We have an extensive offering of tobacciana in this auction, including over 25 vintage lighters. Though smoking has largely fallen out of favour in the 21st Century, the appeal of old lighters, ashtrays, pipes and cigar cutters remains.It is hard to believe that at one time, a lighter was considered cutting edge technology! The first modern lighter was invented in 1823, and known as “Dobereiner’s Lamp”. Selling over a million units, it revolutionized fire lighting. In 1903 an Austrian chemist patented ferrocerium. Often incorrectly referred to as “flint”, it was an affordable alloy that, when struck, produced sparks, paving the way for smaller pocket size lighters. The Zippo – named because its creator liked the sound of the new fangled invention, the zipper – was created in 1932, and became part of the lore of the 20th C, with cultural references to many a Hollywood movie, to the time honored tradition of holding up your lighter during a concert, to the Vietnam war, where many American soldiers created a type of trench art out of their lighters, etching and personalizing the cases ( see lot 334).Their motto “It Works or We Fix it Free” ensured its place as a staple in people’s pockets, until Cricket invented the disposable lighter in 1961. Lot 39, an extremely rare, mid 18th C British tinder pistol, is our oldest lighter example. Complete with candle holder on the left side, and an enclosed compartment on the right, for storing the tinder. Using a flintlock mechanism, and intended as a fire starter, the flint would strike a spark igniting the tinder in the pan below – usually consisting of very dry and easily combustible material such as fine threads of cotton. Once the tinder ignited and was burning well, it would be tipped into a laid fire to set it ablaze. Also used to light candles, it was often referred to as a “Strike A Light’. These were highly prized lighters, owned by the wealthy, and often custom converted from standard pocket pistols by gunsmiths. A favourite is the antique French pewter cigar lighter in the shape of a dog’s head. Circa 19thC, this little beauty has the wick coming through the dog’s mouth, with the bottom length in the fuel cannister underneath. From antique lighters to marvels of mid century design, to the Japanese novelty lighters produced in Japan’s post war manufacturing boom, it truly is a comprehensive selection highlighting the humble lighter!
We also have several antique scientific instruments on offer. An antique anemometer (lot 138), or wind meter, designed for measuring windspeed, is a solidly engineered, functioning, piece of scientific history. Made by “Queen & Co.” in Philadelphia in the late 19th/early 20th Century it is a curiousity, but beautiful to look at and hold, with a solid brass casing and beveled glass face. The anemometer was invented in 1450, and used throughout the centuries, to modern times, when the innovative sonic anemometer was developed in 1994 by Dr. Andreas Pflitsch. As well as for weather forecasting and early aviation and maritime navigation, these instruments were also used in mines, where the ability to calculate air flow at various depths was essential to miner safety, doubtless saving countless lives.
The early 20th C bargraph (lot 29), made in England by Negretti and Zamera, features a brass recording drum and aneroid bellows.A huge leap forward in weather forecasting from the traditional aneroid barometer, its recording function enabled weather forecasters to analyze records of barometric pressure, rather than just the current snapshot in time available from traditional barometers. The aneroid sensors shrink and expand with atmospheric pressure, moving the trace, or pen at the end of the arm, marking the paper on the drum as it slowly rotates, typically on a 7 day cycle.
Lots 100 to 103 are a series of hand made models made by Albert Ward. A long time admirer of Thomas Edision and his work, he painstakingly reproduced these models to show the different stages of development of electric generation by the Edison Company. These Dyanmos were a marvel of efficiency, pioneering commercial electric power and ushering in the era of mass electrification. Originally produced at the Edison Machine Works in Menlo Park, demand soon necessitated a move to Shenectady, New York, where both the massive dynamos used in central generating stations and smaller, industrial generators were produced. Edison Machine Works merged into the Edison General Electric Company in 1889, and then consolidated with Thomson Houston to form the General Electric Co., which we are familiar with today.
Along with these collectibles, we have many decorative and practical items for the home, including some truly beautiful Italian made espresso or Moka pots, by Guido Bergna and Bialetti (lots 166 & 17)) and a stunning polished brass “Cimbali” decorative espresso machine case (lot 5), which would look amazing in any barrista’s home or cafe! Interesting barware includes retro chrome cocktail shakers, and a Rolls Royce table top bar (lot 161) designed to look like the grille of a Rolls, as well as an antique tantalus (lot 162) and a vintage mechanical device for decanting wine bottles. A large, hand carved Chinese stone floral centrepiece, as well as 2 very heavy gilded brass and enamel Limoges decorator plates (lots 171 & 172), and a very large “Rahpsody” art glass bowl by Frantisek Zemek (lot 184), are just a few of the many decorative items up for bidding.
Come and spend some time previewing these remarkable pieces. We would love to see you!
Call John at 416-453-0920 to set up an appointment.
