Abstract: A compact form of torch which can resemble a lipstick in size and shape so that it can be carried in a handbag comprises a base rotatably supporting a sleeve to move torch between a retracted non-working position and a projecting position. A battery holder is axially movable by engagement of pins projecting from the holder into spiral grooves in the sleeve. A bulb holder is resiliently urged away from the battery holder and constrained to move axially corresponding to the movement of the battery holder except that the bulb holder reaches a stop position just before the battery holder reaches the projecting position so that slight further axial movement of the battery holder causes contact between the lamp carried by the lamp carrier and a battery carried by the battery holder to energize the lamp in the projecting position of the torch.