1870's COUNTERTOP FIGURAL CIGAR LIGHTER CIVIL WAR SOLDIER SALOON CIGAR LIGHTER
Very rare and wonderful, ca1870s Figural Countertop Cigar Lighter in the form of a Civil War Soldier. This fantastic oil fueled Cigar Lighter measures approx.
6 1/2 tall and 3 1/2 in diameter at the base. The handsome, young Soldier wears a frock coat, a kepi and calf high boots.He stands proudly at the center of a round base with right hand behind his back and left hand at his hip. The Lighter is cast in a lead alloy metal - heavier and more dense than spelter - closer to pewter in composition. The detail of the casting is wonderful and the overall look is simply stunning. While we at Wallnut's Antiques do not have extensive, personal collections, one of the few things we do collect are these wonderful, Countertop Figural Cigar Lighters.
The criteria we (and others who cherish this little beauties) is that the Lighter be 5" to 9" and be of the "cigar in mouth" type. This type of lighter is filled with fuel through the top - in this case the Soldier's Kepi is hinged and opens to reveal the hollow interior. A wick was drawn through the thin "cigar" in the figure's mouth and the end of the wick was lit providing a long burning flame to be used to light the cigars of patrons in a Saloon, Barroom or Tobacco Shop.
The lighter is in very good condition with no breaks, cracks, or damage of any kind. It features a rich and warm, age appropriate surface patina with some minimal, spots of light surface oxidation.
The Lighter retains a significant amount of the original coloring to the Soldier's face and boots as can be seen in the scans below. There is a very well done, professional repair to the hinge that attaches the hat to the head of the Cigar Lighter and the "cigar in mouth" wick tube is somewhat truncated. This type of Figural Countertop Cigar Lighter would have graced the Bar in a 19th century Saloon or the Counter of a 19th century Tobacconist. It is a wonderful example of this type of Figural Cigar Lighter and is pictured in the Terranova Reference Book Antique Cigar Cutters & Lighters. This fantastic Figural Cigar Lighter is offered here, as always, with no reserve and the hope that it attracts the serious attention it deserves.
The item "1870's COUNTERTOP FIGURAL CIGAR LIGHTER CIVIL WAR SOLDIER SALOON CIGAR LIGHTER" is in sale since Friday, March 04, 2016. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Tobacciana\Cigars\Lighters". The seller is "walnutts" and is located in Brewster, Massachusetts. This item can be shipped worldwide.