[ooo-ribay]

I collect the usual memorabilia of the NY and SF Giants...pins, figurals, pennants, nodders, etc...but I really like the oddball stuff. I think this lighter qualifies.

The "perpetual (1950-77) calendar" lighters were originally made in Japan by Chadwick, in 1950 we can presume. 90% of them had a 'Ground Speed Index" on the opposite side. Some people refer to them as "Pilot's lighters." You can find those on ebay. I don't think Chadwick ever made another year(s) e.g. 1951-78, 1952-79, etc. I think they were maxed at 28 years because there's a wheel you turn, with years on it.

The same perpetual calendars were later(?) made by Zenith, Penguin and Vulcan. I have other lighters by those companies. On some of these, the Ground Speed Index was replaced with other things. It's odd that they used the same calendar even though some were made 10-12 years later (Candlestick Park, 1962 World Hockey Championships). It's also weird that some were probably produced in bulk (NYC souvenir) while others advertised your local Texaco station! Besides the ones shown, I saw lighters advertising Air-Flo bowling balls, the NYK (Japan) shipping line and several different SF tourist attractions. I wonder where they sent the lighters to have the different backs done...