During an prestigious motorsport event in 1996, Claudio Mazzi had the opportunity to meet the President of Zippo Italia. Intrigued by Mazzi's artwork, the President proposed that they start a new joint venture: “ Zippo by Mazzi “.

After the overwhelming response of a select group of Italian collectors to his first Zippos, Mazzi's inaugural collection was offered in the 1996 Zippo Italia catalogue.

In 1996, in Bradford, PA, birthplace of the Zippo lighter, Mazzi's entry took first place at the ZIPPO SWAP MEET. During the official auction some pieces brought record figures.

After this success the newborn Zippo Museum in Bradford, decided to set aside a space dedicated to Mazzi.

2000 was a crucial year for Mazzi: Zippo Manufacturing Company him to the Swap Meet in Bradford. During live demonstrations, collectors from all over the world had the opportunity to observe his work first hand and gain greater appreciation of his unparalleled talent.

2001 marked the birth of ZIPPO CLUB ITALIA and Zippo by Mazzi became the official lighters reserved to the members of the Club.

In 2006 Mazzi signed an agrement with Zippo Manufacturing Company to create a series of original paintings that would be printed on the lighter with the new “Pad Print “ technology. The newly printed Zippo By Mazzi were distributed all over the world with great success.

Since January 2008 Zippo Club Italia started distribution of Zippo by Mazzi collections and now the collectoions are available for purchase by joining the Club.

Since 2008 Zippo by Mazzi are characterized by the “ Zippo Certified Product “ logo printed on their back This logo guarantees the authenticity of the product, backed by the Zippo guarantee.