Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Sarome, Ronson Crown imitation, ca. 1953


This Sarome table lighter is probably the best example of a fine imitation of the Ronson Crown. It has even a better construction than the original. The Sarome wick lighter was manufactured between 1953 and 1954 in Japan.

Sarome Co., Ltd. was founded in March 1940 by Kunijiro Segawa in Tokyo, Japan and it was specializing mainly in manufacturing toys. The first cigarette lighters were manufactured in February 1952. Since 1955 butane gas lighters were added to the company's portfolio. The Sarome company still exist and is well known for its high quality luxury cigarette lighters.

The base of the lighter as well the lighter insert are chrome plate. The lighter insert, in opposite to the Ronson Crown, is removable which makes it more user friendly regarding its maintenance. A very good quality of craftsmanship in terms of quality. Not many of these lighters were made which makes them a very rare find.

It is worth to know that SAROME means 'god of flames'.

The bottom of the base is padded with green felt.

Marked on the bottom of the lighter insert:

SGW. MFG. CO.
SAROME
RTM. NO. 29659
SUPER LIGHTER


Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: very rare

Value for good–mint condition: $65.00–120.00 (approx €45.00–85.00)

Weight: 210 grams (0,46 pounds)

Dimensions:
  • height: 6.0 cm (2.36")
  • width: 4.5 cm (1.8")
  • depth: 7.5 cm (3.0")

3 comments:

  1. I was just given one of these by my girlfriends grandfather.

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  2. Very cool. I found this in the house we purchased. I tought because it was a copy made in Japan that it was cheap. This is worth more than the lighter they copied.

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  3. I have a lighter that looks just like this except that it has no distinguishing markings other than "made in japan" on the bottom of the base and the insert. It is not a butane lighter but rather a regular fluid lighter. Can anyone help me determine what I have?

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