19th Century Cast Iron "Cinco" Saloon Gas Cigar Lighter, Circa 1880

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19th Century Cast Iron "Cinco" Saloon Gas Cigar Lighter, Circa 1880

About the Item

This is a top of the line cast iron gas Cigar Lighter that would have been found in American saloons in the late 19th century. It was manufactured Circa 1880. It is an elaborate and specific to detail sculptor of a beautiful woman with long hair and resting on a cast iron plinth base. It is so typical of a Victorian looking lady. The original bulb (scarce in and of itself because of it's fragility) even has it's writing and stenciling still present. The flints on each side of the bust are original; highly unusual since they simply rest in their holders and would have been used quite extensively. Cigar lighters would have been mounted on the counter of a bar, and became ubiquitous in saloons from about 1880 through 1905, at which time production pretty much ended. There were two types; kerosene lighters and actual gas lighters. The kerosene lighter was produced about 1880 through 1890 and preceded the gas lighter, although there was a period of overlap. A prospective "smoker" would have removed one of the flints, held it to the flame, and then lit their cigar. Cigar lighters also doubled as a lamp by providing a little bit of light to the surrounding area. "Cinco" cigars were made by the Otto Eisenlohr & Bros. Company, which was created in 1850 in Philadelphia. They manufactured (for the most part) two cigars; the "Henrietta; a ten cent cigar; and the "Cinco" a nickel cigar. These were their flagship cigars. They were subcontracted to make other cigars, like specialty cigars, or other cigars under other names; but the two cigars mentioned are synonymous with Eisenlohr. Through the vicissitudes of economies Eisenlohr was able to maintain this pricing of a nickel and a dime until about 1907, at which point "Cinco" cigars were priced at two for 15 cents. That year they had sold 200,000,000 cigars worldwide! Four years later they built a new facility in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where they remained until they closed business around WWII. Those buildings today are historical landmarks. The price for "Cinco" cigars by the 1920's was three for 20 cents. They were able to maintain pricing because by then, cigars were machine rolled, whereas prior to that, they were hand rolled. A collector of Western Americana should have at least one of these items in his collection, since it so representative of late 19th century western saloons. Dimensions: 12" high x 5 3/4" square. Provenance: George Cross collection. (George Cross died in 2007 and was known for his discerning quest for quality and rarity).

Creator:
Cinco (Manufacturer)
Dimensions:
Height: 12 in (30.48 cm)Width: 5.75 in (14.61 cm)Depth: 5.75 in (14.61 cm)
Style:
Victorian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Glass,Iron
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1885
Condition:
Good quality in perfect original condition with everything present.
Seller Location:
Incline Village, NV
Reference Number:
Seller: #156-19/0517141stDibs: LU97321155862