The signature lighters are an iconic image of American history and Bradford Edwards took it upon himself to collect as many as he could from Vietnam that belonged to deceased soldiers. With each one emblazoned with a personal engraving, the collection of Zippos were recovered and collected by Edwards before being sold at auction.
The Zippo collection features a whopping 282 different lighters that belonged to soldiers during the long battle in Vietnam that saw heavy losses on the side of the Americans. The lighters have gone on to be sold in a single lot for over $35,000.
Hauntingly nostalgic, the collection that Edwards painstakingly curated took several years and strong determination, but what he was able to recover is a set of Zippos that belonged to the best and brightest that fell during wartime. If he had not collected them, they would have been left forever in the mud of the battleground.
Recovered Combatant Lighters
Bradford Edwards Collected Hundreds of Zippos From the Vietnam War
Trend Themes
1. Vintage Military Collectibles - The popularity of collecting vintage military items, such as combatant lighters, presents an opportunity for businesses to cater to the demand.
2. Personalized Memorabilia - The engraving on the recovered Zippos highlights the growing trend of personalized memorabilia and creates an opportunity for companies to offer customized products.
3. Preserving Historical Artifacts - The act of recovering and collecting historic items like the combatant lighters underscores the need for businesses in the preservation and restoration industry.
Industry Implications
1. Collectibles - The market for vintage military collectibles, including combatant lighters, is thriving and provides a lucrative opportunity for businesses in the collectibles industry.
2. Customization - The growing demand for personalized memorabilia, like the engraved Zippos, opens up opportunities for businesses in the customization industry to offer tailored products.
3. Preservation and Restoration - The need to preserve and restore historical artifacts, such as the combatant lighters, creates a niche for businesses specializing in preservation and restoration services.