Flaminaire Gentry Table Lighter, 1946

A Superb & Rare Flaminaire Gentry Table Lighter. Made from silver plate, with a lovely brown leather cover and tall ship motif to the front, the makers mark (Fonctionne au Butagaz Flaminaire Mis en service le Brevete France & Stranger Quercia Paris Made in France). C1946

The Flaminaire Gentry Desk/Table Lighter was the first gas lighter in the world to be sold commercially. The manufacturing started in Paris, France in 1947 and lasted till 1951. The lighter itself was presented to the wide audience at the Hotel Crillon in Paris on 19th of June 1947.

The Gentry lighter was based on Pingeot patent dated March 21, 1935 which was sold to Marcel Quercia. After the II World War M. Quercia together with the Shell corporation started to refine and manufacture the idea of Pingeot. Soon the Butabloc lighter was born, so named to identify the lighter butane gas refill system which was patented in France in 1946.

This is a fantastic example of the famous Flaminaire Gentry lighter, is in original condition, it has not been checked if it still works, most collectors would refurbish or keep as is, this rare lighter would make a great addition to any collection, and being larger than a standard lighter makes it a real collectors piece.