Silent Flame Gas Meter

This Silent Flame model is a presentation or commemorative item for the George Wilson gas meter company (gasmeterfabriek).

Based on the markings on the bottom, it appears to be celebrating his 75 years (1878 to 1953).

George Wilson founded his gas meter company in England in 1903. George Wilson Industries is still a thriving company, producing gas meters and regulators throughout the European market.

This lighter was probably made in 1953.

French Silent Flame Hawk Lighter

This is a rare French silent flame lighter with a hawk figure (I think) in a gold-tone finish.

Dunhill Silent Flame Book Lighter

This book-shaped lighter is one of the rarest of the Dunhill silent flame table lighters.

It is a book made of pewter (I think) that opens to reveal two cedar-lined cigarette compartments. The lighter is 6-1/2" tall, 5" wide, and 1-1/4" thick.

On the top side of the book near the wand opening, there is a small semi-circular indent on the edge. The wand must rest in this semi-circular area and then make contact with metal in the book's interior to ignite the heating coil at the end of the wand and produce a flame.

French Silent Flame Squirrel Lighter

This is a rare French silent flame lighter with a squirrel figure in a bronze-like finish.

French Silent Flame Fish Lighter

This is a rare French silent flame lighter with a fish figure in a bronze-like finish.

French Silent Flame Birds Lighter

This is a rare French silent flame lighter with a pair of birds in a bronze-like finish.

I believe similar models exist with figures of a squirrel, rooster, bird with wings spread, and nude female.

French Silent Flame Bird Lighter

This unusual silent flame lighter is a figure of a bird perched on a branch in a greened-bronze finish.

It is made by Rolux of France, most likely circa early 1930s.

The overall height of the lighter is almost 8" tall. The detailed bird figure itself is over 6" tall.

The tree stump on which the bird is perched is stamped with the name "Jamar."

Silent Flame Ronrico Rum Lighter

This Silent Flame lighter is in the shape of a liquor bottle. The plaque reads "Ronrico, $-A-Year Club, 1940".

It may have been a service award or something similar given to Ronrico employees or distributors.

Silent Flame Fitzgibbons

This Silent Flame model is an advertisement or promotion item for Fitzgibbons. I am guessing that it may be for the Fitzgibbons Boiler Company of New York (and the chrome figure may, therefore, depict a boiler or furnace).

It was probably made in the 1940s.

Silent Flame Superman

This is likely the rarest of the Silent Flame models.

Mounted on the back of the bakelite base is a small rectangular plastic plaque that reads "Compliments of the Independent News Co."

It was probably made in the 1940s.

Silent Flame Monorail

This rare Silent Flame lighter advertises the American Monorail Company of Cleveland, Ohio.

The chrome figure depicts a monorail wheel assembly.

Silent Flame WBAL Radio Figure

This rare Silent Flame lighter advertises (or promotes) a Baltimore radio station with the call letters WBAL.

I am told by other Silent Flame collectors that other rare advertising models were produced.

Silent Flame Sun Tower

This is one of the more difficult Silent Flame lighters to locate. It is the San Francisco Sun Tower model--probably made around 1950.

Silent Flame Statue of Liberty

This is one of the harder-to-find Silent Flame lighters, probably from the late 1940s or early 1950s.

I don't know any history of these lighters--why some models are common and some are almost non-existent.

Silent Flame Cylinder Lighters

These are Silent Flame cylinder-shaped table lighters. One is red with an image of an Airplane on the side. The other one is ivory with an image of a bird.

Silent Flame Cylinder with Dog Image

These are Silent Flame cylinder-shaped table lighters with a decal of an Airedale dog. Shown are a black, ivory, and red. (I assume there are other colors.)

Silent Flame Cylinder with Horse Image

This is a Silent Flame cylinder-shaped table lighter with a horse decal.

Silent Flame Silverplate Cylinder

The cylinder model was made in several enamel finishes, but this version, in silverplate and with the ornamental bead work at the top and bottom of the cylinder, is uncommon.

Even the knob on the wand is silverplate.

Silent Flame Lighter / Ro-Tray Leather Cigarette Dispenser

Although not one of the most attractive of the Dunhill Silent Flame models, it is one of the more uncommon models.

The Silent Flame lighter insert fits into a Ro-Tray circular cigarette dispenser. You rotate the lid and a cigarette is dispensed through the hole opening on the lid.

Silent Flame 1939 New York World's Fair

These are two variations (one small and one large) of the 1939 New York world's fair silent flame model.

Both models feature images of the Trylon and Perisphere (the symbols of the fair).

Silent Flame Fan Dancer

These are the Parker and Dunhill versions of the fan dancer (or Sally Rand) model.

A fellow silent flame collector called my attention to the difference between the Parker and Dunhill versions. The Parker version shows the figure with a square base. In contrast, the Dunhill version shows the figure with a round base.

The Parker silent flame fan dancer model came in 3 variations: chrome figure on a black base, chrome figure on a brown base, and gold figure on a brown base with gold rails. The Dunhill silent flame dancer model also came in a copper finish on a brown base.

Silent Flame Fan Dancer

This is another version of the fan dancer. It is made by Amico (in Japan) and called a Hot Spot. It probably dates to the 1950s.

Silent Flame Lady Holding Ball

These are two versions of the same model: one with a copper finish, the other with a chrome finish.

Silent Flame Deco Veil Dancer

These are two versions of the same model: one with a copper finish, the other with a chrome finish.

Silent Flame Deco Veil Dancer

This is a Silent Flame lighter with an art deco nude figure.

It is similar to the model above except this figure has one leg bent slightly at the knee.

Silent Flame Candle Lighter

This is the Silent Flame candle table lighter. It has a bronzed-finish body with an art deco curved base. It is about 8 inches tall.

The candle mechanism works uses batteries. To light the wick, you press a small button at the tip of the candle to activate the heating coil. This mechanism was first invented in 1937 by Irving Florman of New York as a newer version of his 1935 Silent Flame model.

Silent Flame Triangular (3-Column)

These are two versions of the silent flame triangular (or 3-column) model. One has a chrome finish, the other has a brass finish.

I am told that this model also comes in other finishes (including sterling silver, gold-plated, and black).

Dunhill Silent Flame Square Box

This Silent Flame lighter is a decorative square shape (as opposed to some of the figural models).

Silent Flame Column

This Silent Flame lighter is a simple chrome and enamel column (as opposed to some of the figural models).

Silent Flame Deco Oval Base

This is an uncommon Silent Flame model, with a somewhat plain oval shape.

I think it was manufactured in two or three different color combinations.

Silent Flame Scotty dog

Shown are two version of the Scotty dog: one with a brown base and bronze figure, the other with a black base and silver figure.

Silent Flame Lighters

From left to right -- Scotty dog, sailboat, and airplane.

Silent Flame Lighter

From left to right -- Ashtray model, and bakelite Cigarette Box model.

Arrow Nude Table Lighter

Although not a silent flame lighter, this lighter uses the same method for igniting the wick at the end of the wand. I suspect it was made in the late 1940s or early 1950s.

Several variations of this model exist: some have different colors of plastic bases, chrome or bronze finishes on the nude, and some figures have a plastic grass skirt that opens. I believe there is also a male Roman discus figure.

Mystic Torch (Negbaur) Table Lighter

Although not a silent flame lighter, this lighter uses the same method for igniting the wick at the end of the wand. I suspect it was made in the late 1940s or early 1950s.

This lighter was a gift from another lighter collector.