Post by Collector's Connection on Jul 29, 2006 1:31:40 GMT -5
Zippo Swap Meet Fires Up a Global Phenomenon
The 2006 Zippo/Case International Swap Meet brought 8,000 collectors from nearly 40 states and 14 countries including New Zealand, Italy, China, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France and Canada to Bradford, Pa., home of the Zippo Manufacturing Company. (PRNewsFoto/Zippo Manufacturing Company)
BRADFORD, PA UNITED STATES 07/20/2006
Thousands Migrate Across the World to Swap Treasures and Tales
BRADFORD, Pa., July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, a small Pennsylvania town is bursting at the seams with more than 8,000 people who have traveled from across the globe to celebrate their love of two American icons -- the Zippo lighter and the Case knife.
(Photo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060721/CLF005)
From Scotland to Seattle, Zippo and Case enthusiasts have migrated to
tiny Bradford, Pa., for the Zippo/Case International Swap Meet -- in fact, the crowd has more than doubled the rural town's population. The eighth biennial Swap Meet, which runs through tomorrow, is a splendor of sheer entertainment with lighter airbrushing demonstrations, knife cutting competitions, factory tours, whittling clinics, fireworks and more than 200 Zippo lighter and Case knife exhibitors.
During their visit, devoted Zippo fans bought, sold, swapped and shared tales about their prized collectibles. They also enjoyed the Zippo/Case Museum, which features rare collectibles, interactive exhibits and dedicated displays focusing on the two beloved American brands from Zippo Manufacturing Company and W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co., a Zippo subsidiary.
"The interest in this event has increased steadily since 1995,
particularly with international collectors, who travel from all over the world for an opportunity to purchase rare Zippo lighters and Case knives,"
said Greg Booth, President and CEO of Zippo and Chairman of the Board of Case. "Coming to Bradford gives them a chance to connect with other collectors and see where it all began."
Collecting Zippo lighters is a true, worldwide phenomenon. In 2001, Zippo began its own collectors club, Zippo Click, which has registered more than 10,000 members. Consider the additional 15 other lighter clubs worldwide -- including five in the U.S., two in England and one each in Austria, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Japan, South Africa, Switzerland and the Netherlands -- and one can quickly understand the volume of interest and excitement surrounding "Swap." The love of Zippo extends to cyberspace with online buzz at trendy Web sites such as MySpace and Yahoo, where Zippo talk groups share their passion for collecting.
"I just love Zippo lighters," says attendee Derrick Stainton, who
traveled in from Scotland and is the proud owner of one of the world's
largest Zippo pocket lighter collections. "I like to say I have three
important things in my life: my daughter, my job and Zippo. The only reason
Zippo falls after my job is because I need to work to support my collecting
hobby!"
About Zippo
Zippo Manufacturing Company, founded in 1932, is a leading global marketer of refillable windproof pocket and utility lighters with an unparalleled lifetime guarantee. Based in Bradford, Pa., the company and its 800 employees manufacture and distribute products to more than 120 countries. Zippo also owns W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company, one of America's oldest and finest knife manufacturers, and Zippo Fashion Italia,
maker of Italian fashion leather goods. For more information about Zippo, please visit zippo.com.
The 2006 Zippo/Case International Swap Meet brought 8,000 collectors from nearly 40 states and 14 countries including New Zealand, Italy, China, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France and Canada to Bradford, Pa., home of the Zippo Manufacturing Company. (PRNewsFoto/Zippo Manufacturing Company)
BRADFORD, PA UNITED STATES 07/20/2006
Thousands Migrate Across the World to Swap Treasures and Tales
BRADFORD, Pa., July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, a small Pennsylvania town is bursting at the seams with more than 8,000 people who have traveled from across the globe to celebrate their love of two American icons -- the Zippo lighter and the Case knife.
(Photo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060721/CLF005)
From Scotland to Seattle, Zippo and Case enthusiasts have migrated to
tiny Bradford, Pa., for the Zippo/Case International Swap Meet -- in fact, the crowd has more than doubled the rural town's population. The eighth biennial Swap Meet, which runs through tomorrow, is a splendor of sheer entertainment with lighter airbrushing demonstrations, knife cutting competitions, factory tours, whittling clinics, fireworks and more than 200 Zippo lighter and Case knife exhibitors.
During their visit, devoted Zippo fans bought, sold, swapped and shared tales about their prized collectibles. They also enjoyed the Zippo/Case Museum, which features rare collectibles, interactive exhibits and dedicated displays focusing on the two beloved American brands from Zippo Manufacturing Company and W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co., a Zippo subsidiary.
"The interest in this event has increased steadily since 1995,
particularly with international collectors, who travel from all over the world for an opportunity to purchase rare Zippo lighters and Case knives,"
said Greg Booth, President and CEO of Zippo and Chairman of the Board of Case. "Coming to Bradford gives them a chance to connect with other collectors and see where it all began."
Collecting Zippo lighters is a true, worldwide phenomenon. In 2001, Zippo began its own collectors club, Zippo Click, which has registered more than 10,000 members. Consider the additional 15 other lighter clubs worldwide -- including five in the U.S., two in England and one each in Austria, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Japan, South Africa, Switzerland and the Netherlands -- and one can quickly understand the volume of interest and excitement surrounding "Swap." The love of Zippo extends to cyberspace with online buzz at trendy Web sites such as MySpace and Yahoo, where Zippo talk groups share their passion for collecting.
"I just love Zippo lighters," says attendee Derrick Stainton, who
traveled in from Scotland and is the proud owner of one of the world's
largest Zippo pocket lighter collections. "I like to say I have three
important things in my life: my daughter, my job and Zippo. The only reason
Zippo falls after my job is because I need to work to support my collecting
hobby!"
About Zippo
Zippo Manufacturing Company, founded in 1932, is a leading global marketer of refillable windproof pocket and utility lighters with an unparalleled lifetime guarantee. Based in Bradford, Pa., the company and its 800 employees manufacture and distribute products to more than 120 countries. Zippo also owns W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company, one of America's oldest and finest knife manufacturers, and Zippo Fashion Italia,
maker of Italian fashion leather goods. For more information about Zippo, please visit zippo.com.