Nassau Lighter Company

New York, NY (USA)

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  • The Nassau Lighter Company was incorporated in 1911 by L.W. Seligman, W.J.Fallon and E.L. Haas of New York City (United States Tobacco Journal,1911)
  • After about a year, the company went out of business (Metal Industry, 1913)
  • The plant of the Nassau Lighter Co. was sold and the company retired from business (The Brass World and Platers Guide, 1913)
  • The Nassau pocket lighters shown are marked 'PAT.DEC.26.1905', referencing the friction-disc tinder lighter patented by Albert R Weisz in 1905 which is a very different design.
  • The Nassau Household Lighter shown without base is marked with two patent dates, the Weisz date and 'PAT.OCT.3.1911' that corresponds to Frederick W. Goerdes' utility patent shown below.
  • Most experts agree the Nassau mechanism is based on Goerdes' patented design which was assigned to American Button Company, manufacturer of the very similar Wright Lighter.


U.S. Utility Patent

F.W.Goerdes, 1910/1911

1911 Nassau Lighter Catalog

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Nassau Lighter Video

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Nassau Pocket Lighter

engine-turned small size, No.1-Ls

Nassau Pocket Lighter

gold plate with emblem, No. 2-G

Nassau Pocket Lighter

gold plate with emblem, No. 2-G

Nassau Pocket Lighter

gold plate with emblem, No. 2-G

Nassau Pocket Lighter

plain sterling with monogram, No. 3

Nassau Pocket Lighter

plain sterling with monogram, No. 3-A

Nassau Pocket Lighter

hand engraved sterling, No. 3-D

Nassau Pocket Lighter

hand engraved sterling, No. 3-D

Nassau Pocket Lighter

hand engraved sterling, No. 3-D

Nassau Pocket Lighter

hand engraved sterling, No. 3-D

Nassau Pocket Lighter

hand engraved sterling, No. 3-D

Nassau Pocket Lighter

hand engraved sterling, small size No. 3-Ds

Nassau Pocket Lighter

engine-turned sterling, No. 3-E

Nassau Pocket Lighter

engine-turned sterling, No. 3-E

Nassau Pocket Lighter

engine-turned sterling, No. 3-E

Nassau Pocket Lighter

double engine-turned plaid pattern, No. 3-M

Nassau Pocket Lighter

double engine-turned arrow pattern, No. 3-T

Nassau Pocket Lighter

double engine-turned arrow pattern, small size No. 3-Ts

Nassau Household Lighter

complete set with original presentation box

Nassau Household Lighter

shown without base

Nassau Household Lighter

shown without base

Nassau Household Lighter

shown without base

Nassau Household Lighter

undated advertising

The Nassau Lighter

1911 newspaper advertising

"International" Pocket Lighter

advertsing postcard with 1911 postmark

A Gift For A Man

1911 newspaper advertising

Nassau Lighters

1912 newspaper advertising

A Light Without A Match

1912 newspaper advertising

Secure a Nassau Pocket Lighter

1912 newspaper advertising

For The Man That Smokes

1912 newspaper advertising

A Light Without A Match

1912 newspaper advertising

The Nassau Lighter

1912 newspaper advertising

The Nassau Lighter

1912 newspaper advertising

Does He Smoke?

1912 newspaper advertising

Gift Suggestions

1913 newspaper advertising