Hy Glo & Frank M. Whiting, Crown, ca. 1932

The Hy Glo & Frank M. Whiting lighter was made in the early 1930s. Hy Glo Products Co. Owosso, Michigan U.S.A. provided only the small sterling wick lighter insert marked: Hy Glo MADE IN U.S.A. Hy Glo went out of the lighter business in 1949 due to a fire that destroyed the whole factory complex.

The lighter was sold alone - without a matching ashtray or cigarette urn like the older brother. The lighter is made of glass and silver sterling (925). The lighter has a relatively heavy removable cap (top cover) made from an alloy and silver-plated

Worth to know is that the Frank M. Whiting was founded in 1878 in North Attleboro, Massachusetts by the son of William Whiting, the founder of the Whiting Manufacturing. In 1895, the company was converted to a stock company under the name F. M. WHITING & Co. In 1896, the firm's name was changed to FRANK. M. WHITING & Co. In 1897 the company was incorporated and later in the 1924 was purchased by the Elmore Silver Company of Meriden, CT. Their line included sterling silver flatware, hollowware, novelties, souvenir spoons, etc. The brand was on the market till 1940.

Marked on the silver:

FRANK M. WHITING & CO.
STERLING

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $40.00–70.00 (approx €30.00–50.00)

Weight: 162 grams (0.36)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.2 cm (2.4")
• diameter: 5.8 cm (2.3")

T. Kullander & Evans Table Lighter, 1954

This extremely rare table lighter was manufactured by KULLANDER SILVERSMEDEN TORE in 1954 in BORĹS, Sweden. The company prospered from 1938 to 1976. It manufactured sterling and silver-plated flatware and hollowware mainly for the Swedish market.The base of the lighter is made of silver – probably 830 grade of silver. It is weighted and marked. The lighter has a round base and feels very robust.

The lighter insert was provided by Evans (USA). It is made of brass and is silver electroplated.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Marked on the bottom:

Scarcity: extremely rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $250.00–400.00 (€175–280)

Weight: 260 grams (0,57 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 9.3 cm (3.66")
• diameter: 6.3 cm (2.5")

Tiffany & Co Witchball, 1956

The Witchball table lighter was made by Tiffany & Co. between 1956 and 1958 in London, England. This figural wick lighter presents a witch ball which have been very popular since the 18th century in England. Witch balls appeared later in the 19th century in other European countries as well as in America. The function of witch balls was to ward off evil spirits, witch's spells or ill fortune.

Witch balls integrated with lighters were quite popular in the 1950s. Very alike to the Tiffany's lighter is the Witchball manufactured by Richard Comyns (silverware, active since 1920 in London) in cooperation with the British lighter manufacturer - Rolstar.

The unweighted round base of the Witchball lighter is made of sterling - 925 grade of silver. It is also marked on the bottom:

T&Co

(silver hallmarks)

Witchball
Tiffany & Co
ENGLAND
STERLING

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $100.00–150.00 (approx €70.00–100.00)

Weight: approx. 250 grams (0.56 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.6 cm (3.00")
• diameter: 6.9 cm (2.75")

This post was published owing to Charlotte. Thank you!

Ronson Jubilee Set, 1954

The Ronson Jubilee Set was manufactured only in 1954 in the industrial works in Newark (N.J., United States). The set consists of a lighter and a matching cigarette holder. Both are made of sterling silver and have weighted bases.

The lighter has a removable Ronson Essex fitment. It is silver-plated.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Both, the lighter and the cigarette urn are marked on the bottom:

STERLING

(R)
RONSON
JUBILEEWEIGHTED

The lighter is additionaly marked with:

NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A.

U.S. PAT.

PEND.

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition (set): $160.00–250.00 (€110–175)

Weight:

• lighter – 245 grams (0,54 pounds)
• cigarette holder – 58 grams (0,13 pounds)

Dimensions:

1. Lighter

• height: 9.7 cm (3.8")
• diameter: 5.9 cm (2.3")

2. Cigarette holder

• height: 7.3 cm (2.9")
• diameter: 5.9 cm (2.3")

KW 650 G, ca. 1935

The KW type 650 G was first manufactured by Karl Wieden (KW) in 1935 in Germany. The production of this type ceased in 1953. It was a very successful and robust semi-automatic table lighter produced in various finishes.

The pictures on the right presents an example of the KW 650 G. Its body is covered with a thin layer of black paint in which a picture of a horse is scratched out.

The KW 650 G was available also in other finishes: silver, silver plate and gold plate.

The removable lighter insert is a standard nickel plate KW in normal size. There were also available smaller units in the size 3/4 and 1/2 of the normal KW (see dimensions).

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Marked on the underside of the lighter base:

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for good – mint condition (dependent on finish): $100.00–400.00 (approx €55.00–220.00)

Weight: 260 grams (0.57 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.2 cm (2.83")
• width: 8.4 cm (3.3")
• length: 2.8 cm (1.1")

KW Capri H, 1958

This Capri table lighter was first manufactured by Karl Wieden (KW) in 1958 in Germany. The production ceased in the early 1960s. It was one of the first gas (butane) lighters made by KW. It had a very simplistic angular design.

This automatic table lighter was available in different finishes: silver, nickel plated etc. The picture on the right shows a KW Capri in a rectangle openwork base in floral design. On both sides a monogram shield was present (see picture). The base of the lighter was made of 800 grade of silver. The base is not weighted. Marked on the side: 800 H.

The removable lighter insert is a standard nickel plate KW Capri.

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Marked on the underside of the lighter insert: KW KAWEE
Scarcity: rare

Value for good – mint condition (dependent on finish): $75.00–300.00 (approx €55.00–220.00)

Weight: 280 grams (0,31 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.0 cm (2.36")
• width: 3.3 cm (1.3")
• length: 7.7 cm (3.03")

BeBe 100, 1947

This beautiful and massive semi-automatic table lighter with 'on' and 'off' buttons (look pictures below) was manufactured by Bruchhaus & Baltrusch (BeBe) between 1947 and 1951 in Germany. It is made of brass and is nickel plated.

The bas-relief is made of silver and marked on the side with German hallmarks and the silver purity mark 800. The sleeve is depicting a scene of a wedding party. This table lighter remains some of the Mylflam models with silver sleeves depicting among others tavern or fest scenes.

The BeBe 100 was also seen in other finishes: fully nickeled and enameled.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Marked on the lighter insert (base):

BeBe 100
GERMANY
D.R.PATENT

Scarcity: rare

Value for good–mint condition: $90.00–180.00 (approx €65.00–130.00)

Weight: 360 grams (0,79 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.0 cm (3.1")
• length: 10.6 cm (4,2")
• width: 4.0 cm (1,6")

Ronson Varaflame Victoria, 1964

The Ronson Varaflame Victoria was manufactured in W. Germany in 1964. It is the only Ronson table lighter made of solid silver (800) next to the Jubilee Set (925, sterling).

The removable lighter insert – the Varaflame – is partly chromium-plated and silver-plated. It has a fingertip flame control finished with a blue Swarovski crystal. Marked on the underside: Ronson (R) MADE IN W. GERMANY PATENTED.

The base of the lighter is weighted and marked on the underside of the base on green felt:

Ronson (R)
SOLID SILVER
VICTORIA

Type: butane (gas) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $120.00–150.00 (approx €90.00–110.00)

Weight: 210 grams (0,46 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 9.6 cm (3.78")
• diameter: 7.2 cm (2.8")

ALBO & Augusta Zünder, Mini, 1956

This table lighter was made by Albert Bodemer Silberwarenfabrik GmbH (known as ALBO or AB) in cooperation with Augusta Zünder between 1956 and 1962 in Germany.

The Albert Bodemer Silberwarenfabrik GmbH was a typical hollowware manufacturer established in the 1940's in Keltern-Ellmendingen, Germany. It is still active today and run by the daughter of Albert Bodemer who invented all the patterns and forms. The lighter inserts were provided by several German lighter manufacturers, like KW or Augusta Zünder - today only the BIC company is their supplier (butane lighters).

The rounded openwork base stands on three decorative legs. The silver basket has a floral design accompanied by two angels and a field for a monogram in the middle. The base of the lighter was made of silver in different purities: 800, 835 and 925 grade of silver. The base is not weighted. Marked on the side: ALBO.

The lighter insert was provided by Augusta Zünder, a known German supplier. It is made of brass and is silver-plated. The picture above presents a petrol (wick) lighter. A butane gas lighter in the same shape was introduced in the early 1960s.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $50.00–90.00 (approx €35.00–65.00)

Weight: 70 grams (0,15 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 5.7 cm (2.24")
• diameter: 4.5 cm (1.77")

Ronson Rondelight Junior table lighter, 1929

The Ronson Jr. table lighter was first manufactured in 1929. Till 1935/1936 the Rondelight was produced with the Old Standard fitment only in Newark (USA). In 1936 the New Standard fitment was introduced (see picture) and the production went on till ca. 1940 in the USA and till the 1950s in the United Kingdom.

This table lighter is in the shape of a billiard ball and it was made in various finishes: plain chromium plate, covered with brown leather or chrome and enamel in six color combinations (lower part/stripe): black/red, black/black, black/blue, black/green, lavender/white and white/green.

The lighter insert is removable and it is marked on the bottom:

RONSON
TRADE MARK
MADE IN ENGLAND
RONDELIGHT
BRIT. PAT. 621570

or

RONSON
US. PAT. RE. No. 19,023 CANADA PATS.
2,88,148-289,889 BRIT. PAT. 291,695
ART METAL WORKS, INC.
NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare–very rare

Value for good–mint condition: $80.00–400.00 (approx €55.00–300.00), according to version and finish

Weight: 230 grams

Dimensions:

• height: 7 cm (2.76")
• diameter: 5.5 cm (2.17")

Rowenta Bridge, 1954

The Rowenta Bridge (catalog model: F4515 17/2, see picture) was manufactured in 1954 in Offenbach am Main, Germany. The production ceased short after that in 1957. The Rowenta Bridge was a very successful model manufactured in more than 30 different finishes, like: sterling silver, chromium plate, morocco leather and even nacre finish (mother of pearl).

This wick lighter was generally made of brass and it had two various shapes of the base: oval or of a irregular octagon. Marked on the underside of the base:

Rowenta Bridge
Germany
Pat.pend.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon–very rare (depending on type of the finish)

Value for good–mint condition: $50.00–250.00 (approx €35.00–230.00)

Weight: 140 grams (0,31 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 5.8 cm (2.28")
• width: 2.8 cm (1.1")
• length: 6.5 cm (2.56")

Ronson Lotus Table Lighter, 1953

The Ronson Lotus was manufactured in 1953–1957 in Newark, New Jersey, USA and also in London, England. It is a solid oval-shaped petrol (wick) lighter and it is a perfect example of the Art Deco style. It was available in three finishes:

• gold plate (24K) with black enamel,
  
• chrome plate with black enamel (see picture on the right),
  
• silver plate combined with satin silver plate (see picture on the bottom).

This table lighter was based on the Adonis fitment. The base is padded with green or black felt. Only the silver plate finish is protected by a transparent lacquer.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Marked on the bottom:

BRIT. PAT. 621570
OTHER PATS. PEND
RONSON
REG. TRADE MARK
LOTUS
MADE IN ENGLAND

or

RONSON
NEWARK N.J. U.S.A.
U.S. PATENT 2,481,195
LOTUS

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $60.00–100.00 (approx €40.00–70.00)

Weight: 310 grams (0,68 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 5.6 cm (2.2")
• length: 8.0 cm (3.15")
• width: 4.6 cm (1.8")

Kaschie, K 35, ca. 1936

The model K 35 was manufactured by Karl Schieder Metalwarenfabrik (Kaschie) between 1936 and 1940 in Nürnberg, Germany. It is made of brass and is nickel plated. There are many different finishes of this model – mostly in enamel and machine engraved (see picture).

To make the lighter work one must push down the ball switch on the right – then the top opens and the lighter lights.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Marked on the side:

KASCHIE 35
PATENT
GERMANY

Scarcity: rare

Value for good–mint condition: $120.00–220.00 (approx €85.00–155.00)

Weight: 255 grams (0,56 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.1 cm (2.8")
• length: 8.0 cm (3,15")
• width: 2.3 cm (0,9")