QUERCIA ECLAIR Model 1929 France Art Deco Mappaemundi Desk Petrol Lighter
A petrol desk-lighter designed by Quercia.
This novelty item combines a miniature terrestrial globe with a cigarette desk petrol-lighter. The brass lighter apparatus was crafted by the Quercia company and is the model Eclair-730 with a mappemonde. The Éclair semi-automatic mechanism was patented in 1929/1930 by Janvier Quercia and manufactured by Quercia. These table lighters are only marked "Éclair", without reference to Quercia. Copies of this Quercia mechanism were produced in England by Stewart Engineering, the United States by Strikalite and Ever flow most famously, several Japanese factories, and others. Copies of these lighters are much more common than authentic French Éclair models.
The Mappemonde
the geography is simple, with some countries and major cities labeled, though with some national borders indicated with light red lines. Major rivers are drawn with blue lines. Landmasses are green and yellow, with mountain ranges and deserts shaded in tan, outlined in blue, and oceans are yellow-green. Ocean currents, drawn as serpentine shaded blue or tan shapes, give it a lively, decorative appearance. Longitude and latitude lines are numbered.
Maison Forest
The company made a large variety of globes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, largely for school use, but also for the home. Their prolific output included table globes, some on ebonized turned stands; floor globes; and novelty globes, including terrestrial globes on geared turntable stands, and globe-form cigarette lighters. In the 20th century, Forest produced light up globes, including ones on modernist aluminum bases. Forest globes were mainly labeled in French, with some produced for export in English or Spanish. In the 2nd quarter of the 20th century J. Forest was apparently succeeded by the geographical publishing firm Girard & Barrére, which continued to offer “Globes Forest” at the same Rue de Buci address in Paris that Forest had used. During the early and mid-20th century the firm also produced globes and geographical publications as Girard, Barrére et Thomas. This may have been a merger or partnership with the 19th century Paris globe maker G. Thomas.
Inventor: Janvier Quercia.
Brand: Quercia.
Model: Eclair Mappemonde desk petrol lighter.
First Produced: 1929-1930
Material: Bronze and paper.
Weight: 410.7 Grams, (0.42 Kg.).
Measurements: Height 139.7 mm, diameter 82.5 mm, (5.5 x 3.25 Inches).
Globe Cartouche: TERRESTRIAL/GLOBE/ Made and for sale by/ J. FOREST/ Geographer/ 17-19 R. de Buci, 17-19/ PARIS.
Hallmarks: Stamped with French marks, the maker's mark, the model name and signed in full as follows; "ECLAIR MADE IN FRANCE BREVETE SGDG MODELE DEPOSE".
Literature: Elon Baldwin, The Lighter Library, his website for this piece illustrated.
Note: This Quercia Eclair terrestrial globe desk petrol-lighter is empty of any flammable, gas or butane substances and is ready to be ship by any carrier. This lighter just need a new flint and proper lighter fluid. Was tested and is in working condition.
Condition: This Quercia Eclair terrestrial globe desk petrol-lighter is in general very good with the usual overall toning, wear, soiling. Few abrasions, especially at South Pole where it rests on the table, neatly restored.
INVENTORY REF: D052725MNEG/.1987
