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Image Not Available for USS HENDERSON Zippo lighter box
USS HENDERSON Zippo lighter box
Image Not Available for USS HENDERSON Zippo lighter box

USS HENDERSON Zippo lighter box

Manufacturer
Date1957
Object number00054803
NameBox
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 82 × 60 × 14 mm, 12 g
Copyright© Zippo Manufacturing Company
ClassificationsTools and equipment
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Jeff Allan
DescriptionA cardboard box for a souvenir Zippo lighter from the USS HENDERSON (lighter 00054802). Handwritten on the inside of the box reads 'Chief Jacobson 1957'. The box contains the original warranty and instruction manual.HistoryThis commemorative lighter for USS HENDERSON was part of collection belonging to Vanessa Roberson. Her story is told here by her grandson, Jeff Allan: "My grandmother spent her last 10 years in a fog of dementia, but I could still squeeze a memory from her, even a cackle, if I mentioned the navy balls of the '50s. They were the brightest spots in her life. She lived in Sydney's King Cross, just minutes away from where the navy - and visiting navies - used to dock their ships at the city's naval base. The excitement and glamour of an incoming fleet brightened an otherwise poverty stricken life. Vanessa Roberson, known as Zena to her family, Van to her friends, grew up in country New South Wales. Born in 1912, she married early and spent her days cooking for the farm workers on her property. She would rise early, collect eggs and milk, prepare breakfast for 20 men and take it out to the back paddocks, returning only in time to begin the process over again for a cooked lunch. The rest of her time was spent washing, cleaning and looking after her only son. Meanwhile, her husband openly slept around town and had little time for her. At some stage, in her late 30's, Vanessa left. She arrived at Sydney's Central station with a son under one arm and a wooden mantle clock under the other.SignificanceThis box is part of an unusual and comprehensive collection of mainly US Navy (but including RCN, RAN, RN and Matson line) ship souvenirs, letters, book matches, badges and invitations documents Navy ship visits to Sydney in the period between 1950 and 1980. The collection includes souvenirs from USN vessels serving in the Vietnam War that visited Sydney for maintenance, repair and rest and recreation.

The preponderance of souvenir cigarette lighters and matches indicate the status of tobacco smoking as an acceptable and even desrirable social habit of this period. Many of the lighters are the American Zippo brand which was used as a marketing device and souvenir by many American companies and entities. They are collectable and are considered to significant in the history of US product design.