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Wild West  Zippos                                                                                   

The "Wild West" or Old West or Far West comprises the history, peoples, lore, and cultural expression of life in the Western United States in the latter half of the 19th century, the images of which have been romanticized and popularized in art, literature, and film. Such images have also been captured on the Zippo lighter, the earliest being the line-drawn bucking bronco of the Sports Series in the 1940's.  Following the advent of the Marlboro Man in the mid-1950's which was one of the most successful campaigns in advertising history, images with Western themes, such as the bucking bronco and star and steer skull, were used on Zippo lighters to promote the Marlboro tobacco brand, some of which can be found HERE.  Following the banning of tobacco advertising in the 1970's, images associated with the West, Southwest, Pueblos and other American Indians such as the buffalo, cactus, scorpions, gecko, Indian chiefs, dream catchers and others have been interpreted by Zippo and other artists in collector series and sets, including exquisite creations using turquoise.

1946-47 Zippo Early Line Drawing "Bucking Bronco". Patent 2032695 with 3 barrel hinge   1952-53 Sterling Silver Zippo extremely rare “Roy Rogers” one of a kind model.  

This 1946-47 Zippo with a line drawn image of  "Bucking Bronco" was part of the first Sports Series.  It is the earliest known Old West style imageon a Zippo lighter.   This rare 1952-53 Sterling Silver
 Zippo has a  graphic caricature of  “Roy Rogers” and is unique.
 
 
1956 Zippo with horseshoe for Texas Steel   1986 Zippo Prototype gray paint - bucking horse  
1956 Zippo with horseshoe for
Texas Steel Co.
  1986 prototype Zippo with the bucking bronco on a gray matte paint finish. The image is identical to the 1946 Zippo above.   1988 high polish
brass prototype
Zippo with a lone
cowboy on the
open prairie.
         
1988 Zippo Prototype brass horse in relief   1988 Zippo Prototype brass steer in relief   1991 Zippo 1990 Wild West Series - Western attire 1862 brass prototype   1991 Zippo 1990 Wild Wets Series Western Attire 
1988 high polish brass prototype Zippo with a horse in relief. 1988 high polish brass prototype Zippo with the head of a steer in relief. Two 1991 prototype brass Zippos with the Western Attire 1862 design for the Wild West Series.  The set of was produced in high polish chrome and included Trail Boss 1860, Conestoga Wagon 1840, Wyatt Earp Famous Sheriff 1849-1929, Chief Sitting Bull 1838-1890 and Pony Express 1860.
         
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 Gallery Index