Why Collect Lighters? It’s Not Just a Smoker’s Hobby

From silly $2 novelty Bic lighters to high-end Dunhill’s, people collect lighters for various reasons. “Needing” a light is generally not one of them. Why do people collect them? And, why does continue to be such a hot hobby? No pun intended.

1. Variety. I’m relatively new to the hobby. However, I very quickly fell in love with it. There are so many different types, from different time periods, from all over the world. It never gets old. This makes the “hunt” interesting.

2. History. Personally, I’ve been a general collector all my life. I’ve gravitated toward the mechanical and industrial time of the early 20th century. I also love the lines art deco. I’ve been obsessed with the electric GG-1 locomotive ever since my dad took me to see it in person. Isn't she pretty??? She doesn't know if she's coming or going.

PPR GG-1, Located in Railroad Musuem of PA, Strasburg, PA

Many vintage lighter manufacturers, like Ronson, for example, hit their prime during this period. While today I don’t believe it’s has to be a smoker’s hobby to collect lighters, smoking was part of everyday life back then. I bet one or more of your grandparents smoked. Which brings me to my next point…

3. Nostalgia. There have been many times when someone wanted a specific lighter because they remember a parent or a grandparent using it. I will see in the social media groups, “Hey, I got this lighter after my grandfather passed away. It’s the only thing I have. How can I get it working again?”

I think perhaps when we are kids, our eyes gravitate to those things we cannot have or things that create a smell or sound. When I visited my grandmother, she didn’t have toys to play with. However, she had a music box with legs. It was almost like a small table. Inside there was a collection of matches. I would play the music as I sorted the matches. Of course, my parents wouldn’t allow me to “play” with matches any other time. This taboo little activity was special for my visits there. And quite relaxing too.

4. Mildly Taboo. While I was allowed to sort my Mimi’s matches, I wasn’t allowed to light the Ronson sterling silver table lighter. Nor would I be allowed to play with my father’s lighters. We grow up remembering these items as being a bit off limits. These were for "the grownups". Now that we ARE the grownups, we can have as many lighter as we want…well, or can afford.

Regardless of your reason or the type of lighters you like to collect, collecting lighters is fun. It never gets old. It also continues to surprise collectors by what they find out there.

Why do you collect lighters? Feel free to tell me in comments! I love to hear about.