This rare silver Novelty cigar lighter is in excellent condition and a fantastic desk piece.

The back has a hinged compartment which lifts to reveal the well for fuel. This would have originally been Paraffin. There is also a Taper stick which sits in the collar, the tail acts as a carrying handle.

Dimensions: H 5”, W 5 3/4, W 1 3/4”

About the maker;
The business took origin from the partnership between Joseph Clements and John Wellby at 57 King Street, Soho as Gold and Silver refiners and dealers. The partnership, founded in 1827, lasted until August 6, 1828, when was dissolved by mutual consent.

The activity was continued at the same address by John Wellby, who entered his first mark at Goldsmiths' Hall in 1834.
New marks were entered in 1863 by Daniel Wellby and John Henry Wellby. The firm, active at 20 Garrick Street, Covent Garden (1879), continued to expand its activity and in 1896/1897 was converted into a limited liability company under the name D & J Wellby Ltd. At that time the directors were Daniel Wellby, John Henry Wellby (d. 1917), Edward Henry Wellby and Howard Wellby (b.1867 - d.1934).