Lighters have Longevity, too
Certain lighters have longevity. The longer you hold on to a lighter doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be worth more money than what you paid for it. Clicking open a lighter or picking out one in your favorite color can turn a simple act—like lighting a candle—into something special. If a five-and-dime lighter can bring a smile to your face, imagine the joy that comes from owning a piece of history. Luxury and historically significant lighters offer not just utility, but a story—and sometimes, serious value.
You won’t find vintage lighters worth thousands in your average drugstore, but look a little closer in thrift shops or estate sales, and you might stumble upon a hidden gem.
Lighters are one of those practical collectibles—like cars or fine jewelry—that can last for decades when cared for properly. Of course, not every old lighter is valuable. Age alone doesn’t make something collectible. But lighters tied to famous figures, crafted by renowned designers, or produced in extremely limited quantities? Those can be worth a fortune.
Elvis Presley Lighter
Elvis Presley’s Lighter
Elvis Presley wasn’t called the King of Rock and Roll for nothing—his influence on music and pop culture still echoes through the decades. And when someone with that kind of legacy leaves behind personal items, even something as small as a lighter, it can carry serious value. Heritage Auctions once sold a slim, diamond-patterned lighter that Elvis reportedly gifted to a former maid when she left his employment in the 1960s. Slim lighters were all the rage back then, but this one’s connection to Presley transformed it from a stylish accessory into a piece of rock history.
Other than belonging to Elvis, this lighter isn’t that special. It’s not made out of expensive materials or from a reputable brand. For all intents and purposes, it’s just a lighter. But, anything that’s been touched by the rich and famous is desirable. It’s why this simple lighter sold for more than $4,600 in 2012.
Dunhill Aquarium Lighters
Dunhill is one of the biggest names in the lighter world, known for pushing the boundaries of design and innovation throughout the 20th century. One of their rarest and most visually striking collections is the aquarium lighter series, handmade between 1950 and 1959. These lighters weren’t just functional—they were miniature works of art. Each one was designed and crafted by Ben Shillingford, and no two are exactly alike. With hand-painted panels that mimic the look of peering into a serene aquarium, these lighters are true one-of-a-kind collectibles.
Despite being rare, a surprising number still surface online. One is currently listed on 1stDibs for $16,000, and a pair recently sold at a Christie’s auction for nearly $7,000. Their unique craftsmanship, limited production, and high-end branding make them some of the most desirable vintage lighters out there.
When browsing through old lighters, you want to look for items that are a limited edition or particularly rare. This means that you have to have a little familiarity with the key lighter manufacturers over the years. But, if you’re unsure, you can always look for similar lighters online to see how much they’ve sold for in the past and if it’s up to snuff with a rare price tag.
1934 Signed Baseball Lighter
Sports memorabilia collectors are a huge segment of the collections market, and as things like sports trading cards prove, they’ve got deep
Babe Ruth Signed Lighter
pockets.
One of the more unusual intersections between lighter collecting and the sports world is the 1934 signed baseball lighter, created to commemorate the legendary Japan Tour. The standout signature on these pieces? None other than Babe Ruth, the iconic Yankees outfielder. These lighters are a slice of international baseball history and a rare example of sports memorabilia fused with functional design.
Several have surfaced at auction in recent years, and their final price comes down to one key factor: condition. A well-preserved example, with crisp, legible signatures, fetched $8,365. Another, with fading autographs and visible wear, sold for just $2,640. It’s a clear reminder that in the world of collectible lighters, even when two items share the same origin, condition can make all the difference in value.
Always consider a lighter’s condition. The better preserved it is, the more valuable it’s going to be.
Van Cleef & Arpels Matching Lighter and Cigarette Holder
There’s nothing that makes the risks that come with smoking look more glamorous than seeing someone smoking a cigarette out of the end of a delicate cigarette holder like they were born to be in a noir film. While smoking has dramatically decreased in popularity since the 2000s, it used to be all the rage. And the social elite wouldn’t settle for a simple Zippo lighter; no, they had to have the best of the best.
Famous jewelers like Cartier made luxury lighters, and they made lighter cases out of precious metals and precious/semi-precious stones. The more expensive the materials that were used to make them, the more valuable they are. So, it makes sense that this matching set of a tortoiseshell cigarette holder and a sapphire cigarette lighter from the 1930’s made by Van Cleef & Arpels sold for about $5,000 in a Sotheby’s auction.
Look for a luxury brand’s signature, stamp, or logo on the lighter, as this immediately increases its price.
1933 Zippo Lighter
Zippo Satin Chrome Windproof Lighter In Gift Box
If you need a reliable lighter, look no further than the Zippo. A symbol of durability and American design, this sturdy, reusable lighter has been a staple since the 1930s—and still hangs from grocery store checkout displays to this day. But while most Zippos are everyday items, some are far from ordinary.
One of the most expensive Zippos ever sold was a 1933 original, from the company’s very first year of production. Zippo auctioned it off in 2007 to mark their 75th anniversary, and it fetched an impressive $37,000. It wasn’t just the age that drove up the price—this particular lighter was in exceptional condition and had clear, traceable provenance. For collectors, that combination of history, authenticity, and preservation is pure gold.
Provenance is how people track who owned an object over time, and knowing exactly whose hands it passed through makes it really valuable to both collectors and archivists.
Gene Allen’s 1960s Lighter
Gene Allen was the director of Audrey Hepburn’s hit film, My Fair Lady. As a wrap gift, Allen commissioned a gold lighter with the film’s name etched into the top. Much like Elvis’s lighter, this one’s significance comes from its connection to the renowned actress. Because of this connection, the lighter managed to sell for over $26,000 in a Christie’s auction. It’s quite remarkable that it could pull that much money, especially when Christie’s only projected its worth to be around $10,000.
Average collectibles will jump in price when someone famous touched or owned them. Also, don’t use professional estimated values as the be all and end all; the great determining factor is who shows up in the audience to buy them, and how much they’re willing to spend.
Faberge Chimpanzee Table Lighter
Table lighters aren’t something you come across every day anymore. Unlike pocket lighters, these are
Faberge Silver Table Chimpanzee Lighter
larger, stand-alone pieces—often sculptural—that double as functional home décor. Back in the day, they were meant to be left out, blending seamlessly with a room’s aesthetic while still serving a practical purpose.
One of the most jaw-dropping examples? A sterling silver table lighter shaped like a standing chimpanzee, created by none other than legendary Russian jeweler Fabergé. Known for their exquisite craftsmanship (yes, the same Fabergé behind those famously opulent eggs), this piece sold for just over $200,000 at a Christie’s auction. When luxury design meets rare functionality, you get more than a lighter—you get a masterpiece.
If you can find pieces made by renowned artisans, especially when it’s not something they’re known for making, you can expect them to be worth quite a bit.
Vintage Lighters Worth Money
Not every vintage lighter will fund your retirement, but the ones that do tend to come from luxury brands or carry a connection to someone famous. While it might not be recommended to light up your American Spirits with a Cartier lighter from the 1950s… technically, no one’s stopping you.
So go ahead—dust off those old-school lighters, strike a flame, and throw a little caution (and maybe some common sense) to the wind. After all, even the smallest spark can come with a big story.
