Dockmarlins

1953 TWA Trans World Airlines (TW): This is a beauty. The 4 color (yellow/red/white/gray) enamel is 100%. Etched graphic of a 4 propeller aircraft (L-1049 Super Constellation?) above a TWA shield with TWA double horizontal stripes and star. Zippo changed the patent number in 1953. This “Full Stamp Model” Zippo has 2517191 (Pat. Pending) case with original 2032695 insert. 16 hole chimney. The 5 barrel hinge is tight. Case and insert are magnetic: steel. This Zippo is UNUSED, never lit. Red stripe box is in mint condition but no advertising insert

1953 United Airlines (UA): This Zippo is very nice but has some problems. Another “Full Stamp Model” Pat 2517191 (Pat. Pending). Steel case and insert. Chrome plating on the case is worn off on 85% of the front end, 35% of the back end, 50% of the top and on the canned edges of the bottom. The front side 100% good and the back side has a few small spots of plating loss. The applied emblem is the United Airlines shield (non slanted). Base material of the emblem is gold in color – probably brass but could be gold. Emblem is dirty and I didn’t want to touch it. This is a signature Zippo with HB Cohrin or Cobrin? Signature is etched and enameled (blue). Enamel is 100%. This Zippo is used but I have Walnut Cleaned the soot and flint dust out of the insert and it (insert) looks unused. No box with this Zippo. United Airlines has just started merger negotiations with Continental Airlines.

1954 Allegheny Airlines (AL) BARCROFT Zippo. The Allegheny Airlines logo on this Barcroft was in use by the airline on January 1, 1954. A different logo was used on their timetable in June 1954. The logo is a particular green color that was in use by All American Airways in 1952 when they changed their name to Allegheny. The aircraft graphic on this Barcroft is the same graphic used on the All American Airways timetables between 1949 and 1952. This could be a 1952 Zippo but I’ll call it a ’54 to be safe. Enamel is 100%. Lighter is used but I have Walnut Cleaned the soot and flint dust out of the insert and it (insert) looks unused. Insert is magnetic. The case has blistering spots on all surfaces. One of the barrels of the 5 barrel hinge is a slightly darker color than the rest. Opens and closes normally. Bottom felt is 100%. Insert Pat. 2517191 (Pat. Pend) which also dates this to 1953-54. Engraving is horizontal. Zippo is 3 5/16” tall. Allegheny Airlines changed its name to US Air in 1979 and then US Airways in January 2006 after it merged with America West in September 2005.

1955 Continental Air Lines (CO). The 2 color (red/blue) enamel is 95% although is hard to tell where the blue enamel is missing. Case is in terrific shape with very light pocket wear. The 5 barrel hinge is tight but has a slight deflection if closed with the insert removed. Pat 2517191 (pat. Pend.) with 4 dots on each side of Zippo. Inserts 16 hole chimney is scuffed from lid.  This Zippo is used but I have Walnut Cleaned the soot and flint dust out of the insert and it (insert) looks unused. No box with this Zippo. Continental Airlines is still flying and has just entered into merger talks with United Airlines.

1956 TWA Trans World Airlines (TW). The 2 color (red/black) enamel is 100%. Case is very nice but has a few scuffs on the front edges. Hinge is tight. Pat. 2517191 (pat.pend.) with three dots to the left and four dots to the right of ZIPPO. Red stripe box has a scratch on top and the top corners are split. Has advertising insert.

1959+ United Airlines (UA) BARCROFT. Plain brushed finish with applied emblem of United Airlines shield (slanted). This version of the shield was most commonly and consistently used in the late 1940’s to early 1950’s. Case finish is in terrific condition however there is one blister on the step and two small spots on the top. Insert is pat 2517191 and engraving is vertical. Lightly used but I have Walnut Cleaned the soot and flint dust out of the insert and it (insert) looks unused. There is no box with this Barcroft. United Airlines has just started merger negotiations with Continental Airlines.

1959 TCA - Trans Canada Airlines (AC). This is a Mint Zippo. Two color (red/black) enamel is perfect. Never used. Hinge is tight. Insert is in original condition. Bottom of lighter is three dots to left and four dots to right of Zippo. Pat 2517191 centered under “Zippo”. Matching insert has engraving vertically. Red stripe box – no advertising insert. TCA was created by the Crown Corporation - Canadian National Railways, and launched service with its first flight on September 1, 1937 between Vancouver and Seattle. In 1964, by an act of Parliament, the name was changed from Trans Canada Airlines to Air Canada, effective January 1, 1965.

1963 TCA – Trans Canada Airlines (AC). This is a  used SLIM Zippo. In great condition with a tight hinge. The two color (red/Black) enamel is 100%. One dot to the left and right of Zippo on bottom. Engraving on insert is vertical. High Polish Chrome finish that shows some pocket wear. Lightly used but I have Walnut Cleaned the soot and flint dust out of the insert and it (insert) looks unused. This lighter was manufactured one year before the Canadian Parliament changed the airline name to Air Canada.

1965 American Airlines (AA). This Zippo is in great shape. Brushed chrome finish with two color enamel (red/blue) that is 100%. There is some minor scuffing, mostly on the back of the lighter. Hinge is tight. Bottom reads dot to the left, nothing to the right of Zippo. Lightly used but I have Walnut Cleaned the soot and flint dust out of the insert and it (insert) looks unused. American Airlines is the largest airline in the world when it comes to passengers carried and fleet size.

1967 Allegheny Airlines (AL). This Zippo is new and does not appear to have ever been lit. Two color enamel (red/blue) is 100%. Hinge is tight. Bottom reads 4 vertical lines to the left and three to the right of Zippo. There are a couple of tiny handling scratches on the case if you look closely. This Zippo fits very snuggly in its box and there is a tear in one corner where the lighter rests. The Zippo advertising printed inside the bottom of box is upside down. Box has the advertising insert as well.

1969 Eastern Airlines (EA). This Zippo is in mint condition in its original box. The applied emblem is a gold color base metal – probably brass. The four color enamel (red/light blue/navy and white) is 100%. Emblem reads “Eastern Airlines – the great silver fleet”. No scratches or scuffs on this one. Bottom reads three vertical lines to the left and two to the right of Zippo. Box has some scuffing on the bottom. Eastern Airlines was crippled by severe labor unrest with mechanics and ramp employees going on strike March 4, 1989 followed in sympathy by the pilots and flight attendants which effectively shut down the airlines domestic operations. As a result of the strike, weakened airline structure, inability to compete after deregulation and other financial problems, Eastern filed for bankruptcy protection on March 9, 1989. The end to Eastern was in 1990 during the Gulf War.  Eastern then sold its Central and South American route networks to American Airlines and its transatlantic route network to Continental Airlines. Eastern had its last flight in January 1991, officially shutting down on January 18.

1979 American Airlines (AA). This is an almost mint Handi-Lite Zippo. Never lit with tight hinge and high polish chrome case and base. Two color (red/blue) enamel is 100%. Bottom markings are /Zippo // . Base felt bottom is perfect. No box.

1984 Ozark Airlines (OZ). Ultralite Slim Zippo with creamy white sides. Front has Ozark logo in green enamel that is 100%. This Zippo has never been lit as far as I can tell. Bottom markings read \\\Zippo\\\. Mint in plastic case with advertising insert. Ozark Airlines operated in the United States from 1950 until 1986 when it was purchased by Trans World Airlines.