My name is George Gordon. I have been collecting Lighters, watches and other rarities for most of My life. That’s the better part of 66 years now. I may just have the largest collection of lighters in the world. Not to mention some of the most rare, undoubtedly. I have written three books on the subject, published magazines, formed and been member in many lighter foundations, and have bought and sold more than most could imaging. It is more than a hobby or profession. It is a passion. My loved ones have at times rolled their eyes when I walk in with just one more lighter. My fiancee’ doesn’t even ask any longer what I want when it comes time for a gift, though she still has to ask me to select one for her to purchase. . I still get pleasure of seeing the look on someones’s face when they walk into My home, see the maze of beautiful glass cabinets that contain thousands and thousands and thousands of lighters. They just stare and turn to me, and ask ” What on earth?” I guess some people just don’t get it.
I started collecting lighters in 1971. I walked into a shop in NYC, 61 Lexington Avenue, it was. Ron was the shopkeeper, and he had a few display cases containg vintage lighters. I was spellbound. This was fascinating! Near the cases was a large sign that stated ‘Not for Sale – Private Collection’. That intrigued me to no end. Eventually we became friends, and he began to tell me how he found these lighters. He went to flea markets, estate sales, and thrift stores, antique shows and so on. This is long before the time of Amazon and Ebay. One had to work to find things like that in those days.
I did just as he said, and began to haunt every used sale and market I could find in the city. There began My adventure in the cigarette lighter world.
Not only did I find the lighters beautiful, but I was also interested in the mechanism and how they worked, repairing and use. The history of them. Who owned it and why. Where had it been? And could I acquire it…
In the 70s, I worked in my parent’s art gallery at 63-64 Lexington Ave in NYC, this was an area with a lot of passers-by. They allowed me to put out a sign in the window that stated ‘Lighters Bought, Sold and Repaired. Soon I was buying Dunhill, Ronson, Clark, Dupont, Cartier and the like. This neighborhood was full of wealthy people with many nice things. But smoking had started to be looked down upon in the city, so these folks were happy to sell these lighters they no longer used.
One day an elderly couple came into the shop, and the gentleman asked “Who is the crazy person that collects Lighters?” I jumped up and said “That would be me!” He asked if I would come by his apartment later that evening. His name was Dr. Philip Reichart, he lived at 58th and Park. He had lived there in that apartment since 1942! His wife, Happy as she was called, was very charming and gracious, served Me cookies and milk and we had great conversation. After refreshments, he asked me into his office. My jaw literally fell to the floor. There were 5 trays of Dunhill Lighters. Everything from 9KT to 18KT and 3 with watches. 127 pieces in all! I had never seen anything like it, or in this quality.
Dr. Reichart was a retired cardiologist, and had treated many famous people, including FDR! He said during his career, some people had paid him with lighters and watches. He asked how much I made each week. “$200 a week, sir.” He asked if I would like to buy his collection. I said I would love to more than anything, but there was no way I could afford such a thing.
Then to My surprise, he said I believe this collection to be worth $9450.00. Would you be willing to pay me $100 a week until your debt is cleared? Of course I said yes! We made an agreement, I gave him $100 and he let me take all of the lighters. I WAS IN HEAVEN!
I began repairing them, contacting the few collectors I knew and off I went-selling and trading this collection. I paid my debt to Dr. Reichart in 4 months! It was definitely the start of a great friendship! He began to sell me wristwatches and pocket watches- his entire collection!
In 1976, a man walked into the gallery, with lots of questions. He was the qwner of the Flying Tiger Transportation Company of Switzerland. He wanted to know about the Dunhill lighters. He told Me he had a friend in Italy that was a mad collector of Dunhills, and asked to take pictures of My most rare pieces. There were 7 Dunhills I had that I considered to be rare and exciting. Though I loved them, I also loved eating. So I let him photograph the pieces. There was a 1930 Case and Combo in 14KT, a Sterling Silver Table 8 Day with Lighter from 1932, a 1950 Corona Automatic in 14KT, an 18KT Sports Self Winding watch lighter from 1934, a 9KT Beveled Dunhill studded with rubies from 1936, a 1950 Colom Silent flame, and a Broadboy Table Light from 1940. I told the man I would like to get $35,000.00 for the 7 lighters.
A few weeks later, a woman named Claria called Me, said her client was a Count who spoke no English, and she was tasked with negotiating for the lighters. She said she wanted to come to NYC to see the pieces, also that she wanted to have a 10% commission from the sale of these lighters, so that I should consider that in the pricing. If so, she could make the deal happen!
She came to NYC and We DID negotiate! We settled finally at $28,000.00 . I only had $6200.00 in the lighters so it was a fine deal. Then she gave me the last part of the deal. I woud have to travel to get paid! There would be no deposit!
The collector was Muzio Albertone from Milan.
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