Pair of Vintage Petrol Lighters: 1936 Berlin Olympic Rollo and Mid-Century Polo Lighter

This pair consists of two distinct vintage petrol lighters. The first is a rare 1936 Berlin Olympic Games souvenir lighter manufactured by Rollo. It features a recti-linear body with a textured, possibly wrap-around finish, prominently displaying the iconic five Olympic rings and the text 'Olympia 1936'. The lighter shows significant signs of age and wear, including a visible crack and surface discoloration, consistent with an item of this historical period. The second item is a mid-century Polo brand lighter, characterized by its chrome or silver-tone metallic finish. It features an Art Deco-influenced engine-turned design with vertical striping and a central rectangular cartouche left blank for engraving. This lighter appears more robust in construction with a horizontal plunger mechanism. Both items show a developed patina and surface oxidation typical of mid-20th-century metal collectibles. The Olympics lighter represents a significant historical memento from the XI Olympiad, while the Polo lighter showcases the refined industrial design typical of the 1940s-1950s.

Based on a visual examination of the provided images, this lot comprises two distinct vintage petrol lighters with divergent values. The primary item of interest is the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games souvenir lighter by Rollo. This piece holds specific historical significance as memorabilia from the XI Olympiad. However, its condition is a major detracting factor. I have noted significant surface wear, discoloration, and, most critically, a visible crack in the body wrap. In the world of tobacciana, condition is paramount; while this is a genuine period piece, the structural damage relegates it from a 'collector's grade' item to a 'filler' or historical curiosity, severely capping its market ceiling. Authentic examples in pristine condition can fetch upwards of $300, but this example struggles to reach that tier. The second piece is a mid-century Polo brand lighter. It exhibits a standard Art Deco-inspired engine-turned design. It appears to be a functional, mass-produced item from the 1950s. While it has a pleasing aesthetic, Polo lighters are relatively common and generally trade around the $20-$40 mark unless they possess unique provenance or precious metal casings, neither of which is evident here. The current market for tobacciana is stable but selective. Buyers prioritize mint condition and rare mechanical variations. The historical context of the 1936 Olympics keeps this lot desirable despite the damage, but mostly for historical documentarians rather than high-end investors. To provide a fully guaranteed authentication, particularly for the Olympic lighter, I would need to physically inspect the hinge mechanism and the base stamps to rule out modern reproductions, though the wear patterns appear consistent with genuine age.