JOHN – LIGHTER COLLECTOR

John Flores kindly spent the time to share some insights about himself and his collection. Read on to find out more about John’s experience with lighter collecting…. Enjoy!

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am 78 years old. Italian born, raised in East Africa, Spain and Italy. Emigrated to the US in 1971 and currently living in Orlando, Florida…

What do you collect and what inspired you to start collecting something so unique?

I collect Lighters. Having been a smoker since age 18, I always had a working cigarette lighter on me.  Friends and family gave me some early on … which led me to start collecting them. 

Do any of your items have an unusual story behind them or something that makes them unique?

My rarest piece must be a lighter that is inscribed “Enewetak Atoll – 1952” with an image of the nuclear symbol and a US warship. (Probably still radioactive – LOL)

Do you have a favourite piece in your collection?

My favorite piece is a silver lift-arm lighter from the 1930s with an enameled RAF symbol, handed down from a paternal uncle, first to my older sister (also a smoker, who gave me many of her lighters through the years) and then to me.

How do people usually react when you tell them about the unique items you collect?

Putting my entire collection on my personal website ( http://www.johnfloresgraphics.com/hobbies2.html ) in 1996 started many people around the world getting in touch with me, mostly about identifying some pieces and how to repair them, or asking for price quotes.

How has being a part of a collecting community helped you? What communities are you part of (Facebook groups, clubs, forums etc.)

I have not been part of any collector community. For many years I had a page on FaceBook but eventually retired it because of poor participation and interaction.

How has your collection changed or evolved over time, and have your interests shifted the more you learned about it?

My interest evolved in the 1980s when I started making the rounds of flea markets and garage sales actively looking for old and rare lighters, also acquiring pieces in my frequent travels abroad, my collection growing exponentially.

How do you care for, preserve, and display your unique items?

I have several wall display cases in my living-room entrance, some with glass coverings, one large open one that gets dusted daily plus the occasional buff.

Has collecting brought enjoyment to your life? How?

I have had great enjoyment for many years seeking the pieces out, gathering parts from non functional pieces to repair certain models back to working condition, and interacting with other collectors online exchanging historical information.

What advice would you give someone who is starting out collecting the same items as you?

10. Cigarette lighter collections are quite popular and most old and rare (and expensive) pieces are nowadays hard to find, some online sellers asking exorbitant prices. If you want to start a collection, my advice is to inform yourself, there are many books out there on the subject, and, Good Luck!

That was the amazing John Flores… What an incredible story mixed with some amazing photo’s!

Apart from being a collector, John supports himself with his graphic artist website which is another passion of his. I strongly encourage you to support John by heading over to http://www.johnfloresgraphics.com

John also has a second collection of lapel pins and buttons, pendants and jewelry. It’s interesting that most who have larger collections often collect different items.

Fun fact – John is the younger brother of Edoardo who has been featured on Meet the Collector with his ‘Do Not Disturb’ Collection so it’s seems that collecting runs in the family!