A Complete eBay Buyer's Guide to Collectible Colibri Lighters
Since Julius Lowenthal founded Colibri in 1928, the company has produced a steady stream of sophisticated butane lighters for cigars and cigarettes. Learn how to identify vintage Colibri lighters and choose from the selection of affordable options on eBay to find the ones right for you.
Types of Colibri lightersThe two basic types of lighters Colibri manufactures are tabletop and pocket lighters. Within these two types, Colibri makes three different varieties based on their method of action. Manual vintage Colibri lighters use a flint and wheel to create a spark that produces a flame over a glass valve. The spark can also ignite a wick. Automatic vintage Colibri lighters operate with only a push of a button. Semi-automatic vintage Colibri lighters have a flint and wheel, but the wheel also serves to open the cover over the source of fuel.
Styles of Colibri lightersWithin the various functional types of Colibri lighters are a wide variety of styles and designs. One way Colibri lighters are differentiated is by the flame they each produce. You can find Colibri lighters with a single, double, or triple flame as well as with a soft flame or pipe flame. Vintage Colibri lighters can be distinguished by the material from which they're made, such as ceramic or metal. Colibri lighters can also be distinguished by their design, with unisex and women's varieties. Some Colibri lighters have built-in cigar cutters, as well. Another way to browse and collect Colibri lighters is by collection. The company creates several collections of lighters all similar in some element of their function or design. Colibri lighter collections include:
- The Quasar Series - Including the Quasar
- The Classic or C-Series - Including the Julius, Pacific Air, EVO, Allure, and Sherlock
- The Tech or T-Series - Including the Slide, Daytona, Apex, Falcon, Boss, and Enterprise
While it can be hard to find vintage Colibri lighters in new condition, they are out there. Some even come in their original box. Other vintage Colibri lighters can only be found used. Whether or not a new version of a Colibri lighter is available, you may still choose to buy a used vintage Colibri lighter if it's in decent condition and lacks any significant scratches, marks, or other signs of wear. If you're planning on purchasing a used Colibri lighter from eBay, just make sure it's described in the listing as being in working condition.
Content provided for informational purposes only. eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by Colibri.