1940s
Selling Made Simple
Professional Buyers Since 2008
A HISTORICAL GUIDE TO ZIPPO LIGHTER BOXES
By Jon Warren. Last updated:
We will pay $250.00 for the lighter as shown above (unfired in box with paper)!
Collectors today are meticulous in their pursuit of rare Zippo lighters. And a big part of this pursuit is to get authentic, matching and date correct boxes to go with their rare
Zippos. In some cases, a Zippo lighter box can be worth as much as the Zippo that goes with it! (this is very rare, most boxes are no big deal).
So, in the true spirit of OCD over-analysis, we herewith attempt to arrange vintage Zippo Lighter boxes in a somewhat chronological order. This is a work in progress,
with new information being added as true experts contact us and tell us where we went wrong (thanks!). Email jon@2ndmarkets.com if you want to share information.
GOT ZIPPO LIGHTERS FOR SALE? We are the top buyer of Zippo Lighter Collections!
Sell us your Zippo Lighter Collection! CLICK HERE or call 1.833.800.SOLD (7653).
ZIPPO LIGHTER BOXES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER (more or less!)
Early 1940s Red Box
This early 1940s (1940-1943?) red box is extremely rare. We have not seen this box associated with any 1930s Zippo lighters at this point in our research.
1940s White Box for Black Crackle Zippo lighters
The rare and beautiful art deco white boxes for the black crackle Zippo lighters of the early 1940s are quite unique.
Late 1940s to 1949 or 1950 Blue Zippo Box
We begin to see this box on some military issues starting in 1945 and other promotional Zippo lighters that have been positively dated to 1949 and 1950. We do not see 1951-1957 Zippo lighters in this type of box typically.
1950s
The classic red and white candy-striped box with the old Zippo logo is the correct box for all 1951-1957 Zippo lighters with the 2517191 patent number.
1950s Gold-Fill Zippo
The clam shell jewelry box was used for the gold-filled Zippos of the 1950s.
1950s Slim Zippo
The greenish blue striped box was used for the 1950s slim lighters.
1960s
The classic white and red box from the 1960s still has the old Zippo logo. (shown) a 1969 Hudson Zippo in original box with guarantee paper.
1970s
The 1970s Zippo lighters still made use of the white and red box from the 1960s, but transitioned to a different box sometime during this decade (research still ongoing).
1970s Gold Box
The 1970s gold boxes seem to have been used exclusively for the 1970s brass Zippo lighters. Note the old logo on the box.(research still ongoing).
1980s
We have observed a variety of boxes for 1980s Zippo lighters. The white and red box with the new Zippo logo is the one we see most often.
1990s
1990s lighters came in a variety of boxes. This black box with the red-dot letter I is the most common.
1990s-2000s Modern Tin Box
During the 1990s, and into the 2000s, this brushed aluminum tin box was used. We are still researching when these were first introduced..
2000s
During the 2000s, a wide variety of boxes have been used, but this black 8-dot box seems to be the most common.
Modern Black Plastic Clamshell Case
