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O'Key Tom 042 Hello fellow collectors and friends, I've been collecting Fire-Making history for over fifty years. I found my first lighter in the summer of 1972 at a local swap meet and soon my attention was on innovation and changes with advancements in technology that affected the way people made fire. Lighters and Matches joined together with fascinating stories of invention and survival that captivated my appreciation. The lighters I'm submitting are from my collection and all have the common theme where flowers are the featured embellishment. In every instance, the era and system of function are not important beyond the decorations that gives these wonderful devices esthetic merit. From recent times to centuries past, floral design in the artist's influence comes through with the age old appreciation for beauty. Several distinct systems are represented with my photo submissions. Dobereiner's Lighters from two cultural regions of the same era, circa 1830, are strongly embellished with hand painted bouquets as is the Jones's Promethean Matchbox that dates to the same time period, though representing England as the region of origin. Modern examples date to circa 1960 with ferrocerium and catalytic systems represented, the former made in the USA and latter, from West Germany. The Catalytic system, also, representing the two century old system developed by Dobereiner. Optical fire starters are represented by this rare Hudson's Bay Tinderbox that dates to circa 1750, Wales. Probably, widely available at the time, these were known as imported lighters to the Colonies in the mid 18th century. The age old flint and steel system is represented by the Japanese Hiuchi Bukuro that is crafted in multi-metal construction with silver and copper Cherry Blossom design, circa 1860, Japan. Respectfully, Tom O'Key
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