Excise duties on French lighters, 1910–1945

On 10th December 1910 the French state adopted new tax regulations on "all devices indented to produce spark or fire by friction, or by any other means, and of the combustion of a flammable substance". Since 1st January 1911 every lighter in France that was intended for sale in the French market had to be taxed and adequately marked (see pictures).

To confirm that the excise duty was paid to the Ministry of Finance a special duty metal plate (stamp) was attached (usually welded) to the lighter by the lighter manufacturers. The fees charged by the French state were high but the tax rates levied by the state were varying depending on the type and finish of the lighter. Following tax rates were used:

• 2 French francs for common pocket lighters,
• 5 Fr for pocket lighters made of silver,
• 20 Fr for luxury pocket lighters (e.g. made of gold),
• 5 Fr for common table/desk lighters (over 10 cm),
• 10 Fr for table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of silver,
• 50 Fr for luxury table/desk lighters (over 10 cm) made of gold or platinum.

Between 1911 and 1916 a simple cooper plate was used which had the date 1911 engraved. Later, between 1916 and 1945 a new plate (undated) was introduced with the letters "C" and "I" (stands for indirect taxes) and a profile of Mercury (patron god of financial gain, commerce and messengers) with an inscription "Ministère des Finances" (eng. Ministry of Finance). Two shapes were used for the plate – oval for table lighters, the other one for pocket lighters. Additional to the two duty plates a marking "BL" (Briquet de Luxe, eng. luxury lighter) was introduced in 1926. It was a small hallmark which was considered as more discreet and applied only on luxury lighters like Quercia or Lancel.  

It is worth to mention that France was not the sole country where lighters were taxed and marked with special plates. A similar law was constituted in Belgium and Spain although it was applied for a short time. The taxation of lighters in France was abolished in 1945.

Evans 'Hitching Post' Table Lighter, 1956

This fine bone China Porcelain Evans 'Hitching Post' table lighter was designed and manufactured by Evans in the U.S.A. between 1956 and 1961. During the years of manufacture two different versions were produced with small changes to the bottom of the lighter base.

The lighter was marketed as a gift set for a gentleman. The 3-piece set consisted of a lighter and matching urn and ashtray (no. EC310W1029 or EC-123). The lighter was also available separately (EC311W735 or EC-124) in white or black China.

The Evans gold-tone brass insert uses a wick lighter with a red seal which is a patented fuel control.

The base of the lighter in shape of a horse which is often seen  on decorative hitching posts (it is a post to which a horse may be tethered to prevent it from straying). The China base is marked  with the Evans logo.

The entire body of this lighter is a very big fuel reservoir.

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $60.00–90.00 (approx. €40.00–60.00); set: $90.00–120.00

Weight:

• 340 grams (12 oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 18 cm (7")
• diameter: 7.6 cm (3")
  

FAQ: Where to sell my lighter?

One of the most frequent subjects that arise in e-mails from my readers concerns selling and purchasing lighters. Let us start with pointing out the best places for lighter sellers. As with everything we want to sell we have to find the appropriate audience and attention. Here is the ranking of the best places you should start with:

1. On-line auction platforms.
1. International: ebay.com, delcampe.net (great for lighter pins and lighter magazine advertisements)
2. Local/regional: ebay.au, ebay.co.uk, ebay.fr, ebay.de, allegro.pl, etc.
2. Shopping websites eligible for private sales, e.g. etsy.com, rubylane.com, priceminister.com, amazon.
3. On-line classified advertisements boards, e.g. gumtree.com, preloved.co.uk, olx.hu
4. Lighter forums and clubs, e.g. forum.table-lighters.com, LCGB, OTLS
5. Antique shops and local auction houses.
6. Blogs and websites on lighters. Mainly rare pieces in very good condition have a chance to be accepted. 

Next month I will give you some detailed hints on how to sell lighters on eBay and similar platforms. To be up to date please subscribe to my my RSS feed!

PS. Listed below are the biggest auction services in the world (as for 2014-06-08).

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.

Vintage Zippo Mfg. Co. Postcard, ca. 1955

Below a rare linen postcard from the mid 1950s. It is depicting the headquarters of Zippo Mfg. Co. The "linen postcards" were produced from the late 1930s through the early 1950s mainly in the USA. They were produced on paper with a high rag content which gave the postcard a fabric type look and feel.

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")

FAQ: Make Yourself a Lighter, 1951

Below an interesting article on how to make a trench cigarette lighter (DIY). The original title of the article is "Turn Yourself a Lighter". It was initially issued in the Popular Science Magazine on January 1951.

Evans 'Antique Auto' Table Lighter, 1950

This fine bone China Evans 'Antique Auto' table lighter was designed and manufactured by Evans in the U.S.A. between 1950 and 1955. The lighter was marketed as a perfect gift and "conversation piece in the rich tradition of China". It was sold alone (model EC-68J600) or in a set 'Antique Auto Stein Set' (model EC-67J900) that consisted of the lighter "Auto Car Runabout 1902" (see picture) and two matching ashtrays with car prints such as: "Fords First Car 1896" and "Duryea Motor Wagon 1895". Lighter models with other antique cars are known, like: "Cadillac Automobile, 1903". 

The Evans gold-tone brass insert is a typical wick lighter. It uses the new fitment with the red seal - fuel control. It is marked: 

EVANS U.S.A. 

U.S. PAT. REG. 19023

The base of the lighter in shape of a tankard is made of ivory glazed ceramic. No markings on the bottom although my assumption is that the ceramic base was made by The Harker Pottery Co. in the United States. The two decorative stripes are made of 22k gold.

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: 152 zł ($50.00)–70.00 (approx 166 zł (€40.00)–55.00); set: 228 zł ($75.00)–90.00

Weight:

• 210 grams (7 1/4 oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 11.4 cm (4 1/2")
• diameter: 6.2 cm (2 1/2")
  

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.

Strikalite Lucite Table Lighter, 1946

The Strikalite Lucite Table Lighter was manufactured most probably between 1946 and 1948 in New York, U.S.A. The designer of the lucite lighter was K. Adler.

Strikalite was founded in 1934 by Harley Avedon in New York. The company dealt from the beginning with the manufacture and sale of novelty volume priced lighters. The lucite table lighter is one of its kind as it was probably the first lighter that took advantage of plexiglas which was first brought into market in 1933. The lighter insert is marked:

STRIKALITE

MADE IN U.S.A.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $25–40 (approx €20–30)

Weight: 90 g (6.70 oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.5 cm (3")
• width: 5 cm (2")
• depth: 2.8 cm (1")

Ronson Wedgwood Royalty v2 Table Lighter, 1953

This Ronson wick table lighter was made in 1953 in England by Ronson and Wedgwood. The 'Royalty' had a chrome plated fitment called Ronson Rondelight. It was mounted in a Wedgwood blue Jasper base with overlaid design – depicted are the Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) and Duke of Edinburgh – in white ceramic. The year 1953 was the year of Elizabeth II coronation so the lighter is also a royal memorabilia which does add some extra value to it.

Wedgwood is a British pottery firm, founded on May 1, 1759 by Josiah Wedgwood (1730–95). The company still exists and is noted for its numerous innovations and high-quality wares that achieved renown throughout the world. Wedgwood's name is synonymous with the Jasper Ware body type.

The main themes on the company's jasper ware have all been taken from ancient mythologies: Roman, Greek or Egyptian or Italian Renaissance and Baroque The initial decision to have antique designs was probably that as Britain entered an age of great industrialization, the demand for luxurious goods subsequently exploded. Meanwhile, the archaeological fever caught the imagination of many artists. Nothing could have been more suitable to satisfy this huge business demand than to produce replicas of artifacts. Wedgwoods pottery is  very collectible nowadays.

The lighter base is padded with felt. Marked on the bottom of the base:

WEDGWOOD
MADE IN 
ENGLAND 

1953

Lighter insert marked:

RONSON
TRADEMARK
MADE IN ENGLAND
RONDELIGHT
BRIT. PAT. 621570

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $50.00–75.00 (approx €40.00–60.00)

Weight: 125 grams (0.27 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.5 cm (2.6")
• length: 7.3 cm (2.9")
• width:  5.5 cm (2.2")

Parker (Dunhill) of London Silent Flame Lighter, 1935

This Silent Flame Table Lighter was manufactured by Parker of London Ltd. in New York (U.S.A.) between 1935 and 1944. The invention patented in 1935 was known as the electric cigar lighter "of the type wherein a wick is ignited through the heat of an electrical resistance element" and was very popular in the Art Deco period. 

The depicted silent flame lighter is known as the "Fan Dancer" inspired by Sally Rand. It was also sold as the "Aphrodite" - "Graceful nude statuette in gleaming chromium, mounted on plastic base. Touch lighter unit to any part of figure for a quick, sure flame". The metal female figure was available in chrome plate and gold-tone plate. The base was made of black or dark brown Bakelite. The very same version was marketed by Dunhill.

The bottom of the base is marked:

SILENT FLAME
TABLE LIGHTER
by
PARKER OF LONDON

MADE IN U.S.A.
U.S. Pat. No. 2020142

Type: electric petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $75.00–90.00 (approx. €60.00–75.00)

Weight: 180 grams (6 ¹/₂ oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 12.5 cm (5")
• width: 7.5 cm (3")
• length: 9 cm (3 ¹/₂")

The instruction on how to fill and light the cigar lighter and how to exchange the batteries is available here.

Ronson Carousel Table Lighter, 1950

The Ronson Carousel was first manufactured in 1950 in England. The production ceased shortly after in 1954. It has a ball shaped base made of dark and light wood.

This wick lighter was produced with two different chromium plate lighter inserts: flat and the one seen on the picture on the right. Both marked:

RONSON

TRADEMARK

MADE IN ENGLAND

BRIT. PAT. 621570

The bottom of the base is padded with green felt. Golden foil sticker on bottom marked:

RONSON

CAROUSEL

MADE IN ENGLAND

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $30.00–40.00 (approx. €25.00–35.00)

Weight: 150 grams (5 ¹/₈ oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.5 cm (3")
• diameter: 6.5 cm (2 ³/₄")

Advert: Dunhill Ball Table Lighter et al., 1929

A black & white Alfred Dunhill Limited advertisement published in 'Punch, or The London Charivarl' magazine on 18th December 1929. It depicts some of the smoking accessories manufactured by Dunhill:

• Vanity Pocket Lighter
• Sports Pocket Lighter
• Ball Table Lighter
• Table Lighter
• Watch Pocket Lighter
• Bijou Pocket Lighter etc.

FAQ: IMCO Foxhole & Blackout Lighter Instruction, 1941

This instruction comes from a foxhole lighter manufactured by IMCO in the 1940s in New York, United States. IMCO was founded in 1907 in Vienna, Austria by Julius Meister. At the beginning the company manufactured buttons for the military but from ca. 1919 it completely switched to the production of cigarette lighters.

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")

United & Clearfloat 'Fish Alive' Table Lighter, 1954

The United "Fish Alive" table lighter was manufactured between 1954 and 1956 in the United States by United Findings Co Inc. This wick lighter is a typical example of the industrial use of the clear float technology (based on the idea of inclusion) which was very popular in the 1950s in the U.S.

The base of the lighter is made of clear float lucite which is a transparent thermoplastic commonly known as plexiglas. Within the lucite is a realistic "Fish Alive" or "Fishing" theme with a fish, sand, pearl, sea shells, fish hook and plants. 

The lighter insert is removable and covered with a gold-tone lacquer. Marked on the underside:

MADE IN U.S.A.
UNITED
PAT. 2,723,547

The lucite base is signed Clearfloat TM on the bottom.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $45.00–60.00 (approx 30.00–45.00)

Weight: 200 grams (6 ³/₄ oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 9.5 cm (3.74")
• width: 6.3 cm (2.48")
• depth: 4.8 cm (1.89")

Alessi SG18 AZ "Bruce" Table Lighter, 1999

The Alessi SG18 AZ also called "Bruce" the Dinosaur Table Lighter was manufactured by Alessi between 1999 and 2003 in Italy. This modern gas lighter was available in three different colors: blue, orange and green. It is made of plastic with a chrome plated face. The "Bruce" Dinosaur lighter uses commonly available disposable butane lighters to work. To turn on the Dinosaur lighter you have to press his tummy.

The lighter was designed by Stefano Giovannoni, an Italian designer and architect born in 1954 in La Spezia, Italy. He designed some products mainly for Alessi but also for Fiat, Siemens, Henkel and Lavazza.

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for mint condition: $25.00–35.00 (approx €20.00–30.00)

Weight: 140 grams (5 oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 22 cm (8¾")
• width: 10 cm (4")

Old French postcard from the First World War, 1915

Below an interesting old postcard from France from the First World War period dating on the back 1915. The postcard is depicting a soldier with a cigarette and lighter in his hand. The French note means: A fine Londres cigar and a lighter and I am completely satisfied.

Advert: Dunhill Hunting Horn Table Lighter, 1932

A very interesting example of the 1930s ephemera – a letter from Alfred Dunhill Ltd. sent to their wholesale clients advertising a new model of a table lighter – the Dunhill Hunting Horn Lighter.