Collecting: Vintage lighters

The decorative designs of vintage lighters make them sought after, says Judith Miller.

Although examples were made earlier, the lighter became widespread in the early 20th century to fulfil a new market of smokers when the cigarette rose to popularity (previously, cigars or cigarillos were lit with matches). As the film industry emerged and blossomed, celebrities were almost always seen smoking; the habit was seen as glamorous, fashionable and even beneficial to health. Lighter designs at the time were therefore often elegant and finely decorated, materials were usually high quality – solid or plated silver, gold or chrome – and the mechanisms were fine and smooth.

The major name in the industry was – and still is today – Dunhill. In 1919, Alfred Dunhill engaged Willey Greenwood and Frederick Wise to design a new product to add to his successful range of automobile accessories. The prototype was created from an old mustard can and featured a horizontal flint, allowing the user to operate it with just one hand. This led to the launch of the landmark lighter named ‘Unique’, which was the must have accessory of the time and is still in production today. While a vintage plain silver-plated ‘Unique’ in excellent condition may fetch around £100, keep an eye out for those with other functions – an embedded watch may raise the value to £2,000 or more; and those covered with exquisite Japanese maki-e lacquer decoration by Namiki – the best often taking months to create – can fetch similar sums.

ABOVE (left-right): 1930s silver plated Dunhill ‘Unique’ pipe lighter, £100-£150; 1970s Dunhill ‘Rollagas’, gold plated, £30-£40.

Other names worth collecting include Thorens, a Swiss manufacturer well known for music boxes; the company used its knowledge of these movements to create lighters with fine quality mechanisms. Meanwhile, American firm Ronson produced streamlined designs which are worth anything from £10-£15 upwards today. However, the lighters made by Zippo (who acquired Ronson’s lighter division earlier this year) tend to be more popular in the United States; look out for advertising or commemorative examples, and those cast in precious metals.

ABOVE (left-right): Elisorm ‘Auto-Tank’ 9ct gold with owner’s initials, £35-£45; Art Deco 9ct gold with Greek key border, £200-£300

Tips for collectors:

• While the brand, material and mechanism all affect price, condition also has a major impact. Lighters were made to be used so were often damaged; dents and splits will devalue them.

• The level of decoration is important. For instance, Dunhill’s 1950s ‘Aquarium’ and (rare) ‘Aviary’ designs were reverse carved and painted in Lucite; the detail, type and number of fish or birds also increases worth.

• Lighters that have another function, such as a compact mirror or watch, will raise interest.

• Look out for novelty forms – Dunhill’s book-shaped lighter (called ‘The Light’) can fetch up to £500 in complete, undamaged condition; its tankard shaped ‘Bumper’ table lighter may fetch around £50.

• An affordable area is Trench Art – lighters created by soldiers from bullet casings or pieces of metal; examples can be picked up from just £2.

• At the other end of the market, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels are names to seek out; their expertise in high-end jewellery translates to their lighter designs.

• Inexpensive lighters can be bought at car boot sales and fairs; keen collectors should visit lighterclub.co.uk.

FEATURE JUDITH MILLER PHOTOGRAPHS CLASSIC AUTOMOBILIA & REGALIA SPECIALISTS; SPECIAL AUCTION SERVICES; SWORDERS
Featured in the October 2010 issue of Period Living

Buy Judith Miller’s Antiques Handbook & Price Guide 2012-2013