ELDRO TANK [Drollinger] Silver Table Lighter, 1939

The ELDRO TANK wick table lighter was manufactured for a long period between 1939 and 1951 by Herman Else Drollinger Silber- und Metallwarenfabrik in Pforzheim, Germany. The company itself was active since 1925 till ca. 1978 and manufactured mainly metal- and silverware. Else Drollinger produced table and pocket lighters beyond its own ELDRO brand and also "Astro" for ZVG, "KW" for Karl Wieden and for other important German lighter manufacturers like Mylflam and Rowenta (mainly silver mantels).

This semi-automatic table lighter was available in different mantels made of solid silver (.835). The lighter base as well the lighter insert were made of brass and silver-plated. The bottom of the lighter base is padded with green felt.

Marked on the inside of the insert: 

ELDRO TANK
Pat. GMa

In 1951 the patent 815 272 was issued by the German Patent Office (Deutsches Patentamt). See below:

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good – mint condition (dependent on finish): $100.00–160.00 (approx €70.00–110.00)

Weight: 190 grams (0.42 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.2 cm (2.8")
• width: 3.5 cm (1.38")
• length: 6.6 cm (2.6")

Ronson Noir Smoking Set, 1972

This smoking set was crafted in cooperation by Ronson and Rosenthal GmbH between 1972 and 1974 in West Germany. Ronson made the lighter insert and Rosenthal the porcelain base. Rosenthal is a famous German porcelain manufacturer. The company was established by Philipp Rosenthal in 1879 (now part of Sambonet Paderno). The products were first marked with the company name in 1907. Rosenthal produced many innovative designs under its higher end "Studio S Linie" brand.

The base of the lighter as well as the cigarette holder and ashtray are made of black porcelain finished in mat (only the top cover of the cigarette holder and the inside of the ashtray are made of glossy porcelain). The table lighter uses the Ronson round Varaflame gas fitment. It is chrome plated. Different finishes of the finger flame control are known. 

Marked on the bottom of the base:

Rosenthal 

PORCELAINE NOIRE

Wirkhelm

Studio S Line

Lighter insert marked:

RONSON (R)

MADE IN W. GERMANY

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition (set): $80.00–120.00 (approx €50.00–80.00)

Weight:

• lighter: 170 grams (0.37 pounds)
• cigarette holder: 175 grams (0.39 pounds)
• ashtray: 235 grams (0.52 pounds)

Dimensions:

Table lighter:

• height: 8.5 (3.35")
• diameter: 5.0 cm (1.97")

Cigarette holder:

• height: 6.0 cm (2.37")
• width: 9.3 cm (3.66")

Astray:

• height: 3.3 cm (1.3")
• length: 12 cm  (4.7")
• width: 9.0 cm (3.54")

Advert: Zippo Cigarette Lighters for Dad, 1953

This Zippo ad was published in Life Magazine on the 14^th of June, 1953. It features four Zippo pocket lighters.