The Zippo story begins in the early '1930s, at the Bradlord Spark Your Interest

Country Club in Bradford, Pennsylvania. George G. Blaisdell

watched a triend fumbling to light a cumbersome Austrian- The Zippoloase Visitors
made lighter. The lighter worked well, even in the wind, but its Center houses northern
appearance was utilitarian and its use required two hands. Pennsylvania's most
visited museum, the
Mr. Blaisdell set out to refashion the Austrian liqhter into a world famous Zippo
lighter that would look good and be easy to op;rate. He Repair Clinic, and a
fabricated a rectangular case and attached the top of the retail store containing
lighter to the case with a hinge. He retained the chimney the most complete line
design which protected the flame under adverse conditions, of Zippo and Case
and one night in '1933 above a garage in Bradford, products in the world.
Pennsylvania, George G. Blaisdlll p-ushed the first insert into Visitors can browse the
the first case of what would be the first Zippo lighter. That first Zippo/Case Museum in
lighter, currently displayed at the Zippolcase lvluseum in a seltguided tour of
Bradford, was more than 450 million Zippo lighters ago. engaging, interactive kiosks and exhibits that showcase lhe
rich history of two American icons, Zippo lighters and Case
The name "Zippo" was coined by George Blaisdell as a
knives; or look on as skilled repair technicians back our
variation of the word "zipper", simply because he liked the
lifetime guarantee that "it works or we fix it freer".'
sound of it. The lirst Zippo lighters sold for $1.95 each. And,
from the very beginning, every Zippo lighter has been backed Like Zippo, W. B. Case & Sons Cutlery Company, a subsidiary
by Mr. Blaisdell's unconditional guarantee that "lt works or of Zippo since 1993, produces a legendary product, which has
we lix it lreerM." become one of the most collectible items in the world.
The Zippolcase Visitors Center is located at 1932 Zippo Drive
in Bradford, PA, ofi U.S. route 219, 10 miles south of l-86.
€e-{-eA
.k!-".*"..","-.""u)
Hours are lvlonday through Saturday, I a.m. - 5 p.m,
Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call the visitors' information line
at (888) GGB-1932, or visit Zippo.com lor information.
GtUAffi,ANHGEH
Ary Zippo pocket lighte. when rcturned to oMfactot!,
villbc put tk fit.t.1o$ ne.hahi.al.on.li on ft?" uIcharSe. When it's not on tour, visitors can see the Zippo Car, an
for w" havp t"t lo.harse a.cn! fot th" r"pait aI a
ZWo pocket liShte. regardless of aSe or cofldirion- American icon on wheels, at the Zippo/Case Visitors Center.
The linish, howete. is aot auara eed. The current Zippo Car, a replica of the 1947 original, was
This Stpruhtee Sires you specif. leqal rights and you nay made in 1997 to commemorate the 50th anniversarv of the
ako have other fishts which varj froh state to state. Other
Zippo products carry their own spe.ific warranties. Zippo product mobile.
Visit Zippo.com to
zi ppo' ;i#'iFi*Tl: ::-"' read more about
the mysterious
disappearance ot
the original Zippo Car.
Every Zippo lighter tells a story Some ol those stories - and
some of the Zippo lighters - are priceless. The collectibles
market is extremely subjective, and any given piece is worth
only whatever someone else is willing to pay for it. Although
there are Zippo lighters that have brought quite a bit of money
to the finder, collecting Zippo lighters is about fun, about
history about people. Zippo Manufacturing Company makes
no claim as to how much a single lighter, however old or in
whatever condition, is worth.
Numerous books have been published about Zippo lighters
and lighter collecting. For a current list of books, and for the
latest information about Zippo lighter collecting, visit
Zippo.com.

2
Collecting and Collectibles
Zippo windprool lighters enjoy a widespread and enviable
reputation as valuable collectibles. N4illions of Zippo lighter
fans throughout the world collect Zippo lighters to express
their interest in tattoo art, animals, sports teams, advertising
icons . . . the list of items commemorated on a Zippo lightei
is limitless. Every ship in the United States Navy has ita own
Zippo lighter, and many significant historical events have been
immortalized on the small metal collectible.
Some of Zippo's most collectible lighters are mentioned below.
Log on to Zippo.com for more information on collectible Zippo
lighters.
Collectibles of the Year
. 1992 - The first Collectible of the Year commemorated
Zippo's 60th Anniversaly with a peMer emblem on
Midnight Chrome.
. 1993
- Mndy. The classic 1930's Varga Girl look
'1937.
recalled Zippo's first national advertisement in
. 1994 - The D-Day Commemorafiye saluted the 50th
anniversary of "the longest day" with a black crackle
surtace and antiqued brass emblem patterned atter the
sleeve patch worn by the Allied troops. Four-lighter
companion seI: Allied Heroes.
. 1995 -Mysteries ol the Forest, a fourlighter set,
introduced a new Technigraphics imprinting process.
Companion lighler Jaguar and Cub at Turtle Fa s.
.1996- Zippo Salutes Pinup Girls.
Single iighter is
Joan; companion set is the Four Seasors.
. 1997 .: Zippo's 65th Anniversary Commemorative
lighter leatured an antiqued peMer emblem in the
art-deco style, recalling the era of Zippo's founding.
. 1998 - The 1998 collectible celebrated the re-creation
ot the 1947 Zippo Cal, with an antiqued pewter
emblem on a classic brushed chrome finish.
. 1999 - The l\ilillennium Edition, One Wo d, One Futurc,
represented two Zippo lirsts: the use of TVD titanium
coating and the lirst use of computer engraving on a
Collectible of the Year.
. 2OOO - Keeper ol the Flame sym'olized respect,
power, and control over man's most vital
element - lire.
. 2OO1 - Hollywooct's Leacling Light saluted Zippo with
its own Hollywood star on a new gold dust finish.
'2002 - The eleventh (and final) Collectible of the Year,
Friencls tor a Lifetime commemorated ZiDDo's
70th Anniversary.
4
Metallioues
From 1935 until 1940, Zippo decorated lighters with
special appliqu6s called metalliques. lvletalliques are
handcrafted slices of chrome-plated brass, razor-thin at Jive
one-thousandths of an inch. Some of the most famous and
familiar metalliques include Kendall Oil, two views of the
Reveler, the Scotty dog, and the 1939 World's Fair.
Table Lighters
Barcroft - Zippo's tirst table lighter, the #10 Tall Table Lighter,
was produced in limited quantities between 1938 and 1941,
and sold at retail for $7.50. Measuring 4.5 inches in height,
the #10 had an inside unit with greater than four times the luel
capacity of a conventional Zippo windproof pocket lighter. In
'1954, lollowing lour variations in size and conliguration, the
#10 was renamed the Barcroft. The Barcroft was produced
until 1979.
Lady Bradford - The elegantly curved Lady Bradford,
introduced in 1949, is the first table lighter initially produced
both with and without a base. The stylish Lady Bradford
was a recurrent prop on the set of the popular TV sitcom
I Love Lucy.
Moderne and Corinthian - In 1960, Zippo introduced the
lvloderne, a cylinder shaped table lighter and the Corinthian,
an urn shaped table lighter. The Moderne was available in
black and rhodium, satin finish rhodium, and bright finish
rhodium. The Corinthian was available in turouoise and
rhodium, bright finish rhodium, and pearlescent rhodium.
Both the Moderne and Corinthian were discontinued in 1966.
Handilile - lntroduced in 1979, Zippo combined the
unique styling oI a traditional windproof pocket lighter with an
attachable pedestal base to create the Handilite table lighter.
Lady Barbara - Launched in 1997 as part ot the 65th
Anniversary accessories collection, the Lady Barbara was
added to the Zippo line in 1998. The peMer Lady Barbara
base nested an antique silver plate lighter, which could be
easily lifted out for use or refilling.
Town & Country
Town & Country may be one of the most desirable collectors'
series in the history of the company. This deeply engraved
and multicolored series was illustrated with eight icons: the
mallard, the pheasant, the geese, the trout, the horse, the
English setter, the lily pond and the sloop or sailboat. To some
Zippo collectors and aficionados, Town & Country represents
the best of Zippo's surface treatment and lighter design.
Zippo Canada
An individually numbered silver-plated lighter, designated
as the final production run and limited to only 25,000 pieces
worldwide, signified the end of an era when Zippo Canada
ceased production in 2002, after 53 years of operation. As the
Niagara Falls, Ontario factory was the only place olher than
Bradford, PA where Zippo lighters were ever produced, lighters
with a Zippo Canada bottom stamp are highly collectible.
Black Crackle
From 1943 through the end of World War ll, Zippo's entire
production was allocated to the armed forces. Because of
a shortage of raw materials during the war, Zippo lighters of
that time were made of steel and dipped in a black protective
coating to prevent rusting, then heat treated to a crackled
black finish.
Visit Zippo.com to learn about Zippo's admirable military
service and collectible lighters commemorating military units
ano evenIS.
General Care lnstructions for
All Zippo Lighters
. Depending on the finish, your Zippo windproof lighter
might require special care to keep it looking new.
Refer to the care instructions included with every
Zippo lighter, or see care instructions on Zippo.com
for handling and cleaning of the finish. Remember,
the Iinish is not covered by our lifetime guarantee.
. For optimum performance oI every Zippo windproof
lighter, we recommend the use of only genuine Zippo
fluid and flints. For optimum perlormance of every
Zippo BLU'" butane lighter we recommend genuine
Zippo premium butane gas and flints. For all Zippo
multipurpose lighters, we recommend genuine Zippo
premium butane gas.
Care instructions and helpful tips for
Zippo wi ndprool lighters :
Removing the Insert
. Hold open lighter case by the hinge and opposing
edges.
. Using the opposite hand, remove the lighter insert from
lne case.
Fueling Instructions
. Open lighter; remove insert.
'Lift felt pad to reveal the packing material in the fuel
cnamDer.
. Saturate the packing with Zippo lighter tluid.
. Fill slowly and do not overfill.
. Fleplace the insert back into the case.
Flint lnstallation Instructions
. Open lighter; remove insert.
. Unscrew the flint spring from the bottom of the lighter
insert, taking care to hold spring and screw firmly when
screw is released.
. Remove screw and attached spring.
. Remove remaining flint from tube.
. Place new flint in tube and replace spring and screw.
'Tighten screw completely; otherwise lighter will not
close correctly.
. lf wheel binds after new flint is installed. turn the wheel
backward a few times.
Wick Trimming lnstructions
. When the wick becomes black from carbon, pull it up
carefully with pliers until the clean wick appears.
. Cut the wick even with the top of the chimney, then
straighten wick in chimney.
Wick Replacement Instructions
. Open lighter; remove insert.
. Unscrew the flint spring from the bottom of the lighter
insed, taking care to hold spring and screw tirmly when
screw is released.
. Remove lelt pad and set aside.
. Using tweezers, remove all packing from tuel chamber,
.Insert a new wick downward through chimney, pulling
through with tweezers.
'Replace packing in small pieces, interweaving the wick
between the packing.
. Replace felt pad, flint and flint spring and screw.
. Tighten screw completely; otherwise lighter will not
close correctly.
. Cut the wick even with the top of the chimney, then
straighten wick in chimney.
of lighter.
Be sure that more than 1/8" ot luel is visible (th; lot
'
numbers visible through the viewing window can serve
as a guide).
. Allow two minutes after fueling before use.
. napr""" fli" *ia"ii
notched side of cat
firmly down.
Removing vapor lock in BLU butane lighter
Vapor lock occurs when air gets inside the sealed tuel
chamber of the lighter. lt can occur if the lighter and can are
not inverted during the fueling process. To remove vapor Iock:
. Invert lighter.
. Point the lighter away from your face and any
rgnnon source.
. Carefully bleed excess air trom the tank by depressing
fill valve with tip of small screwdriver, point of scissors,
or other small tool
. Refill with Zippo premium butane luel or another
premium brand of butane.
How to send your Zippo lighter for repair
It works or we fix it lreer". We guarantee it.
For important instructions on sending your Zippo lighter
for repair, please call Zippo consumer relations, or log on
to Zippo.com and click on Fepairs.
Your lighter must be empty of any fuel or butane before
shipping. Package your windproof lighter or BLU lighter
securely in an oversized box or padded shipping bag. Include
your name, address, telephone number and email address on
a note inside the package, along with description of the
problem you are experiencing with your lighter.
Insure your package, send via a trackable method to:
Zippo Repair Clinic
1932 Zippo Drive
Bradford, PA 16701
Zippo will acknowledge receipt of your repair, if you include
your email address. Your lighter will be repaired and returned
to you in first-class mechanical working order. The finish of the
lighter is not guaranteed.
Bottom Stamp Date Codes '1984 \ \ \ '1997 Ato L Xlll

As with most collectibles, the date of manufacture of a Zippo lighter

1985 \\\ 1998 Ato L XIV
often afiects its value. VaLuable iniormation on the bottom of every 1986 €) \\ 1999 Ato L XV
Zippo lighter can help you determine its date of manufacture. l\,4osl 1986 G to L 2000 AtoL XVI
lighters labricated between 1933 and 1957 can be identified by sty e
and model and the patent or patent-pending marks.
'1987 A to L l 2OO1 @ AtoL 01

Starling In the mid 50s, date codes were starnped on the botlom. The
1988 A to L 2042 Ato L 02
originaL purpose was for quality control. The date codes have since 1989 Ato L 2OO3 AtoL rOS-
become an invaluable too for Zi00o collectors. 1990 A to L 2004 Ato L 04
1991 Ato L 2005 o AtoL
ZIPPO
(t933 - t9s4l
The appearance of ihe word "Zippo" in the
bottom stamp provides another clue to dating. 1992 A to L
vtl
VIII 2006 AtoL
05
06
There have been three major changes, as '1993 A to L 2OO7 Ato L
TPPO
(1955 - 1979)
shown in inset. From 1933 to the mid 50s the
word Zippo was stamped in block letters. The
Zippo scripi logo was deveLoped jn the late 40s
1994 A to L
1995 Ato L
IX
X
XI
2008 AtoL
2009 Ato L
07
08
09

zipp
(1980 - 2010'l
and was phased-in on the lighter bottom stamp
around 1955. In the late 70s the logo was
redesigned. lt was incorporated into the
bottom stamp in 1980. o
1996 Ato L xll 2010 Ato L
0n s0me lighters, th s n!mber was stamped in error, should have
10

been
Patent 2032695.
@ Zippo recofds ndicate an overlap 0l bottom stamp conii0urations lfom
1949-1957.

Begular Lighter ldentitication Codes @ S0me lighters produced between 1955-57 were date coded; however,
specillcs remain unclear
1933 Patent Pending @ ln I979 an error was made in the date code. one of the s ash marks was
removed lrom the eft of the Zippo trademark instead of be ng removed
1937 - c.1950 Patent 2032695 /
from the r 0ht; thus the cod€ read: //. This date code error was c0rrected
1942 - 1946 Black Crackle, Patent 203695. O w thin the sarne year to read: // /

c.1950'c.1957@ Patenl2517191
te, Eflective July 1 1986 ihe dot and slash system was r€placed by year /
m0nth code. Year is cOded by Roman numeral; etter designaies month
c.1950 - c.1957 @ Patent 25171g1wiih patent pending (A=January B=February, etc.)
o with fning
Beg in 2001, the Romaf num€rals indicating the
r'r!mbers c0ffesp0nding t0 the last 0its of
d
year were r€placed
the year ol manulacture.

1958 Patent Pending 1971 tl o Il f Zippo

Tlre
e sa
rst
_e
BLUrM butane cases were made 2005.
for-at as 'egular wrn0pro0' q_te.s.
n The date c0de s

1972 I I

1959 1973 I

1960 1974 Slim Lighter ldentification Codes

1961 1975 Slim lighters were first introduced in 1956, with a flat bottom
1962 1976 and no date code. The first markings were added in '1957 and
1963 1977
overlapped into 1958. From 1 957- 1965 the code configuration
on the slim lighters ditfered from the regular lighters. From
1964 1978 1966 on, the configuration has been the same.
1e79 @
1966 Ittl Itl 1957 '1961

1967 Itl 1980 1958 1962

1968 Il 1981 '1963
tt! 1982 1959 1964
'1970 1983 1960 1965

'10
Zippo BLUril butane lighter
In 2005, Zippo began production of the Zippo BLU'" premium

ffi
butane gas lighter.

Many of the iconic characteristics of the classic Zippo

windproof lighter are carried over in the Zippo BLU lighter,
including the trademark flint wheel ignition system, rugged
metal construction, hinged lid, one-hand operation and the 200
151 205
distinctive 'click'. In addition, the Zippo BLU butane lighter Spectrum Brushed Satin Chrome
leatures sieek and contemporary designs, a signature "Z" Chrome
patterned chimney, large fuel tank and quick refilling options.

The butane-fueled Zippo BLU lighter delivers a hot,

consistent, clean-burning blue flame, unlike the traditional
windproof lighter which sports a yellow llame fueled by liquid
lighter fluid. lvlade entirely in the United States, the product
uses a patented two-stage burner technology that creates
the blue Ilame.

207 221.540 230

Street Chrome Green Matte Brushed
Chrome

30039 30027 30001 239.538 250 350

High Polish Dusted Vertical Navy lvlatte High Polish High Polish
Chrome Chrome Chrome Chrome Chrome

I
$-l
E It
I
I
3801 3800 352 355 359
1.9o2 4.5 oz High Polish High Polish High Polish
Butane Gas Butane Gas Chrome Chrome Chrome
4Cl 769 1610 20442 208s0 20454
Bealtre€ Hardwoods@ Black lce@ High Polish Black Matte High Polish Brushed Brass
Chrome Chrome

1935 't
941 20331 20904 21027 21032

t
Brushed Brushed Brushed High,PolishChrome Spectrum Moss Green
Chrome Chrome Chrome l\ilatte
PBXSTAL

Gr

20446
Sapphire
I
-
-
-
20492
Black lce@
I
20493
SDectrum
21035
Street Chrome
21055
Sapphire
21061
Candy Apple
Red

20777 20831 20836 21067 21193 21195

High Polish Pink Matte High Polish Black Matte Street Chrome Toffee
Chrome 6zoGPbybyPu@Y3ndF3s|8ed Chrome
 21204 24007 24011 24321 24328 24330
Black l\ilatte High Polish High Polish Street Chrome High Polish Black Matte
@0@PB&JDeloi'E.A]FllhsB*gryd'
Chrome Chrome Chrome

@
m5

w
@
24016 24047 24068 24331 24335 24338
Street Chrome High Polish Brushed Licorice Satin Chrome Street Chrome
Chrome Chrome

24082 24096 24150 24339 24346 24354

Candy Apple Red Black lce@ Black l\ilatte Satin Chrome Street Chrome Street Chrome
chldoMuelgred,adgi'E{e

24196 24268 24308 24355 24375 24383

High Polish Satin Chrome Candy Raspberry Brushed Brushed High Polish
Chrome Chrome Chrome Chrome
d|4GdbyFdMdd
 ffi
24457
Brushed
24459
High Polish
ffi
24478
Satin Chrome
Chrome Chrome
i;$HrAL

24479 24482 24446 121202 '121203 121275 121290

Satin Chrome Black lce@ High Polish Pink Sea Foam Cabernet Pearl
Chrome
i;it1srAt-
I
I H
275 250JD.427 254JD.428 Wick Card
T
3801
T
-
3800

t
'1.9 oz
Brushed High Polish Chrome High Po ish Brass Zippo Wick 4.5 oz
Chrome Butane Gas Butane Gas

2OOPL
Brushed Chrome
Pipe Lighter
18
28OMAB
Brushed
Chrome
142226
Individual Lighter
Display Stand
6FD
Zippo Flint
6/dispenser
4FC
4 oz. Lighter
Fluid
I
12FC
12 oz. Lighter
Fluid