For 75 years, Zippo has been synonymous with lighters in America. This is because it has brought much innovation to the lighter industry. The common features include the hinged lid that effectively turns off the flame, the improved chimney that allows the flame to stay even on windy situations, the better design of the fuel tank adding to its efficiency, and the tough metal casing allowing ease of use, which also allows various engravings to be created on the surface.
The design of Zippo lighters hasn’t changed much throughout the years. Some notable redesign though include the 1938 No. 10 Tall Table Lighter (4.5 inches tall, four times the capacity of usual lighters), and the 1950 Lady Bradford Table Lighter (targeted for women).
If your partner is also a collector, giving engraved Zippo lighters are also good investment. There are an estimated 4 million collectors of engraved Zippo lighters today, and the number is still growing due to the masterful creations on the lighter’s metallic casing. Engravings usually commemorate an important historical event or celebrating a generation. And even if collecting is not your partner’s thing, engraved Zippo lighters add intangible value compared to a normal present.
Here are some engraved Zippo lighters you should add to your gift bag:
2005 Zippo 200 – These lighters were created when the company sponsored the Zippo 200 NASCAR Busch Series Race. The engraving shows the Zippo 200 logo partnered with blazing red. This is perfect for the NASCAR fans.
2004 60th Anniversary D-Day - This lighter commemorates the 60 years of the D-day Invasion at Normandy, France. There is a laser engraving of a shield (written with a 60th Anniversary) together with a bottomed stamp styled from the 1940s. The design echoes the lighters supplied to the military during the Second World War. The history encapsulated in this lighter is fitting for those who have relatives who have fought during the time.
199 Our Century – This is the last engraved Zippo lighter collectible for the 20th century. Behind the fireworks area list of the years that span the century beginning with the founding of the Zippo Company on 1932 and ending in 1999. This is perfect for everyone who has shared most of his life in the last century.
1971 Peace – Not enough words to describe this one. The emblem has been the symbol of a generation of freedom and struggle to break from conventions. Just get them and feel the love.
Of course, if these officially engraved Zippo lighters don’t fill your fancy, there’s always personalized engravers found in the Net or in your local boutiques. Just bring your slim Zippo lighter and your wildest imagination. No design is bogus enough, especially if this will delight your most cherished one.
