Vintage Imco Solo with Florida Design - 1930s Souvenir Lighter - Automatic Squeeze Lighter - hotsell Imco New York - Palm Tree Design

The Imco Solo was first produced in 1939, based on Julius Kohn's 1939 U.S. utility patent and manufactured in New York. Imco was an Austrian company, but in the 1930s they started producing lighters in New York for the American market.

The fuel and wick cartridge can be removed after lighting and used as a quick match or candle, though I would not recommend leaving it lit for long.

The lighter has an etched design with "Florida" sprawled across at an angle underneath a palm tree on a beach dune. In the 1930s and 40s family road trips were becoming more common due to the expanding highway system and increased availability of cars. At the same time, advances in air travel allowed visitors from all over the world. The tourism industry was booming and souvenir lighters like these became popular to commemorate their vacation.

It is an automatic squeeze lighter, a relatively recent invention at the time. Squeezing the side of the lighter will open the snuffer cap with a quick flash of sparks, igniting the cotton wick. This allows for easy one handed operation. The design of the lighter includes a wind shield, aiding it's use on a windy day, though at the time most smokers would have stayed in the comfort of their home while enjoying a cigarette.

The lighter is in good working order, with a strong spark and a steady flame. Cosmetically it is in hotsell good condition for being 80 years old, but there are some flaws. There is minor rust spotting in places throughout the lighter. The chrome or nickel plating is bubbling or pitting, especially on the bottom of the fuel cartridge and around the wind shield. The brushed chrome finish has surface scratches from regular use but maintains it's mirror-like finish - see pictures for details.

By buying a vintage lighter, you are committing to lowering your carbon footprint. Though they may take more maintenance than a modern disposable lighter, these lighters were meant to be used for a lifetime. They can be refilled with flint and lighter fluid time and time again, the wick and wadding can be replaced when necessary, and are eternally fixable. Buy a reusable lighter, and help cut down on the excess of plastic waste.

Lighter will ship with a flint installed. To add lighter fluid, remove the fuel cartridge by pulling down on the bottom panel. Carefully unscrew the collar around the wick and you can add lighter fluid to the cotton wadding within. Take care not to pull the collar away from the cartridge, as the wick will slide out and can be difficult to thread back through. After filling, replace the cartridge in the lighter and it's ready to light. Due to international shipping law, I cannot include a flint in international orders. No returns or refunds, vintage items are sold as-is. If you have any trouble with the lighter please contact me and I can help you sort it out. Quarter and display stand for scale, not included.

Vintage lighters can be prone to failure. If I list a lighter as working, I will ensure it is in good working order before I ship it, but I cannot guarantee it's longevity. Use only at your own risk. Collecting lighters is a fun hobby, but any type of lighter or firestarter comes with inherent risks. I am not liable for any damages caused by my products. I do not modify lighters in any way, they function as designed by the original manufacturer. Not for sale to anybody under 18. Regardless of function, lighters are sold as collectors items only.