2012 Zippo Global Sales Meeting. 80th Anniversary & 500 Millionth combo!

Sales distributors around the world sent representatives during 2012, to attend a Global Sales Meeting held in Bradford P.A. 

Each who turned up, were given a token of this HP chrome lighter- custom produced in about 160 pieces for more than 160 regional distributors worldwide.

Laser etched facade detailing this formal event & sharing the same face, marks Zippo mfg company's 80th Anniversary and production of a 500th Millionth windproof lighter.

Thereby to say, 2 occasions put into a combo lighter. Make it 3 occasions, for this sales meeting too. 

Zippo 500 Millionth Lighter. During the same year.

Good things preferably come in a pair. An occasion occurred during 2012 marked another milestone of Zippo mfg's success, after celebration of their 80th Anniversary. This event fell on 5 June 2012 alongside with Zippo founder George G. Blaisdell's birthday, is the company's production of a legendary 500 Millionth Zippo windproof lighter.

Actual 500 Millionth windproof lighter is on display in Zippo case museum. On that same day, Zippo mfg rolled out replicas in two numbered editions. One's an exact copy of the actual, another's of armor casings in much fewer numbers.

This is an official media's image of the actual 500 Millionth lighter that freshly came out of production line, media & press worldwide witnessing it's manufacture. * Noting the bottom stamp unique from the regular ones. It is a commemorative used on all regular casings (except armor) especially the numbered series, manufactured during that day of 5 July 2012. 

picture from www.multivu.com

Here's one which is an exact replica of the real 500 Millionth. 

This occurs to be the 36234th produced. 

Brief statements behind the box.

Armor editions were made in fewer quantities, commanding higher prices for it's much lavish packaging including a raw brass blank (Piece of brass before shaping for the lighter's case took place)

Picture from  http://eshop.excaliburcity.com

Yet to know the exact numbers produced for these 2 replica series. 

Will we still live to see Zippo's 1st Billionth windproof lighter? 

Early Christmas with Zippo 80th Anniversary - Seasons Greetings special.

I can't wait till next Christmas to reveal this fine & exclusive piece of collection here!

This is a limited-edition; among the limited edition black chrome Armor 80th commemorative. Black chrome tumbled finish- another word for 'street chroming', with laser engraved artwork of a Christmas snowy backdrop than the curves & heading.

This item isn't numbered but originally included a regular steel insert instead of the gold plated one which those numbered limited editions have. Same bottom stamp as the limited edition, and packaged in a regular eco-friendly box which includes a Christmas greeting card.

Produced in about less than a couple hundreds in numbers, it is meant to be a special Christmas gift for Zippo Mfg's close partners & global sales representatives during the year of 2012. To celebrate this festival in such a remarkable year.

80th Anniversary Christmas Special. 

Seasons greetings for employees & corporate partners.

I can only now wish a Merry Christmas, in Advance :D

Zippo 80th Anniversary Commemorative.

During the Year of 1932, George G. Blaisdell innovated his first Zippo lighter by improvising an Austrian's creation of a windproof lighter with detachable lid.

His built a new case, hinged lid, and made his first sale during the early 1933. He decided his first lighter,  be named 'Zippo'. Coming from an idea that striking of the flint-wheel, sounds like pulling a zip so it seems. 'Zipper' is a little crude to hear, he thought 'Zippo' sounded more pleasing. True to that, it sounds catchy indeed!

80 years had passed, since his first creation of a Zippo lighter & founding of Zippo mfg. There must be something to commemorate it isn't there?

Hence Zippo started rolling out a limited edition series in advance(year 2011 till 2012), marking the significant milestone in their businesses through 8 decades. 41932 pieces were produced during this limited edition series. Each piece is an armor case of black chrome finish, partially laser engraved to reveal it's brand name, period of existence as well as some decorative curvy patterns. The insert, isn't brass finished but is gold plated to enhance attractiveness.

Zippo from 2011, also released a regular edition of 80th Commemorative. Printed image transfer on a herringbone finish.

Picture from ebay.com

Few rarer editions were available in various global regions, such as this limited edition distributed around Europe.

Picture from zippolovers.blogspot.com.
Property of: Rui Amaral