General speaking, the value of a lighter can be identified with the price someone is ready to pay for it. This thesis would be correct if only the market would be perfect (perfect information and perfect competition). Of course it is not. That is why collectors search for a better way of valuating their trophies. The simplest way is to look for the most up-to-date reference sources, like ended auctions or on-line guides.
Estimating the value of vintage lighters is a very complex process. One need to take into account several factors. The collectors value depends on:
The condition is one of the most fundamental issue for a collector. The most sought after are lighters in mint, pristine condition. The poorer the condition the less valuable is a lighter. It is often the case that the difference in pricing between a lighter in good condition and mint condition is 45-75%. It is worth to now that a mint cigarette lighter should include packaging, instructions, tags etc. To such lighters one refers to as "old new stock" (abbreviated ONS) or "mint in box" (abbreviated MIB).
2. AgeIn general, the older the lighter is the better. The main reason for it is scarcity and condition. It is much easier to find a Ronson Crown manufactured in 1952 than a Ronson Crown in the 1936 in excellent or mint condition. Furthermore the closer we are of the modern times the closer the mass production economy model.
3. Brand, model, country, style of origin etc.People collect everything. I am quite sure it would be impossible to find anything that comes to your mind that people do not collect. The only issue is many of them collects what. Regarding vintage cigarette lighters, collectors often specialize in collecting lighters that can be ascribed to a distinct category, like: German lighters, pocket lighters, figural lighters, lighters made by Evans, lighters made of silver, Art Deco lighters, wick table lighters, etc. The price of a lighter will than depend on the amount of collectors of its kind and fashions. Of course not only lighter collectors look for vintage lighters. You should take into consideration for instance people who are decorating their homes in one particular style, like Art Nouveau - they also will look for lighters in Art Nouveau style.
4. ScarcityThe most important factor for scarcity is the amount of lighters that were manufactured. One can also include the problem of wars in which a lot of goods is being destroyed, etc.
5. Quality and materials used for productionIt is quite obvious that a lighter made of gold is more valuable than the one made of silver. The same counts to fine craftsmanship.
OK, are that all factors? Of course not, but these are the most important factors that must be considered in you estimation.
The nominal value of a lighterDue to inflation the real value of money decreases. It refers to all currencies whether it is a dollar, euro or pound. In opposite to paper money gold does not lose its value due inflation. That is why it is the best mean in the analysis to compare prices and the purchase power of money long term. The nominal value often differs from the real market (collectors) value.
Zippo case study: The market value for a Lady Bradford Zippo table lighter in 1950 (see advertisement from Life magazine from 06.05.1950) was $10. Actualizing the $10 price tag the nominal value today should be much higher. One once of gold in 1950 cost $40,25 and in 2008 it was near $872. It means in 1950 you could buy for one once of gold only 4 Lady Bradford Zippos! In terms of nominal value the very same Lady Bradford would cost today $218. But it does not - you can have it in mint condition at ebay for approx. $150. Can someone explain why? What happened here? What has changed in these years?
PS. The Zippo Lady Bradford was manufactured between 1949-1951. In addition Zippo started in 1997 (production ceased in 2002) a reissue of the classic Lady Bradford calling it Lady Barbara. It is still available for approx. $100.
PS2. The yearly gold prices since 1793 can be found
here.
The MaruMan T2 Electric Table Lighter was marketed in the 1970 in Japan. It is one of the most interesting examples of the evolution of piezoelectric technology fitted in MaruMan table lighters. The first Maruman piezoelectric table lighter was introduced in 1967 and simply called "Business Lighter". It was three years after (December 1964) Mansei Koyo Kabushiki Kaisa of the MaruMan company produced the first piezo lighter in the world.
All three were selling for the same price of $12.50. It might be interesting to know that during the time of production the Zippo Moderne has changed a little bit. The face lifting was connected with rounding the edge of the pedestal which was till 1963 more sharp.
The Zippo Corinthian Table Lighter was first manufactured in 1960 next to the Zippo Moderne desk-top lighter in Bradford, Pennsylvania in the United States. Both the Moderne and Corinthian were discontinued in 1966 though they were marketed till 1967. This is the best looking table lighter produced so far by Zippo. It has a delicate shape of an urn which makes it quite handy. The Zippo Corinthian was available in three finishes:
All were selling for the same price of $16.50 but only two had a delicate high-fired enamel (in turquoise and pearlescent color). The 1960s were the only period in the history when Zippo marketed three different models of table lighters (see picture on the left: Zippo Moderne, Zippo Corinthian and Zippo Barcroft).
The Zippo Barcroft is the proud successor of the Zippo #10 which was produced till 1953. The Zippo Barcroft was manufactured between 1953 and 1979 in Bradford, United States and also in Canada. One often refers to it as the 4th edition or version of the Barcroft Table Lighter which is a simple combination of a traditional Zippo lighter insert and an attachable pedestal base. It was made in various finishes like: brass, polished chrome and the most popular – steel satin finish.
This Zippo table lighter was often used as a promotional gadget for different organizations and occasions. In many cases a logo of a very known brand on the Barcroft will add value to it. For example a Barcroft with a Coca Cola logo might cost above $600. Other less valuable examples are: USS (United States Steel), Chrysler or Ford. 
The Ronson 'American Classic' Table Lighter is a modern example of the table lighters manufactured these days. It was manufactured between the year 2001 and 2003 in China and distributed mainly by Ronson in Italy and the USA. This table lighter has a bronze antique finish with a floral pattern. The base is padded with black velvet.
This Ship's Wheel Table Lighter made by Hamilton was first manufactured in 1940 in the United States. This nautical figural lighter is heavy chrome plated (no. 3QR7561B) - likely the other most famous Hamilton products: the Airplane and the Knight Table Lighter. The top as well the bottom are painted in black. It was though also available in brass finish (no. 3QR7562C) which is rare.
The 'Classic' (model no. 1250 T) was manufactured in 1949 by the American Safety Razor Co. in the United States (Brooklyn, New York). This model was available only in gleaming rhodium finish.
One of the advertisement published in the "Life" magazine in 1949 says about this product: "A·S·R 'Classic' Table Lighter in luxurious Rhodium finish. Won't tarnish, can be machine engraved. Great fuel capacity and all other distinctive A·S·R features."
The Varaflame Luralite is one of the 25 different table lighter models of Ronson produced in the second half of the 1960s. This particular butane lighter model was manufactured in Woodbridge in New Jersey (U.S.A.) between 1967 and 1971. The Varaflame Luralite was available in three finishes: gold, anthracite and silver tone (see picture). The surface of the base of the lighter has a patched pattern.
Type: butane (gas) lighter
The Ronson Waldorf was first manufactured in 1936 in Newark, N.J., USA. There are two versions of this table lighter. The first was produced between 1936–1937 and the second, which is less scarce, between 1950–1952 (see picture). Both versions used the Ronson Adonis fitment.
The Zippo Lady Barbara was first released as a 65th Anniversary model lighter in 1997 - it had an etched 65th Anniversary logo on the front (see picture). Lady Barbara was manufactured in three different finishes till 2003 in Bradford, United States. The Lady Barbara Classic Antique has a silver plate antique finish and was manufactured between 1998-2003 and it replicated the classic 1949-51 Zippo Lady Bradford design. Beside the Anniversary model and the Classic Antique model there is a Camel model with a etched Camel logo on the front.
This Zippo might be a classic though it looks awkward and feels quite cheap.
General speaking, the value of a lighter can be identified with the price someone is ready to pay for it. This thesis would be correct if only the market would be perfect (perfect information and perfect competition). Of course it is not. That is why collectors search for a better way of valuating their trophies. The simplest way is to look for the most up-to-date reference sources, like ended auctions or on-line guides.
Zippo case study: The market value for a Lady Bradford Zippo table lighter in 1950 (see advertisement from Life magazine from 06.05.1950) was $10. Actualizing the $10 price tag the nominal value today should be much higher. One once of gold in 1950 cost $40,25 and in 2008 it was near $872. It means in 1950 you could buy for one once of gold only 4 Lady Bradford Zippos! In terms of nominal value the very same Lady Bradford would cost today $218. But it does not - you can have it in mint condition at ebay for approx. $150. Can someone explain why? What happened here? What has changed in these years?
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.
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.
