Ronson Wedgwood Ulysses Table Lighter, 1955

This Ronson table lighter was made between 1955 and 1957 in England by Ronson and Wedgwood. The Ronson 'Ulysses' was marketed with two different Ronson chrome plated fitments: Cadet and Rondelight. They were mounted in a Wedgwood light green (see photo) or blue Jasper base with overlaid design – heroic battle scene – in white ceramic. The lighter was also available with a matching ashtray. The Ulysses scene was also used in the Ronson butane table lighter eleven years later.

Wedgwood is a British pottery firm, founded on May 1, 1759 by Josiah Wedgwood (1730–95). The company still exists and is noted for its numerous innovations and high-quality wares that achieved renown throughout the world. Wedgwood's name is synonymous with the Jasper Ware body type.

The main themes on the company's jasper ware have all been taken from ancient mythologies: Roman, Greek or Egyptian or Italian Renaissance and Baroque The initial decision to have antique designs was probably that as Britain entered an age of great industrialization, the demand for luxurious goods subsequently exploded. Meanwhile, the archeological fever caught the imagination of many artists. Nothing could have been more suitable to satisfy this huge business demand than to produce replicas of artefacts. Wedgwoods pottery is  very collectible nowadays.

The lighter base is padded with felt. Marked on the bottom of the base:

195X (year)
WEDGWOOD
MADE IN 
ENGLAND 

Lighter insert marked:

RONSON
TRADEMARK
MADE IN ENGLAND
BRIT. PAT. 621570

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: common–uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $40.00–60.00 (approx €25.00–40.00)

Weight: 125 grams (0.27 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.5 cm (2.6")
• length: 7.3 cm (2.9")
• width:  5.5 cm (2.2")