Lighter
Object number2011.52.3 a-d
Manufacturer
Zippo Manufacturing Company
Date1994
OriginBradford, PA
MediumMetal, plastic, paper
Credit LineGift of Jean W. Thomas
DescriptionCommemorative gold metal tin with lid and commemorative D-Day lighter and paper instruction sheet.Dimensionsa) circumference: 13.00"b) circumference: 13.50"
c) 2.00" x 1.50" x 0.50"
d) 2.00" x 1.50"
Signed(b)
"Dwight D. Eisenhower" printed signature on underside of lid.
Inscriptions(b)
Image of a black and red shield in the center that reads: "D-DAY" across the top.
In the center of the shield is a sword with flames emanating from the sides with the word "NORMANDY" printed above the hilt.
At the bottom of the shield is a banner that reads: "50 YEARS 1944-1994".
On the underside of the lid is printed a message from Dwight D. Eisenhower.
(c)
Applied metal insignia on one side that depicts a shield and reads: "D-DAY" across the top.
In the center of the shield is a sword with red flames emanating from the sides with the word "NORMANDY" printed above the hilt.
At the bottom of the shield is a banner that reads: "50 YEARS 1944-1994".
Marks(a)
Text over an image of water reads: "ZIPPO".
Text over an image of an explosion reads: "LIFETIME GUARANTEE".
Text over an image of barbed wire reads "D-DAY COMMEMORATIVE LIGHTER / ZIPPO MANUFACTURING COMPANY / 33 BARBOUR STREET / BRADFORD, PENNSYLVANIA 16701".
Text over an aerial bombing reads: "MADE IN U.S.A."
(b)
Printed below the shield is "LIMITED EDITION".
(c)
On the bottom of the lighter is stamped "ZIPPO"
(d)
Folded piece of paper detailing the directions for the use of the lighter.
Historical NotesPart of a collection relating to Clarke M. Thomas, donated by his widow Jean W. Thomas. Clarke M. Thomas was born on January 11, 1926, in Kansas City, Missouri. His parents were missionaries in Sierra Leone where he spent his childhood until moving to Coffeyville, Kansas, for a formal education at age 11. He later enlisted in the Army, where he served as a private in the 97th Infantry Division, touring Germany and the Czech Republic toward the end of World War II. He earned a journalism degree at the University of Kansas and worked for several newspapers in Nebraska and Oklahoma before being recruited to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's editorial staff in 1971, where he worked for over 30 years.
Previous owner
Clarke M. Thomas
(1926 - 2009)
Related institution
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
(founded 1927)
Related institution
United States Army
Related institution
97th Infantry Division
Related person
Dwight David Eisenhower
(1890 - 1969)
On View
Not on view
c. 1944
1999
