Marilyn Horne Museum to offer exclusive Zippo lighter

Working in collaboration with Zippo Manufacturing Co., the Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center has commissioned a limited edition lighter, which is now available for pre-order.

This exclusive lighter will be limited to only 100 numbered pieces, and one artist's proof, which has been reserved for Marilyn Horne herself.

It is only the second time Horne's likeness has been featured on a Zippo lighter. The last Marilyn Horne Zippo lighter was a limited edition released in October of 2000 to commemorate Marilyn's return to Bradford and the renaming of Parker Place to Marilyn Horne Way.

“This collector's piece brings together two Bradford legends -- Marilyn Horne and Zippo, the most famous lighter in the world,” said museum manager Matthew Hileman.

Featuring the iconic portrait of Marilyn Horne at her La Scala debut in 1969, the lighter is a two-sided color image imprint on a gunmetal black base. Retailing at just under fifty dollars, the lighter will include a black velvet gift box, information card, and a 3-D suspension display box. The lighters are anticipated to begin shipping to customers in early April.

“Collectors close to Zippo have already begun reserving these,” Hileman said. “More than 15 have already been sold and we anticipate the remaining 85 will go very quickly.”

Anyone interested in pre-ordering these limited pieces should visit marilynhorne.org/shop and follow the instructions. If any pieces from the edition remain after the pre-order period is over in April, they will be available for purchase in the museum's gift shop.

The Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center is a division of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The museum's mission is to further interest in the art of opera and to inspire and educate new generations on the importance of art, culture and philanthropy through the life, achievements, and personal archives of renowned mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne.

The 3,400 square-foot exhibition space features 19 interactive exhibits, a documentary film, costumes, and artifacts from the personal archives of Marilyn Horne. Open daily. Admission is free. For more information, contact Hileman at hileman@pitt.edu or 814-362-7990.