Antique Hand Warmer

Just in time for summer, right?  Ah well...I can wait. Maybe. On the other hand, I'm probably dorky enough to fire this thing in April.

The way these things work is pretty cool. Basically, you just put some lighter fluid inside, and light it.  Replace the top, put it in a velvet wrapper and hold it in your hands.  Fire hazard? Fo sho,' but it is cool.   This one in particular comes from occupied Japan and dates from the late 1940s-mid 1950s.

OK, fine  I have no real need for this. But I liked it (see post below) and that's enough. Right? I love it...see I can use this as a prop in my classes when discussing Post War Japan. See?  That's called 'shopping for fun and education,' and that is a noble thing.