Ronson Crown Table Lighter, 1936-1954

Ronson Crown is the most popular and probably the longest produced Ronson table lighter ever. It was first manufactured in 1936. There are two versions of the Crown. First produced between 1936 and 1948 (Newark, N.J., USA) has a radius on the top of the snuffer cap next to the flint wheel. (see pic. 2) The second (see pic. 1) one has a flat top snuffer cap and was produced from 1949 till 1954 (Canada, England, USA). There was also a butane version of the Ronson Crown lighter marketed in the 1960s called Ronson Varaflame Crown.

This wick lighter is handy and silver plate. The earliest versions of Ronson Crown had a red felt pad around the base rim, the others have a green one.

This lighter was sold in very different configurations after 1949: with cigarette box, urn, tray and even candle holder set. The newer version was also available gold plated and rhodium plated which are rare.

This model and its design was often copied by companies situated in Occupied Japan and Japan (marketed under such names as Baltic, Hilton, Sarome "Crown" and some others).

Marked on the bottom of the base:

(1)
RONSON U.S.PAT.RE. NO.19,023. ART METAL.WKS.INC NEWARK, N.J.U.S.A. US Patent No 19,023 Art Metal Work Inc.Newark USA

(2)
RONSON (R) NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A. U.S. PATENT.RE.NO.19,023 CANADA PATS.-288,148-289,889 RONSON "CROWN" TRADEMARK

There are also other options available - 10 more at least.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: common (rhodium and gold plate finishes are rare)

Value for good–mint condition: $15.00–45.00 (approx €10.00–30.00)

Weight: 290 grams (0,64 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.2 cm (2.4")
• width: 4.5 cm (1.8")
• depth: 7.5 cm (3.0")

The Ronson Crown was seen in the Humphrey Bogart movie Deadline U.S.A. (1952).

 

Evans, Imperial Egg, 1953

The Evans Imperial Egg was a very popular table lighter marketed in the 50's. It was manufactured by Evans Case Company in their plant in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, USA and its retail price was $15.00. This horizontal egg opens to reveal a concealed Evans cigarette lighter. The egg has a delicate high-fired enamel combined with Renaissance metal (brass) treatment in an antique finish.

Different form of base and trim. Was available in very various finishes. The most popular were golden and silver satin, white (see picture, four-legged base), pink, yellow, red, green, paste straw and blue delicate enamel.

The Imperial egg is often a very pleasant collector's item because of its beauty and a lot of different nuances. Matching ashtrays and candy dishes were also made. Only on the lighter insert is an Evans mark.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon-rare

Value for good–mint condition: $65.00–120.00 (approx €50.00–90.00)

Weight: 150 grams (0,33 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.5 cm (2.6")
• width: 8.0 cm (3.2")
• depth: 5.3 cm (2.1")

Ronson Regal, 1936

This heavy silver plate table lighter was first manufactured in 1936 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. The production ceased short after that in 1937. This wick lighter looks very stately and proud - definitely one of my favorite Ronson lighters.

The base has a green felt pad and the silver plate is protected by a transparent lacquer which often is deteriorated.

It is worth to mention that there are two different table lighters that Ronson give the Regal name to - the other one was manufactured in 1957 and was chromium-plated or brass-plated.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the base:

RONSON (R)
NEWARK.N.J.U.S.A.
U.S PATENT RE. NO. 19023
CANADA PATS.-288.148-289.889
RONSON
"REGAL"
TRADE MARK

Scarcity: rare

Value for good–mint condition: $150.00–200.00 (approx €115.00–150.00)

Weight: 330 grams (0,73 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.7 cm (2.6")
• width: 4.8 cm (1.9")
• depth: 8.3 cm (3.3")

Ronson Diana, 1949

Ronson Diana is a silver-plated polished and satin finished petrol table lighter made from zink. Manufactured in England, Canada and USA from 1949 till 1955. The lighter has a rectangle monogram shield. There is also a version without the monogram shield which is rare.

The lighter looks bigger in the picture than it is in the reality. The base is padded with green felt and the silver plate is protected by a transparent lacquer.

It is worth to know that the origin of the name Diana comes from Roman mythology. Diana was the goddess of the hunt and later also of the moon and its light.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the base:

RONSON "DIANA"
NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A.,
U.S. PAT. NO. 9023,
OTHER U.S. AND FOR.
PATS. PDG.
D 184401

or

RONSON
DIANA
RONSON TORONTO CANADA
CANADA PAT.449.159
JUNE 15.1948
OTHER PATS PDG
U.S.PATPE 13.02
2.481.95
D.54.40
SILVER PLATE
ZINK

or

RONSON
"DIANA"
TRADE MARKS
MADE IN ENGLAND
BRIT. PAT.
621570
R.D. NO8.
851068
858628

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $25.00–50.00 (approx €19.00–38.00)

Weight: 240 grams (0,53 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 5.0 cm (2.0")
• width: 7.0 cm (2.8")
• depth: 3.2 cm (1.3")

Dunhill Tinder Pistol Lighter, 1936

The Dunhill Tinder Pistol is a fine example of an extraordinary table lighter which is in the shape of a flintlock tinder (gun) pistol from the XVIII century. It is made of brass and it has a antique brass finish and a nice oak slab handle (butt). The lighter has a very precise trigger activated mechanism - the top opens and sparks when the trigger is pulled. The Dunhill Tinder Pistol wick lighter was manufactured both in England and USA from ca. 1936 until the early 1960's.

It is worth to know, that the earliest lighters were actually tinder pistols invented in the mid-seventeenth century (example). They were made from broken guns and used the barrel to store tinder instead of gunpowder. The working mechanism was simple though not very save to use at home - the trigger released a mechanism that struck a piece of iron and directed the sparks onto the tinder which ignite.

The Dunhill Tinder Pistol Lighter was replicated in Japan - it was manufactured in the 1950s and was on the first spot indistinguishable from the original. Fortunately, the marking "Japan" on the bottom dissolves all doubts.

It is also worth to know that Dunhill manufactured also a gas (butane) version of this lighter in the late 1960s which is nowadays rare to find.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the base:

DUNHILL
TINDER PISTOL
MADE IN U.S.A.
PAT. APL'D FOR

or

DUNHILL
TINDER PISTOL
MADE IN ENGLAND
PATENT NO. 592139

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for good–mint condition: $175.00–250.00 (approx €120.00–190.00)

Weight: 313 grams (0.69 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 10.0 cm (3.0")
• width: 6.0 cm (2.36")
• depth: 14.3 cm (4.0")

Ronson Decor Table Lighter, 1955

The Ronson Decor is an interesting example of the Eames era and the influence of the space/UFO exploration of these times. It was first manufactured in 1955 in Newark, N.J. in United States and the production ceased two years later. The lighter insert and the base is in shiny brass finish which often is partly worn of.

It is a futuristic wick lighter in a shape of a flying saucer with a three leg base. It has a special feature - the fabric under the transparent plastic rim can be easily removed and changed in order to match the decor of its close environment. The Ronson Decor was sold in at least two different versions which mainly differ from each other by the fabric and the style of the writing on the underside of the base.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the underside:

(R) RONSON
Decor
NEWARK, N. J. U.S.A.
U.S. PATENT D-175-564

or

Decor (R) RONSON CORP. (C) NEWARK, N. J. U.S.A.

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: NaN zł–80.00 (approx NaN zł–60.00)

Weight: 240 grams (0,53 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.7 cm (3.0")
• width: 10.3 cm (4.0")
• depth: 10.3 cm (4.0")

Here is the patent for this lighter.

Ronson Decanter Deluxe, 1947

This Ronson Decanter looks different than other table lighters from the yesteryear era - like oil lamps from the late XVIII century or, which is most obvious, like a decanter from After the fall of the Roman Empire which were made mainly of bronze, silver, gold, or earthenware. There were four different types of Decanter lighters - the one in the picture is the youngest one which is quite common nowadays. It was manufactured from 1947 to late 50's both in USA and Canada (Toronto). This wick lighter has a radiused rim on the top and an interesting berry and leaf pattern on the boulby base.

Decanter is a handy lighter covered with a thick layer of silver. The lighter looks bigger in the picture than it is in the reality. The base is padded with green felt and the silver plate is protected by a transparent lacquer which often is partly deteriorated (see picture).

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the underside:

RONSON (R)
NEWARK,N.J.U.S.A.
U.S. PATENT RE.NO.19023
CANADA PATS. 288,148-289,889
RONSON
"DECANTER"
TRADE MARK

Scarcity: common

Value for very good–mint condition: $35.00–50.00 (approx €25.00–45.00)

Weight: 265 grams (0,58 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 11.3 cm (4.4")
• width: 6.0 cm (2.4")
• depth: 6.0 cm (2.4")

Ronson Queen Anne Table Lighter, 1936-1960

Ronson Queen Anne was a very popular wick lighter, especially in the United States in the 40's and 50's. It was named after Queen Anne of Great Britain, who reigned from 1702 to 1714. This model was first manufactured in 1936 in Newark, New Jersey, USA, than also in the United Kingdom. The production ceased in 1961 when the new Queen Anne with the Varaflame insert was introduced into the world market.

The lighter has a very robust construction which made it very durable and widespread. It is silver-plated and the base is padded with green felt. The lighter has three different patterns: a tulip scroll around the top, pearl like bead around the middle and fan like pattern going down the edge. Good work of craftsmanship - a not expansive must have for your collection.

There are two different versions of this wick lighter. First produced between 1936 and 1949 (USA, Canada, England) had a radius on the top of the snuffer cap next to the flint wheel. The second one had a flat top snuffer cap and was produced from 1950 till 1961 (Canada, England, USA). The Queen Anne was advertised as: "A gift that will last a lifetime". The newer Queen Anne was also available in rhodium plate finish which is rare.

The Mk2 version made in Great Britain differs in some details from the Canadian and American versions.

Many rip-offs were produced in the 1950s, mainly in Japan like the Kensington Omsco Lite. 

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Markings on the underside (examples):

RONSON (R)
NEWARK.N.J.U.S.A.
U.S. PATENT 2.481.195
(R)
RONSON
QUEEN ANNE

or

REG: No 850882
RONSON
MADE IN ENGLAND
BRITISH PATENT 291695
US. PAT.RE.19023-CANADA PAT. 28814
RONSON
"Queen Anne"
TRADE MARK

Scarcity: common; rhodium plate (uncommon)

Value for good–mint condition: $15.00–60.00 (approx €12.00–40.00)

Weight: 355 grams (0,78 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.5 cm (2.56")
• width: 8.0 cm (3.14")
• depth: 4.4 cm (1.73")

Ronson Varaflame, Queen Anne, 1961

Ronson Queen Anne was probably the best selling table lighter in the world. It was manufactured since the late '30s - first as a wick lighter than in the '60s the design was changed and the Varaflame fitment with fingertip flame adjustment was introduced.

This described butane lighter was manufactured for approx 20 years from 1961 to 1980 only in England. This was one of only few table lighters which despite of rapid changing trends kept its XVIII century Anglican style. The base of the lighter is made from a heavy metal covered by a thick layer of silver. The base is padded with green felt and the silver plate is protected by a transparent lacquer which often is partly deteriorated (spots, white, yellow or brown tint). The lighter insert – Ronson Varaflame – is chrome-plated, unfortunately, not as durable as the wick lighter (no gas leaks etc.).

The Queen Anne was also available in gold-color finish.

Type: butane (gas) lighter

Writing on the underside:

Ronson Varaflame
Made in England
Reg Trade Mark
Patented RD DES

Scarcity: common (silver plate), rare (gold plate)

Value for very good–mint condition (silver plate finish): $15.00–40.00 (approx €12.00–30.00)
Value for very good–mint condition (gold plate finish): $30.00–60.00 (approx €22.00–45.00)

Weight: 405 grams (0,9 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.0 cm (2.36")
• width: 8.6 cm (3.38")
• depth: 4.4 cm (1.73")

Dunhill Tankard / Bumper Table Lighter, 1949

The Dunhill Tankard also known as Bumper (beer stein figural) was first manufactured in 1949 in England by Alfred Dunhill ltd. This solid vintage petrol automatic table lighter in the form of a an Antique Tankard was manufactured in many different finishes:

• polished chrome (uncommon), 
• matted chrome (rare), 
• silver plate (rare),
• copper finish (rare). 

Since 1953 it was also available covered in pig, seal, lizard or crocodile skin (rare).
The Dunhill Bumper ignites automatically when the lid is opened. Very efficient mechanism – works at every single try. The quality of this lighter is high. The base is padded with green felt.

The picture below presents the Dunhill Tankard with a closed mechanism. The older version has an open mechanism.It was marketed in a red card box.

In 1954 a Japanese manufacturer Tomo tried to copy the Dunhill Bumper and marketed an interesting example of it. The table lighter was signed on the bottom: Tomo MADE IN JAPAN PAT. P. 6172.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the underside:

dunhill
PROV. PAT. NO. 32981/49.
REG. DES. APPL. NO. 861972
MADE IN ENGLAND

Scarcity: uncommon-rare

Value for good–mint condition: 379 zł ($125.00)–250.00 (approx 415 zł (€100.00)–200.00)

Weight: 305 grams (0.67 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.8 cm (3.5")
• width: 7.5 cm (3.0")
• depth: 5.5 cm (2.2")

Evans & Stylebuilt Accessories, Angel, 1955

Stylebuilt Accessories Ltd. (New York) in cooperation with Evans presented in 1955 a very beautiful lighter. Evans delivered the lighter insert and Stylbuilt prepared the base. Stylebuilt is a family operated company which exists on the market for more than 75 years. It is famous for producing fine traditional handcrafted gift-ware and luxury bath accessories. Everything they made has a unique style, including this wick table lighter. The quantity of this lighter is not exactly known though it did not excess 500 pieces which makes it very sought after.

The rounded base has a dainty flower design and the high lights are two angels which are holding the globe. It is made from a silver metal covered with a very thin layer of gold-paint.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the underside of the base:

STYLEBUILT

N.Y.
ACCESSORIES

Writing on the bottom of the lighter:

EVANS USA

Scarcity: very rare

Value for good–mint condition: $440.00–760.00 (approx €340.00–590.00)

Weight: 175 grams (0,39 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.5 cm (2.9")
• width: 6.4 cm (2.5")
• depth: 6.4 cm (2.2")

Ronson Melrose, 1953

Ronson Melrose was first manufactured in 1953 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. It is a solid oval-shaped petrol (wick) lighter with an interesting ornate band of little roses and leaves which encircle the center of the base. Made in Art Deco style.

This quadruple silver-plated table lighter was based on the Adonis fitment. Two finishes are known – satin and polished (see picture) silver. Relatively hard to find in excellent or mint condition. The base is padded with green felt and the silver plate is protected by a transparent lacquer which often is partly deteriorated and the silver tarnishes.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the bottom:

RONSON (R)
Newark. N.J. U.S.A.
S. PATENT 2.481.195
RONSON
MELROSE

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for good–mint condition: $40.00–80.00 (approx €30.00–60.00)

Weight: 355 grams (0,78 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.8 cm (2.67")
• width: 8.5 cm (3.5")
• depth: 5.3 cm (2")

Ronson De-Light Tabourette Table Lighter, 1928

The De-Light Ronson Tabourette was first manufactured in 1928 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. The production was ceased in 1933. It was the first Ronson table lighter along with the Banjo Tablelighter.

This Tabourette Table Lighter was available for the mass-consumer in chromium plate (model no. 12417) and in black leather (model no. 12280). The chromium plate Tabourette had a diamond-shaped monogram shield in the center (see photo). The second model covered partly with black leather had an oval monogram shield.

The table lighter was also marketed in the luxury segment - made of solid sterling sliver in three designs:

• barley design (model no. 12273),
• basket weave design (model no. 12274),
• fluted design (model no. 12275).

All three above mentioned models had a rectangular monogram shield and are very rare.

The base of the table lighter is padded with green felt.

The Tabourette was also marketed in various sets like the "Ronson Smoker Set" (model no. 13033) which consists of a removable Tabourette, pottery bowl and marbleized base. See the illustration below retrieved from the Ronson De-Light Catalog from 1931.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare–very rare

Writing on the underside:

PAT.JAN.17.1928

RONSON

DE-LIGHT

PAT'S P'D'G.

Value for good–mint condition: $125.00–750.00 (approx €100.00–550.00)

Weight: 105 grams (0,23 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 10.5 cm (4.13")
• width: 6.2 cm (2.4")
• depth: 3.4 cm (1.3")