Vtg 1950\'s Evans Automatic Lighter Thunderbird Hotel Casino Las Vegas Enamel For Sale

Up for sale is a stunning, premium American-made slice of \"Golden Era\" Las Vegas gaming history. Crafted by the renowned Evans Case Company in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, between 1950 and 1955, this \"Banner\" style flat pocket lighter features a vibrant, multi-colored enameled logo for the legendary, long-demolished Thunderbird Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip (the hotel opened in 1948 and maintained its Thunderbird name and Navajo theme until 1976). The artwork is genuine mid-century fired glass enamel—poured directly into a recessed tray stamped into the metal case—giving the graphic a beautiful, deep gloss that will never peel or tear like a cheap decal. The lighter is structurally gorgeous, utilizing Evans\' signature heavy gold-tone plating with elegant, deep engine-turned vertical ribbing running along the outer edges and reverse face. Mechanically, the lighter showcases a fully automatic, spring-loaded \"one-motion\" plunger trigger system that snaps the snuffer cap open and strikes a spark simultaneously with a single compression. While there are minor pocket scuffs along the gold-toned surfaces consistent with gentle handling over the last seventy years, it has been beautifully preserved without any aggressive cleaning, and the automatic action remains crisp and firm. This is an essential, high-crossover display piece perfect for advanced collectors of early casino memorabilia and premium mid-century American lighters.
Shipping to run $11.00 in the US and $35.00 to Europe or Japan.
Good luck & God Bless!!!