Lighter

Lighter Club of Great Britain holds fair open to both members and non-members

In the wake of an auction record for an ‘aquarium’ lighter at Chiswick Auctions (25/12% buyer’s premium), six more of the classic Dunhill accessories lit up the saleroom.

While they may not appear such comfortable bedfellows today, the novel weapons of mass destruction created during the First World War were deemed a perfectly suitable subject for novelty trinkets of the day.

An auction record was set for an Alfred Dunhill ‘aquarium’ lighter at Chiswick Auctions.

Among the eye-catchers at Wendl in Rudolstadt from October 27-29 is an example of the world’s first functioning lighter.

Dunhill Aquarium table lighters painted by Margaret Bennett and husband Alan in the 1950s-60s remain popular among collectors in these non-smoking days.

Catalogued together with an incomplete silver propelling pencil with a bloodstone terminal, a silver Art Deco pocket lighter with a timepiece sold at £5200 (estimate £100-200) at Amersham Auction Rooms (17.5% buyer’s premium) on July 11.

Despite the fact that smoking cigarettes has been ostracised, the rise in interest for vintage smoking paraphernalia has increased.

Portable lighters appeared in the early 20th century, with Dunhill being the most collectable name and watch lighters regarded as most covetable.

A gentleman retires to his designated smoker’s chair, picks up his meerschaum pipe and Dunhill lighter and puffs away contentedly by his hearth… a vanished scenario in the UK today but recreated in the antiques world in these three items from December auctions.