zippo click magazine 3_2005

Letterfrom thePresident

Kathy JonesCollectors ClubAdministrator

Letterf r om t heAdministrator

Every Zippo lighter tells a story. My first Zippolighter was a brushed chrome case with thedowntown Bradford gazebo on the surface. Tome, that lighter symbolized a special place,Bradford, Pennsylvania. Of course, the ZippoClick exclusive lighters like the member lighterpictured below are an important part of mycollection too! The next time you’re shoppingfor a Zippo lighter to add to your collection,take the Zippo Pocket Collectors Guideenclosed with this issue with you.

This year, there will be plenty of opportunitiesfor you to share your Zippo treasures and taleswith other collectors around the world. Plansare well underway for the eighth Zippo/CaseInternational Swap Meet this summer. Join usfor the member-only event on Wednesday, July19, the dinner and auction on Thursday, July20, and the Swap Meet on Friday andSaturday, July 21 and 22. Look in thecollecting section on the new zippoclick.comfor event information.

That’s right, a new zippoclick.com! I’m sureyou’ll find the site to be user friendly with newfeatures you’ve requested like the Zippocatalog and Click magazine archive, ClickTogether schedule and event registration form,and How To Spot a Fake Zippo Lighter.

Again, this year, werandomly chose 25members to receive the2006 Zippo ExecutiveDiary and Zippo Japandesktop calendar.Members with at leastone Click Point wereeligible for the diarydrawing. We appreciateyour loyalty and help tomake Zippo Click one of the largest lighterclubs in the world. If you’d like to learn howyou can earn Click Points, go tozippoclick.com.

For nearly 75 years, millions of spectaculardesigns have appeared on the canvas of theZippo lighter. The colorful palette of stories inthis issue paint an unparallel picture of Zippoart… so flip the page to begin your journeythrough the “Art of Zippo!”

4 / Click magazine / Vol. 3, 2005

Zippo Executive Diary 2006

The new glossyCandy Apple Redtranslucent powdercoat finish andsunburst ZippoClick logo anddesign make thisexclusive memberlighter shine.

#21063-000004$27.95

Design a Zippo Lighter!


Note: Send your entry to the Goris Group at the address indicated on the form, not to the Club.

is a common expressionacross the Caribbean and it is a very appropriatedescription of owning a Zippolighter. There is another Zippoconnection to the Caribbean

and as a Zippo Clickmember, you areinvited to join the fun.

Zippo’s Caribbeandistributor, GorisGroup, issponsoring aCaribbeanDesign-A-Lighter contest.Entrants areencouraged tocreate designswith a

Caribbean theme, but anydesign can be submitted. To getyou started, there is an entryform, “No Problem” pencil, andan especially created ZippoCaribbean tattoo enclosed withthis issue.

Zippo already markets anawesome array of island-themedlighters as you can see on thispage and on the front of theentry form. Wouldn’t it be greatto add any of these distinctivemodels to your collection? It

would be even more exciting toown a Zippo lighter that youcreated. You can if you are awinner.

Other cool prizes include theopportunity to have the winningdesign featured in the productline for the Caribbean marketand a one-year membership inthe Club (or a one-yearextension for current members).

The Goris Group is planning toselect more than one winnerand has an extra prize for thecreators of the top three sellingdesigns – a sterling silver lighter.See the contest rules on theback of the form for additionalprize details.

So, it’s “No Problem, Mon” just get creative and startdesigning! Hurry, the contestends June 30, 2006.

By Pat Grandy


By Larry Visbisky

Zippo consumers have come to respect and admire two importantfeatures of the Zippo pocket lighter. It’s American made, and everyone comes with Zippo’s famous lifetime guarantee that “It works orwe fix it free™.”

Years of consistent use can wear on the mechanical workings of thepocket lighter. The most common mechanical part ofthe Zippo lighter requiring repair is the hinge. Usingonly quality materials and steadfast workmanship,Zippo has changed the hinge design, thusstrengthening the bond between the lighter lid andcase.

This change may not be noticeable to the casual Zippolighter user, but seasoned lighter collectors are sure topinpoint the change immediately. The first casesmanufactured with the new hinges bear the bottomstamp “B” and “05,” which is the manufacture date ofFebruary 2005. A change in appearance is evidentupon close inspection; the new hinge is slightly smallerin width as is the case notch. The new hinge also haslarger 2nd and 4th barrel as opposed to its 1st, 3rdand 5th barrel.

Repair procedures for the new hinge will not change,but a repair stock of old and new style hinges will bekept to ensure that the hinge on a repaired lighter willbe the same style the lighter originally had whenshipped to the Zippo repair department.

Like the first 425 million pocket lighters manufacturedover the past 74 years, Zippo is committed tocontinuing to manufacture a superior product. Thisnew development will give pocket lighter consumerseven more faith in the iconic lighter and our “WorldFamous Zippo Guarantee.”

The first casesmanufactured with

the new hingesbear the bottomstamp “B” and

“05,” which is themanufacture dateof February 2005.

PreviousHinge

CurrentHinge

Can you spot t he d i f f er ence?

New Fuel - Burning for a Bright Future


By Larry Visbisky

Have you seen the new Zippo lighter fluid? Zippo isproud to introduce a new formula fuel – nicknamed“cool fuel” - with improved, industry leadingperformance.

Zippo began testing the cool fuel in early 2005. Themission: to develop fuel that would be better inperformance, yet burn cleaner, create less irritation tothe skin and have less odor.

Many long-time Zippo fans love the familiar smellof Zippo lighter fluid – we often hear stories abouthow the unmistakable smell recalls memories of afather or grandfather who used the pocket lighter.Some diehards might be upset with the change,but the reduced odor has its benefits. Lower odor is criticalto hunters who want to keep man-made scents to aminimum. Also, some cigar smokers felt that the old Zippofuel imparted an aftertaste that detracted from the flavor ofthe cigar. The new fuel is much less detectible.

Both old and new fuels are petroleum based, however thenew fuel is more highly refined, containing cosmeticgrade petroleum distillates. This is why it is less irritatingto the skin.

The new formula required new messaging on thepackage so the graphics were recently updated on thefuel can. In addition to details about the improved fuel,Spanish text was added to the fuel cans for theconvenience of Zippo’s Hispanic customers. The newfuel cans entered the U.S. market last fall. Newbilingual graphics for Canada were alsointroduced. Similar new graphics are beingphased-in for fuel distributed in all of Zippo’soverseas markets.

Of course, we always recommend Zippo lighterfluid for use in Zippo lighters – as a matter of fact, we thinkthe new lighter fluid is the best fuel on the market. We hopeyou agree!

4 oz. can 12 oz. can

U.S. versions of the new fuel cans.

133ml can 355ml can

Canadian versions of the new fuel cans.

William Vibes


By Marty Ours

In 1992, Zippo released Born to Ride, a series oflighters by artist WM ViBES (William Vibes). Designslike Maiden America, which featured a scantilydressed biker babe, stirred plenty of controversy atZippo. In fact, the edgy Born to Ride series was nearlyrejected by Zippo executives prior to production.

Since their release, Zippo has received numerousinquiries asking who is WM ViBES? Following the Bornto Ride series, no other WM ViBES artwork wasreleased, but Zippo chose to protect William Vibes’anonymity…until now.

WM ViBES was not an individual artist. In fact, WMViBES was actually a collaboration of six artists – allmembers of the World Famous Zippo ArtDepartment…Rita Walters, Lynn McMillan, SteveValenti, Jeff Bosworth, Arnold Evers, and DeniseSwain. The name was generated from a combinationof their names, using the first letter of each last name.

“We created the William Vibes name because we feltartwork with an artist signature would create moredemand,” explained Lynn McMillan, Zippo GraphicArtist. “The Born to Ride series was also uniquebecause it was the first time Zippo artists had theirown original art reproduced on a lighter. Prior to thisseries, our time was spent replicating logos anddesigns. Only the Art Director’s original art wasplaced on a lighter; including the art on the Town andCountry and Sports Series.”

The Born to Ride series included eight designsavailable on either Black Matte or High PolishChrome, and originally retailed for $17.95 each.They were first available in July, 1992 and remainedin the Zippo Complete Line catalog until 1994.


By Samantha Cibula

In 1946, Zippo was growing and business wasbooming. Up to that point, artwork for Zippo lightershad been done by independent artists outside of thecompany. With business picking up, Zippo founderGeorge G. Blaisdell decided to hire the company’sfirst in-house artist. He offered the position to JackClark, one of the artists who had been contributingartwork for Zippo.

“ I started out in the small building across from 33Barbour Street . . . everything was done in thatbuilding,” recalled Jack. “ I remember when I gotthere they had a desk for me and a drawing board,and every time it rained the water would drip onto myboard.”

Shortly after he was hired, he was given permission tohire additional artists. Jack hired 63 artists between1946 and his retirement in 1983. He was thefoundation in building a successful art departmentthat still stands strong today. “Jack would give anyonea chance if they had talent,” said 43 year Zippo artistArnold Evers.

Jack’s years at Zippo were marked by manyaccomplishments and fond memories. One of hisgreatest personal achievements was a portrait ofGeorge G. Blaisdell. Although several famous artistshad tried tocapture himon canvas,Mr. Blaisdelldidn’t like theirwork, so he askedJack to paint theportrait. It tookJack six months tocomplete it.“ I worked frompictures that weretaken by RudyBickel,” said Jack.“Sometimes I’dwork on it for hours and sometimes I’d just have toget away from it.”

Mr. Blaisdell cried when he saw the finished portrait.

Today theportrait, finishedin 1972 andsigned by Jack,is prominentlydisplayed in theboardroom atZippo. Theportrait may beseen in thebackground ofmanycontemporaryphotos, including the executive diary photo of SarahDorn and George Duke as shown above.

The portrait was only one of the many highlights inhis career at Zippo. On a daily basis, Jack workedvery closely with Mr. Blaisdell on many projects andnew ideas. “Mr. Blaisdell was a genius,” said Jack.“He was on top of everything. A lot of the ideasduring the time came straight from him… he wouldcome up with an idea and I would try to put it on alighter.”

The Town & Country series was an idea generated byMr. Blaisdell and Jack. “Mr. Blaisdell wanted to find away to put my wildlife art onto a lighter, but wasn’tsure how we could make the paint stick,” said Jack.“I had just happened to read an article in theAmerican Artist magazine that talked about a guy ata place in New York City called the Sculpture House,who had developed a paint that would stick.”

Mr. Blaisdell didn’t hesitate to send Jack to New YorkCity, where he spent three days learning about thepaint and the process. Jack found that the key to theprocess was baking the lighters after they werepainted. “When I got back and we started theprocess, I actually took the lighters home and bakedthem in my oven,” said Jack.

Today Jack resides in North Carolina and still keepstabs on Zippo, visiting most recently last fall. As forthe lighters in his collection, they are not for sale.Jack has been offered up to $15,000 for one of hisoriginal lighters but the memories they hold cannotbe priced. Jack’s collection has been handed downto his grandson, Jason Barnes, in hopes of keepingthe collection in the family.

The First Zippo Ar t ist

Jack, hard a t w ork on the pa inting.

Heading


Jon RobynZippo collectors are most familiar withJon Robyn’s “Mysteries of the ForestTM”Collectible of the Year, but he alsocreated dozens of other designs thathave been featured in Zippo catalogs.Pictured are two of Robyn’s earlierpieces that were featured in the 1995-96 Zippo catalog.

Ted LapidusIn 1996, internationally acclaimeddesigner Ted Lapidus created a series often lighters with a nautical motif.These pieces originally retailed from$23.95 up to $51.95.

Stanley MouseStanley Mouse gained fame from hisbold album cover designs, posterillustrations, and book covers. Zippopresented a selection of ten of StanleyMouse’s greatest hits in the 1997“Rock Art” collection. A year later,eight memorable rock images wereadded to the Zippo collection.

George PettyGeorge Brown Petty IV was mostknown for his classic pinup art of the1930’s. A series of six beautiful pinupswere introduced in 1997. Six morecaptivating beauties were added in1999 and four more in 2001 and2002, respectively.

By Marty Ours

In 1936, when asked to place the Kendall Oil Company logo on a Zippo lighter, George G. Blaisdell realized hislighter appealed as much to fashion as to function… the lighter’s surface could also serve as a blank canvas. And the“Art of Zippo” was born.

Today, the “Art of Zippo” evokes images of the millions of designs portrayed on the canvas of a Zippo lighter over thepast seven decades… everything from company logos to pinup girls to automobiles to military insignia.

Many American and international artists have contributed to the “Art of Zippo”. There has been much debate as towho is the greatest artist to ever use a Zippo lighter as a canvas. It’s a question that may never be answered. Onething is certain, Zippo lighters have sparked more than just flames, and they have sparked the imagination of artistsaround the globe.

Let’s take a look at some of the more famous artists whose artwork has been featured on Zippo lighters…

Richard WallichIn 1998, Zippo commissionedimpressionist artist Richard Wallich foran exclusive series of works celebratingthe splendor of song. There were fourlighters in the series.

Burton MorrisAcademy Award designer Burton Morrisgained fame when his artwork wasfeatured on the hit TV show “Friends”.In 2000, Morris designed four colorfulZippo lighters

Gary KelleyKelley’s work has been exhibitedextensively in galleries across thecountry. He designed two Zippo lightersin 2000.

Keith HaringReading, Pennsylvania artist KeithHaring became one of the mostpopular artists of the late 20th centurywith exhibits in museums around theworld. A series of four Haring designswere featured on Zippo lighters in2000.

Theof Zippo

A rt



Carson WatermanCarson R. Waterman is one of the mostrenowned artists of the Seneca Nationof Indians. In 2003, he shared his artand the spirit of the Seneca people ona series of four Zippo lighters.

Guy HarveyFamous for his fine detail in Marinewildlife art, Guy Harvey first offeredhis art on the Zippo lighter in 2002and has been a standard issue to theZippo line since that time.

Olivia DeBerardinisThe world’s foremost glamour artist hasgraced the canvas of the Zippo lighterwith her stunning renditions of thefemale form. Six designs wereintroduced in 2004 and four newdesigns have been added to the 2006Zippo collection.

Sam BassNASCAR’s First Officially Licensed Artist,Sam Bass designs the Zippo’smotorsports line of pocket lighters.Bass has his own art gallery in Concord,North Carolina, and a large followingfor his collectible prints and posters.

TraditionsCollection™

This collection showcases original art byrenowned tattoo artists. Five designswere introduced in 2005 and two newdesigns have been added this year.

Claudio MazziA story about the “Art of Zippo” wouldnot be complete without mention ofClaudio Mazzi. His airbrush art hasbeen a favorite among many Zippocollectors throughout the world since1996 when he began painting Zippolighters.

Istvan BanyaiBanyai is known around the world forhis commercial illustrations andanimation on countless album coversand magazine advertisements. Hedesigned two front and back viewlighters in 2000.

Norman RockwellOver the course of 47 years, over 300Saturday Evening Post covers featuredthe art of Normal Rockwell. Four classicRockwell Post covers were reproducedon Zippo lighters in 2002. It was onlyfitting that a quintessential Americanproduct like the Zippo lighter wouldfeature the art of a quintessentialAmerican artist like Rockwell.

Zippo Art Department“Artist’s Row”Artists from the Zippo Art Department have re-created thousands oflogos, original artwork, and licensed designs onto the face of thelighter. All too often their talents go unnoticed, because theirnames are not on the finished product. In reality, they are thebackbone of all the cool designs that are seen on the face of theZippo lighter.

If you have ever wondered what the artists themselves view astheir favorites, look no further than the Zippo/ Case Visitors Centerin Bradford, Pennsylvania. One row of the 7 x 11 foot AmericanFlag is aptly named “Artist’s Row.” Each artist in the departmentchose what they felt was their best piece, original or recreated,and had it placed within the flag.

“When assembling the American Flag of Zippo lighters, we thoughtit would be fitting to pay tribute to the gifted artists within ourcompany,” explained SteveMahon, Zippo Visual DisplayCoordinator. “Each lighter isinitialed, some may lookfamiliar, but others will notbecause they are a one-of-a-kind”


By Larry Visbisky

Throughout the past 73 years, Zippo artists have seen millions of designs pass through the art department.Each design reproduced on a Zippo lighter gives the lighter character and its own personality. In addition, aZippo lighter can become an extension of one’s personality, carrying the design of a favorite sports team,animal, logo, car brand, or even celebrity. The Zippo artists in the “World Famous Zippo Art Department”generate most of the graphics that adorn the face of a Zippo lighter. Therefore, we asked our former andcurrent Art Directors to pick their favorite lighter.

Zippo’s first Art Director, Jack Clark was hand picked by Zippo founder George G. Blaisdell to become ArtDirector in 1946. When asked about his favorite lighter, Jack couldn’t narrow his choice to just one, butinstead chose a collection of lighters, the Town & Country series not only because of the story behind thecollection but also because he developed it! The series is also a favorite of lighter collectors who eagerly tryto piece together, lighter by lighter, the rare and highly sought-after series.

The Town & Country series, first offered in 1949, employed a “paint-on-paint” process. The colors wereairbrushed on the lighter one at a time after the surface was engraved to a .004 inch depth. The name Town& Country referred to the lighters in the series and the process used to create the artwork. The series wasillustrated with eight icons: the mallard, pheasant, geese, trout, horse, English setter, lily pond, and the sloopor sailboat.

Jack retired in 1983, passing the torch to one of the artists in the department, Annie Rhoades.

“All the lighter designs are great,” was the initial response to our question from Annie Rhoades, who beganher Zippo career in 1952 and became Art Director in 1984. Annie held the position of Art Director until herretirement in 1988.

The slim lighters are Rhoades’s favorite, but to narrow her choice, she picked the Diagonal Slim lighter, whichfeatured a fleur de lis pattern.

Town & Country serieslighters in mint condition are

a rare find for collectors.

Art Directors’ favorite lighters

The Diagonal Slim Zippo lighterfeatured a fleur de lis designpattern and like most slimlighters was popular with thefemale consumers.

THE CHOSEN ONES


“The first lighter that I really liked was the fleur de lisengraved design. There have been so many beautifulones over the years and with the new engravingoptions, it’s hard to pick a favorite anymore,” saidAnnie. “One of my greatest memories about workingat Zippo was when Mr. Blaisdell would come throughthe departments always smiling and knowing eachemployee’s name,” stated Annie. “ I am proud to havebeen a part of Zippo.”

Harry Schreiber began his tenure at Zippo in 1961and became Art Director after Rhoades retired in1988. He held the position until his retirement in2000.

Harry is a fan of the brush chrome lighter. “The brushfinish lighter feels good in your hand, and doesn’tshow smudges like a high polish lighter,” said Harry.

The moon landing graphic is a design very dear to Harry, a design created by his fellow employee and closefriend, the late Paul Hadju. “The moon landing graphic was great, and at the time it was exciting that wewere putting this historical event on a Zippo lighter,” said Harry. The moon landing lighter was developed in1969 and was the last lighter to ever be produced using the Town & Country paint process.

Present Art (now Creative Services) Director Dale Ver Voort didn’t hesitate to share his favorite. Dale’s pick isa Zippo lighter produced for Philip Morris International using a reverse etch process. The lighter features thereverse etched graphics of the letter “M” representative of Marlboro and a steer skull on a street chromelighter.

“ I like the design and reverse etch process, it looks as if the design is lifted off the lighter, it’s a nice look;definitely my favorite,” stated Dale.

Being the Art Director has its perks, especially if new designs and cutting edge graphics are your cup of tea.“ It’s great seeing all the different designs; each day we have 20 – 30 new designs,” said Dale. “ It truly amazesme how everyone wants to see their design on a Zippo lighter,” he concluded.

What is your favorite Zippo lighter? Whether it’s the first lighter you received as a gift, the lighter you searchedyears to find, or maybe it’s time to find a new favorite. Regardless, there always seems to be a favored lighter,the one that is chosen to stand above them all. Show us your favorite Zippo lighter on zippoclick.com.

The moon landing was the lastgraphic produced using the Town& Country paint process in 1969.

Current Art Director, Dale Ver Voort, visits withZippo’s first Art Director, Jack Clark, duringNational Zippo Day 2005.

The reverse etch on the streetchrome Zippo lighterproduces a stunning effect.

Clicking Around the World

Zippo YokohamaSwap Meet


Zippo Click members are familiar withthe biennial Zippo/Case InternationalSwap Meet held in Bradford, PA.However, many of you may not beaware that another Swap Meet heldaround the world.

On November 5 and 6, Zippo collectorsfrom the Eastern Hemisphere convergedon the Red Brick Parkalong the Pacific Ocean for the2005 Yokohama Swap Meetin Yokohama, Japan. Itmay have been held a greatdistance from Bradford at adrastically different setting, butin many ways, the eventresembled the Zippo/CaseInternational Swap Meet inBradford. Thousands of Zippoenthusiasts attended, thousands oflighters were bought, sold, and traded;and even the popular Zlinko boardmade an appearance. An exclusiveSwap Meet auction, on-site repairservice, and a performance by a countrywestern band rounded out the SwapMeet activities. The event was organizedand hosted by Zippo Japan.

“Zippo Japan commemoratedthe event with hats, t-shirts,pins, and of course Zippo lighters,”explained Rick Pedine, Zippo ExportManager for Asia. “Two commemorativeYokohama Swap Meet lighters, eachlimited to only 800 pieces, were offeredto attendees.”

In all, 137 vendor tables displayedZippo lighters. “ I was very impressedwith the passion of the Zippocollectors,” said Violet Snyder, ZippoGlobal Licensing Manager. “They havea real sense of pride in their collectionsand designed beautiful displays”.

By Marty Ours

Hiroshi Kohara, stands at the Yukari Zippo Stationexhibit at the Yokohama Swap Meet. Hiroshi is theowner of Yukari Zippo Station, one of the largest Zipporetailers in Japan, and hosts Club Zippo Station. Forinformation about the club, go to zippostation.co.jp.Photo courtesy of Hiroshi Kohara

European Collectors Unitefor Swap Meet


By Larry Visbisky

The first European Zippo Swap Meet, “1. Europaisches Zippo-Sammlertreffen,”held in Germany last July 15 – 17;

the same weekend Zippocelebrated National Zippo Day in Bradford.

The event was held at Bistro am Sonnenstuhl in Randersacker, Germany and organized by the Zippo lighter collecting club Zippo Flamme Deutschland. Lighter collecting clubs from the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy were invited to the event.

The weekend was filled with several activities including drawings for Zippo lighters, auctions, music, and games. Swapping and trading is always the focus of any lighter event for collectors eager to purchase a special Zippo collectible lighter.

Highlights of the Swap Meetincluded displays of the largestprivate Harley Davidson and MazziZippo lighter collection in Germany.The event also welcomed specialguests throughout the weekend,including artists Josef Bauer (FeminaUniversa and Tiki Girls), and RolfGerster (Vietnam Zippo lighterexpert in Germany).

Log on to zipposammler.net forphotos of the event; sponsored byZippo’s German distributor, ZippoGmbH.

The European Swap Meet lighter,limited to 100 pieces, was availableto attendees at the event.

Zippo Flamme Deutschland officers (back left) Kay Schmitt,club secretary; Christian Hammerl, Vice President; Willi Meyer,President; (front left) Frank Hartung, Treasurer; and HaraldBlank, Second Vice President pause for a photo with FrankBaumann, Sales Manager from Zippo GmbH during the event.Photo courtesy of Zippo GmbH

Clicking Around the World

After many years of selling Zippo products, Icouldn’t count the number of times I’ve beenasked this question. It’s an easy question, yetdifficult to answer - correctly.

A fair value for a Zippo product is simply whata buyer and seller agree to.

There are many factors to consider indetermining the value of any collectible,including Zippo products (many Zippo fanscollect more than just lighters). Once youconsider the basics (such as High PolishChrome, imprint, or date) the next factors ofimportance would be condition and demand.Condition is rather well understood. Demand,on the other hand, is more complex.

Popularity drives demand regardless of theproduction numbers. A relatively small supplycreated by short availability (single yearrelease), limited licensing period, intentionallimited production, or the occasionalproduction problem can dramatically affectdemand. These factors alone or in combinationwill set a base value - often using Zippo’spublished retailprice as a starting point.

I strongly advise anyone with a Zippotreasure they’d like to value or sell, todo some research. Lighter collectororganizations, including Zippo Click,offer easy access to comparable sales.You may not be able to find the exactitem being sold, but use the most unique

aspect of the lighter you have, or wish toobtain, as a starting point and match as manyadditional features as possible to any recentsales information you find.

Then there’s the Trump Card; provenance!Provenance can make an otherwise standard# 200 Brushed Chrome Zippo lighter a treasureof serious value. Simply put, who does orwhom did it belong to? Frank Sinatra’s BrushedChrome Zippo lighter would be incrediblyvaluable IF the ownership is documented bypictures, written letters mentioning the lighter,or a purchase receipt.

Finally, a word of advice, if I may…today’sZippo lighters are tomorrow’s collectible. Don’tfocus too much on the ‘Holy Grail’ (that lost1933 in mint condition); instead collect piecesthat appeal to you, your life, and personaltaste, and create memories with that specialZippo lighter you always carry with you. Mymost valuable Zippo lighters wouldn’t turnheads at the Zippo Swap Meets,but I wouldn’t sell them forany amount of money. It’sthe history those lighters

and I share, wherewe’ve been andthe memories theyrekindle, that

makes themtrulyvaluable.


By Earle MillerStudioShowroom.comZippo Click Member

Earle Miller gives Andrea Bean information about the sterlingsilver Zippo lighter with a map of Japan that belongs to her

husband, Paul at the Click Together in Watkins Glen lastyear. The lighter was a graduation gift to Paul from his father.

Heritage Collection

The third release of the Zippo HeritageSeries honors Zippo’s first factorylocated on the second floor of theRickerson and Pryde building inBradford. This is one of the mostsignificant landmarks in Zippo’s 74-year history.

In 1933, Zippo founder George G.Blaisdell rented Zippo’s first factory for$10 a month. Three employees workedin the factory including Mr. Blaisdell,who also managed sales ofthe lighter.

This limited edition setfeatures an intricatelydetailed 3-dimensionalShelia’s® wood replica of theRickerson and Pryde building,which frames an equallydetailed Zippo pocket lighter depicting aportion of thestructure. Each lighterand replica building intheset is numbered andlimited to 1,500 sets.

Earle Miller and JohnCinelli, Zippo retailersfrom The Studio®,located in Lost River,WV, conceptualizedthe Zippo HeritageSeries in 2002. Theduo commissioned

The front of the replica beautifully details Zippo’s first factory. The back features information on the building and its historic significance to Zippo.


By Larry Visbisky

Shelia Thompson, designer of threedimensional wood building architecturalminiatures to create and produce thestructures for the Zippo Heritage Seriesover a ten-year period. The first twocollectibles were the Philo BlaisdellHouse and the former Bradford CountryClub building.

The Zippo Heritage Series is available atthe Zippo/Case Visitors Center andStudioShowroom.com.

The lighter graphics feature the Zipposign from the multi-paned windowwhich has become an iconic symbolfrom Zippo’s early days.

Collector Profile


By Samantha Cibula

ew Zealand native Paul Fleming has been an artist his wholelife. He began to study and practice the art of calligraphy at 14.When he was 20 he progressed into engraving, and by 34 hewas learning the art of sandblasting. Paul is a proven craftsman,freethinker, and now a newly recognized Zippo artist.

Paul first fell in love with Zippo windproof lighters years ago whenhe received a slim scrimshaw Zippo lighter from a friend. It wasn’tlong after he encountered his first Zippo lighter that he found outZippo had already manufactured over 300 million lighters. Hethen decided that Zippo lighters were a special product andwanted one with a design that nobody else would have. Hedecided to dismantle the plates that were on his slim scrimshaw lighterand put on black anodized ones. He then engraved his first originalartwork onto a Zippo windproof lighter. Today Paul is an approvedZippo artist/engraver selling his original one-of-a-kind pieces of artworkon Zippo lighters.

You might have seen Paul’s work at the Zippo/Case InternationalSwap Meet 2004. He displayed his unique lighters, explained tocollectors his passions for the product and art, and sold his designsat his table. His unique pieces are available at a store located atShop 9 Chancery Lane, 120 Gloucester Street, CentralChristchurch, New Zealand, or online at freespirit.net.nz.

“Reactions from people at Swap Meet were incredible…I hadpeople leaving the stand in tears,” said Paul. “People could notbelieve what I was doing.”

Paul has never duplicated a design so each piece istruly unique to the person who purchases it. Paul’sdesigns include engraving and sandblasting.

“My designs come naturally… most of them justhappen,” said Paul.

Some of his designs include uplifting quotes or imagesbased on what he sees, reads, and experiences. Hiswork is also influenced by South Pacific designcalligraphy. Paul presented Zippo with the engravedglass piece to the right in January 2003.

Paul’s latest goal is to help promote Zippo on aworldwide basis. He would like to educate people onthe history and quality of Zippo.

N

Paul Fleming


Zippo in Other Forms

Reflections in aZippo byPhilip BurkeAcclaimed pop artist Philip Burkeexecutes in oils on enormous five-to-six foot canvases. Burke takeswell-known faces and seeminglytwists them inside out.

In honor of Zippo’s 65thAnniversary, Burke painted a self-portrait reflected in a Zippolighter.

Zippo by CesarA unique compression sculpture of 800 Zippo lightersby French master sculptor Cesar was presented at thegrand opening of the Zippo/Case Visitors Center in

1997 and remains on prominent display in themuseum.

Cesar’s compression art reflects the progress andindustry of the 20th century. As a worldwide cult icon,the Zippo windproof lighter was a natural medium for

his creative hands.

Zippo Buildings by Richard Wallich

Acclaimed impressionist Richard Wallichcreated a vivid, colorful collage of the

Zippo buildings and donated the originalpainting to the 1998 Zippo/Case

International Swap Meet Auction. Wallichhas also created an exclusive series of

Zippo lighters.

Inlaid Wood Picture ofZippo Lighter by

Giovanni CocciarficcoUsing 21 different types of wood, Giovanni Cocciarficco

fashioned a picture of a Zippo lighter. The lighter issurrounded by borders made of different woods, and is

decorated with a complex pattern featuring multiplewoods and colors.

A rtBy Marty Ours

From the archives: This magazine ad was one of many cartoon-themed Zippo ads which ran before and during WWII.The drawing was designed to add a little humor to the serious mood of the day. It is an early example of the art of Zippo.

ZC-M05-3

zippo click magazine 3_2005

Documents

fake zippo lighter

tomake zippo

zippo treasures

art of zippo

zippo clickmember

zippo japandesktop calendar

zippo executive diary

the2006 zippo executivediary