut, USA. The base of the lighter is made of sterling silver and is not weighted. It is round with famous for the Danish design and Alphonse La Paglia modern band of scrolls and flowers decoration.

The design of this piece is reminiscent of work by George Jensen, a renowned Danish silversmith; however, this is not surprising as La Paglia studied under Jensen in the 1930's and, after moving to the US in the 1940's, continued as a designer under Frederick Lunning (Georg Jensen U.S.A.). In 1952, La Paglia established a close relationship with International Silver Company, and moved his studio to Meriden, Connecticut, where he worked until his untimely death in 1953. A. La Paglia worked also for Black Starr and Gorham.

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

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Stamped on the bottom:

INTERNATIONAL
STERLING
La Paglia Designed
160 (sometimes: 139 98 /2)

JACKET STERLING
MECHANISM BRASS

The same lighter case was also manufactured by Georg Jensen Inc. and marked:

GEORG JENSEN INC.
U.S.A.
STERLING 160
LP

The lighter was available in different heights: 2–2.5".

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $120.00–140.00 (€100–120)

Weight: 140 grams (5 oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 5.1 cm (2")
• diameter: 5.1 cm (2")

FAQ: Dunhill Foxhole & Windproof Lighter Instruction, 1942

This instruction comes from a foxhole lighter manufactured by Dunhill in the 1940s in New York, United States. The lighter was available in two versions: sterling silver and silver plated.

Dunhill "Baby Sylph" Cigarette Lighter, 1949

Alfred Dunhill ltd. manufactured between 1948 and 1954 one of the smallest fully working and for sure most exclusive lighters in the world. The so called "Baby Sylph" was marketed in solid silver, silver electroplate or gold plate. The lighter showed below has a reeded decoration. The original is stamped "Dunhill" and "Made in England". It has many reproductions which are cheap imitations made in Japan in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: very rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $400.00–800.00 (approx €300.00–600.00)

Weight: 31 g (1oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 2.2 cm
• length: 1.5 cm
• depth: 1.1 cm

Sterling Candle Snuffer with Allbright Lighter, 1944

This practical and handy combination of candle lighter and extinguisher (candle snuffer) was manufactured in mid 1940s by Guth Stern & Co Inc. in New York, N.Y., U.S.A. The wick lighter is mounted on the end of the long handle and can be covered with a top cup which makes the lighter invisible.

This combo is made of sterling silver (.925) except the removable manual operated lighter which is made of brass and silver-plated. Similar lighter inserts were made by HyGlo Products Co. Owosso, Michigan U.S.A. in the 1930s and 1940s.

Marked on the snuffer cap: STERLING and on the lighter insert:  

ALLBRIGHT 

MADE IN U.S.A.

Guth Stern & Co produced only a few type of lighters and lighter inserts though these were applied by many producers in a very wide range of bases and lighter casings. One of the most complicated lighter mechanism was the Allbright lady compact style pocket lighter manufactured since 1940.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $70–100

Weight: 31 grams (1 oz); lighter insert: 4 grams

Dimensions:

• length: 26.0 cm (10.4")

KW Piezoelectric Table Lighter 1970

This Piezoelectric butane table lighter was first manufactured by the Karl Wieden  Company (KW or KAWEE) in 1970 in Solingen, Germany.

This automatic table lighter was available in different mantels: silver, nickel plated, enameled etc. The picture on the right shows a KW in sterling silver  (.925) mantel  in an interesting hair texture. The base is not weighted. Marked on the side: STERLING 925F.

The KW butane removable lighter insert is piezoelectric and chrome-plated. Marked on the bottom:  

KW KAWEE 

MADE IN GERMANY

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good – mint condition (dependent on finish): $75.00–120.00 (approx €60.00–90.00)

Weight: 242 grams (0.53 pounds)


Dimensions:

• height: 5.3 cm (2.08")
• width: 3.0 cm (1.18")
• length: 9.2 cm (3.62")

KW Capri Table Lighter, 1951

This Capri wick table lighter was first manufactured by Karl Wieden (KW) in 1951 in Germany. The production ceased in the 1957. Later in 1958 it was replaced by the KW Capri gas lighter.

This automatic table lighter was available in different finishes: silver, nickel plated, leather covered, enamelled etc. The picture on the right shows a KW Capri made of German silver (nickel plate) in a silver sterling (.925) mantel. The base is not weighted. Marked on the side: 925 and on the bottom of the base: KW capri.

The removable lighter insert is a standard nickel plate KW Capri – a very efficient and durable mechanism.

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Marked on the underside of the lighter insert: KW KAWEE

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good – mint condition (dependent on finish): $45.00–120.00 (approx €30.00–85.00)

Weight: 183 grams (0.4 pounds)


Dimensions:

• height: 5.3 cm (2.08")
• width: 2.9 cm (1.14")
• length: 7.5 cm (2.95")

Dunhill Sylph Ruler, 1954

The Dunhill Sylph Ruler was manufactured between 1954 and 1961 in England. In 1955 the name of the lighter was changed to 'Sylph Rulerlite'. This lighter is in the shape of a ruler which is marked both with centimeters and inches. It was produced in two finishes: silver plate and solid silver (sterling). In addition a version with a paper cutter at the end was also marketed in the late 1950s.

Marked on the bottom of the base:

SYLPH
dunhill

In the Dunhill catalog from the 1959/1960 the rulerlite was advertised as: A useful, dual-purpose gift, suitable for desk or pocket. Calibrated in inches centimetres.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for good–mint condition (depends on finish): $200.00–550.00 (approx €140.00–370.00)

Weight: 190 grams (0,35 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 1.0 cm (0.4")
• width: 2.0 cm (0.8")
• length: 16.0 cm (6.3")

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!