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The Earliest Zippos                                                                  


The first Zippo lighters was introduced by George G Blaisdell in early 1933. These so-called 'Tall' models are extremely rare and are readily distinguishable by a flat bottom, square corners and an outside hinge. It is 2 7/16” tall, ¼ taller than later models and was produced in 1933 only. Diagonal corner lines were added for decorative purposes in late 1933. The square corner models were continued on in the regular size from 1934 through 1940. An internal hinge replaced the outside hinge in 1936. These early Zippos are not dated in any way, so with the exception of the 1933 tall model it is not possible establish year of manufacture with certainty.

 





The Ultimate Zippo
This lighter is a tall 1933 Zippo and has no diagonal lines, which makes it one of the
earliest examples of the Zippo lighter.  It has
been repaired as the hinge has been replaced. The original hinge has three barrels, while the hinge on the repaired Zippo has a non-chromed four barrel hinge.  The inserts on the early Zippos had no markings and the bottom of the case is marked "Pat. Pending".
 

 

 

 

This tall 1933 Zippo has the decorative diagonal lines.  The hinge is original which is unusual, since the original hinges were fragile and often repaired.  A "35" has been scratched into the side of the insert.  The chimney has 16 holes and the lighter has a piston-spring.
   
 


This plain 1934-36 Zippo is in near
mint condition.  Any early Zippo with an original  outside hinge is highly sought after by most Zippo collectors.

The only noticeable differences between this 1934-36 Zippo and the 1933 model is the height of the case (1/4 inch shorter) and the insert which is slightly shorter too. It has the same outside hinge and the piston spring.
 
Here is a very unusual early test-model 1934-36 Zippo. The outside hinge has been repaired.  The front lid has an attached stars & stripes flag emblem, and the case appears to have been prepared for the Town & Country sloop and the reverse has a line-drawn
fisherman design.  Since the sloop and fisherman are both from the Sports Series introduced in the late 1940's, one could
speculate that this lighter was returned to Zippo for repair in the 1940's, was replaced with a new one and then used as a scrap
lighter for testing.
The first advertising on a Zippo was produced for Kendall Oil & Refining Company in 1935.  Other advertisers
soon followed.  Oil companies such as
Gulf were early adopted of the Zippo
lighter for their advertising. Some
paint in the metallique on this Zippo is missing
   

In 1936, the outside hinge was
replaced by an internal hinge.
This 1936-40 Zippo has advertising for "Be Square" in metallique
 


1936-40 plain Zippo in a rare art deco silver box.
     
     

 



1936-40 reverse engraved Zippo with adverting for   "Newark Hair Felt Co. Lansdale PA. - Quality, Quantity, Quick Shipment Guaranteed".
1936-40 plain Zippo in a
rare art deco silver box.		      

 

 

This 1936-40 Zippo with the initial "JEP" comes in a black and silver box that reads "Wind Proof Zippo Lighter - A week's trial, then - all the while".  It has an image of the pin-up girl "m/114/313995761_c27cffbb69_b.jpg"> advertise Zippo in Esquire Magazine in 1937.