Accidental Mysteries: 06.24.12

Accidental Mysteries ^ | Posted 06.24.12 | John Foster

[expat1000]

A rare, authentic collection of 282 Vietnam era Zippo lighters went on the auction block June 21st at Cowan’s Auctions in Cincinnati. The collection belongs to artist Bradford Edwards, whose collection was showcased in the book Vietnam Zippos: American Soldiers’ Engravings and Stories 1965-1973 (Sherry Buchanan, University of Chicago Press, 2010). Some of you may remember the collection, which received media attention by the New York Times, NPR, and others. The lighter collection had a starting price of $30,000 to $50,000 and was included in the book. Considering the years of search Mr. Bradford spent in Vietnam sourcing and assembling the collection, the starting price seems realistic.

[expat1000]

H/T Sultan Knish.

Fascinating stuff..

[expat1000]

A

[Flick Lives]

Checkout the auction site for photos of the actual lighters. Neat stuff. Sort of reminiscent of whalers of the 19th century carving scrimshaw... with perhaps a bit more colorful language.

[virgil283]

" Let me win your heart and mind or I'll burn your @*@*@ hut down", ...OH MY!!

[Moonmad27]

Looks like they got 35K. Not bad!

[Safetgiver]

Should have been donated to the Zippo Museum in Bradford, PA.

[rawcatslyentist]

Zippo Hero

[Safetgiver]

One of Charlies favorite tricks was’ clicking’ a Zippo at forward sentries to make them think it was a GI coming at your front. Hell, everybody had one.

[libertylover]

If you’re going to engrave it at least get the spelling right.

[expat1000]

The locals did the engraving.

[762X51]

"It’s the stainless steel case that users like to modify and personalize"

So many people write about so much stuff they know so little about. I thought Zippos had a chrome plated brass case.

[colinhester]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

[radioone]

During my college days we practiced opening a Zippo by squeezing the top and bottom with the right hand and lighting it by snapping our left hand fingers at the edge of the wheel. Took practice, but was more fun than studying.
I also had a Zippo in RVN, but it’s long gone.

[wizr]

Thanks.

[bgill]

Did one of them say, “Kerry was here”?

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I remember seeing lighters for sale on Okiniawa that would be noted as “not be safe for work” due to the engraving and pictures on them.