Character Graphics Zippos — LighterGallery.com

CHARACTER GRAPHICS ZIPPOS

One of the most popular Zippo themes are character or figural designs. Many companies as well as military units use figures of real or imaginary beings as mascots in their corporate identity and branding. Examples of such personifications are Reddy Kilowatt for electrical utility companies, Charlie the Tuna for Starkist, Pillsbury Doughboy and many others. This figures or characters of all shapes and sizes appear on can be found engraved on Zippo lighters and the hunt for these is what draws people to and keeps people collecting Zippos. These designs began to appear in earnestness in the early 1950's. The images on this page are just a sampling of the kinds of graphics and artwork that can be found on Zippo lighters

The design of the Drunkard or Reveler leaning against a lamp post seen on the this rare 1949-50 Zippo was one of the very first images made on the early Metallique Zippos of the mid-1930's, making it a highly desirable design among Zippo fans. This … — The design of the Drunkard or Reveler leaning against a lamp post seen on the this rare 1949-50 Zippo was one of the very first images made on the early Metallique Zippos of the mid-1930's, making it a highly desirable design among Zippo fans. This one belonged to Jack Musselman

1949-51 Zippo advertising Larkwood Stockings.  A graphic of a lady's stocking-covered legs and "3V's Vamp Top, Vamp Toe, Volu-metric Control" — 1949-51 Zippo advertising Larkwood Stockings. A graphic of a lady's stocking-covered legs and "3V's Vamp Top, Vamp Toe, Volu-metric Control"

1949-50 Zippo with a graphic of a cartoon chef known as  the ‘Tappan Chef,’ or the ‘Little Chef,’ representing Tappan Stove Co. Tappan appliances was founded by W.J. Tappan as the Ohio Valley Foundry Company in Bellaire, Ohio, in 1881 sell… — 1949-50 Zippo with a graphic of a cartoon chef known as the ‘Tappan Chef,’ or the ‘Little Chef,’ representing Tappan Stove Co. Tappan appliances was founded by W.J. Tappan as the Ohio Valley Foundry Company in Bellaire, Ohio, in 1881 selling cast-iron stoves door-to-door. The company relocated to Mansfield, Ohio in 1889 and was subsequently renamed several times.

1952-53 Zippo with a line-drawn graphic of a well dressed and coiffed lady with a hand fan advertising The Vogue School of Fashion Design in Chicago

1953 Zippo with a man made of machine nuts.  The nut man is the mascot for National Screw  Company as can be seen on the 1957 lighter on this page — 1953 Zippo with a man made of machine nuts. The nut man is the mascot for National Screw Company as can be seen on the 1957 lighter on this page

1953 Zippo with a cute little Indian character of unknown origin. The signature of Otis H. Bowden II appears on the reverse — 1953 Zippo with a cute little Indian character of unknown origin. The signature of Otis H. Bowden II
appears on the reverse

1956 Safety Award Zippo with a character graphic of Jenny Genesee and a  Green Cross.  The reverse has the signature of "William J. Host".  "Jenny" is the symbol for Genesee Brewing Company — 1956 Safety Award Zippo with a character graphic of Jenny Genesee and a Green Cross. The reverse has the signature of "William J. Host". "Jenny" is the symbol for Genesee Brewing Company

1956 Zippo with Mr. Meadow Brook, a confidence inspiring banker with a green suit and balding head.  "Presented by The Meadow Brook National Bank - your world at one - for fostering an informed community'.   The bank's name was change… — 1956 Zippo with Mr. Meadow Brook, a confidence inspiring banker with a green suit and balding head. "Presented by The Meadow Brook National Bank - your world at one - for fostering an informed community'. The bank's name was changed to National Westminster Bank in 1980

1952-53 Zippo with the silhouette of a short well dressed photographer with a hat

1953 Zippo with a somewhat provocative graphic of a "well stacked" woman in a swimsuit

1953 Zippo with a line-drawn graphic of a wireman smoking.  Not shown is the reverse which has the signature of Sherman J Niessen — 1953 Zippo with a line-drawn graphic of a wireman smoking. Not shown is the reverse which has the signature of Sherman J Niessen

1953 Zippo with a graphic of family for Dairy Lea Cooperative "direct from our farms to you"

1955 Zippo with a graphic of Happy Hotpoint, a pixie mascot for Hotpoint appliances during TV commercial segments on the ABC sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriott during the 1954-1955 season. The role of the pixie was played by then … — 1955 Zippo with a graphic of Happy Hotpoint, a pixie mascot for Hotpoint appliances during TV commercial segments on the ABC sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriott during the 1954-1955 season. The role of the pixie was played by then 17-year-old Mary Tyler Moore who was making her acting debut as Happy Hotpoint

1954-55 Zippo with a cute graphic of boy and girl kissing for L&S Pickles & Preserves, a canning company based in Pittsburgh PA

1955 Zippo with a stylized design of a floor sweeper for Janitor Supplies

1954-55 Zippo with a Good Morning frog with a gold fish advertising Loveland Goldfish Farm and Aquatic Nurseries in Loveland Ohio

1956 Zippo with the body of  an incandescent light bulb — 1956 Zippo with the body of an incandescent light bulb

1957 Zippo with a coffee cup and server design

1957 with Doc Dollar, a money bag mascot for Franklin Finance Company

1957 Zippo with a graphic of a man in his underwear by Spring City Knitting Company 1907-1957.  In the 1950's the Company became the largest manufacturer of men’s underwear in the United States. It closed its doors in 2002 due to foreign compet… — 1957 Zippo with a graphic of a man in his underwear by Spring City Knitting Company 1907-1957. In the 1950's the Company became the largest manufacturer of men’s underwear in the United States. It closed its doors in 2002 due to foreign competition

1957 Zippo with a slightly scary looking ink man. Made for Miller Cooper Ink Company in Kansas City and Omaha

1957 Zippo with Neptune, God of the Sea, for  "Hydraxtor "water wrings dry".  a clothes drying machine manufacturer in Molin, Illinois — 1957 Zippo with Neptune, God of the Sea, for "Hydraxtor "water wrings dry". a clothes drying machine manufacturer in Molin, Illinois

1957 Zippo with Willy Waxheart with a crown on his head for Warwick Wax

A glass of orange juice and a waterskiing southern belle is engraved on this 1958 Zippo for Cypress Gardens,  amusement park in Winter Haven, Florida  and Snively Groves Inc., one of Florida's largestcitrus growers — A glass of orange juice and a waterskiing southern belle is engraved on this 1958 Zippo for Cypress Gardens, amusement park in Winter Haven, Florida and Snively Groves Inc., one of Florida's largest
citrus growers

1958 Zippo with a graphic of a lasso swinging cowboy in a 10 gallon hat advertising Apple Valley Ranchos, a water company serving Apple Valley, California

1959 Zippo.  Burgie Man was the mascot for Burgie Brewing, or  Burgermeister Brewing Company of San Francisco, California.  The company was acquired by Schlitz in 1961 — 1959 Zippo. Burgie Man was the mascot for Burgie Brewing, or Burgermeister Brewing Company of San Francisco, California. The company was acquired by Schlitz in 1961

1958 Zippo with Willie Wiredhand for Hancock County R.E.M.C. (Rutherford Electric Membership Cooperative), a rural electric cooperative

1958 slim Zippo with a ferocious looking "Mrs. Inky"

1959 slim Zippo with a graphic of two hat-tipping carpet-carrying men which was used by Chesapeake Rug Cleaners of Baltimore, Maryland

1960 Zippo with a very smiley character "have a happy day!" is for Carson Roberts, a Los Angeles based advertising agency that came up with the idea of "31 Flavors" for Baskin & Robbins

1961 Zippo with a red robot-like character with an N on its chest

This is a Canadian Zippo from the 1960's with a nice graphic of a wedding couple advertising The Hi-Fi's

1962 Zippo with a graphic of a bear and balloons. Balloons Ashland Rubber Products is based in Ashland Ohio and marketed rubber toys under the "Toy Time" brand