Ritepoint Roman Classic Liter, Vu-Lighter, 1949

The "Roman Classic Liter" Table/Desk Lighter was manufactured by Ritepoint Co. in St. Louis, USA between 1949 and 1954. Sylvester G. Lipic was the inventor of this futuristic looking lighter which was available in four colors. It was the first table lighter with a transparent fuel reservoir (today known as the see through "vu-lighter") which was a lucrative invention as it was widely used in the advertising sector. 

The Ritepoint Liter was advertised as the lighter that "signals the eye — before it's dry". The body was made of a transparent plastic whereas the top and the bottom were made of brass and chrome-plated. The bottom of the lighter is padded with black felt and marked:

RITEPOINT LITER

PAT'S PEND'G

(C) RITEPOINT CO.

ST. LOUIS, MO. U.S.A.

Sylvester G. Lipic Pres.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $30.00–40.00 (€25–30)

Weight: 148 grams (5.2 oz)


Dimensions:

• height: 11 cm (4.3")
• diameter: 4.9 cm (1.9")

Advert: Ronson Kitchenette, Town & Country Set, 1959

This Ronson magazine advertisement was published in LIFE Magazine in 1959. Presented are several models of Ronson pocket:

• Windlite – exclusive slotted "windshield" lifetime wick... removable base for simpler fueling; satin finish (model no. 34-51341-237) 
• Sport – handsomely styled, ruggedly built, remarkably low priced; Tortoise Enamel (34-52679-417) Brigh Woven Mesh (model no. 34-51291-450) 
• Venus – Feminine-styled ladies' purse lighter. Slender, streamlined, sophisticated 
• Adonis – modern, sweeping lines. Slim as fine watch. Satin finish, engraved design (model no. 34-52752-597) and table/desk lighters:

• Fantasy – elegant satin-white China, touched with gold (model no. 34-51085-1110)
• Regal – swirl design, in gleaming copper (model no. 34-52828-990)
• Queen Anne – Lustrous Silver Plate (model no. 34-52802-870)
• Kitchenette – fine China, colorful Kitchen motif (model no. 34-52810-897)
• Nordic Set – genuine black and gold marble Table Lighter and matching Cigarette Urn (model no. 34-52877-1110)
• Town and Country Set –  Modern Glazed Ceramic Lighter and Matching Ash tray (model no. 34-52851-1290)

Ronson Nordic Table Lighter, 1955

The Ronson Nordic was first manufactured in 1955 in Newark, N.J. in the United States. The production went on till 1958. The body of the lighter was made of many different materials like wood (dark and light), marble and clear glass (see photo). The Nordic table lighter made of gold & black (portoro) marble was available only as a set with a matching cigarette holder (urn). In all cases the base was chrome-plated and had a leaf and scroll pattern.

The lighter had a smaller version of the Ronson Essex fitment. That is why the engineers added the lever action to make the lighter more easy to operate. The lighter insert is chrome-plated and marked on the bottom:

RONSON (R)

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

U.S. PATENTS

2,481,195 & 2,715,320

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the bottom on the foil label:

(R)
RONSON NORDIC
Newark, N.J.
U.S.A.

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: 202 zł–90.00 (208 zł–75)

Weight: 492 grams (1 3/8 oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.5 cm (3.5")
• diameter: 8.5 cm (3.5")

Early American Trio Lighter Set, 1946

This lighter set called "Early American Trio by Davis" was made in the late 1940s in the United States. It contains two cast iron ashtrays (wheelbarrow ash tray & coal scuttle ash tray) and a plastic table lighter (lantern cigarette lighter). All parts have a painted flower design on a rich black background.

The lighter is stamped on the bottom:

MADE IN U.S.A

13

The lighter insert is a simple wick and wheel type lighter made of brass. It is not marked.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for very good–mint condition (set): 135 zł–60.00 (approx 125 zł–45.00)

Weight:

• lighter – 70 g (2 3/8 oz)
• set – 455 g (1 lb)

Dimensions of the lighter:

• height (with handle): 13.0 cm (5.1")
• diameter: 5.5 cm (2.2")

Patent: Ronson Juno Table Lighter, 1949

The "Juno" table lighter model was first manufactured by Ronson  in 1950 in Newark, New Jersey, USA although the design of the lighter (F. Kaupmann) was patented earlier by the United States Patent Office on 23th August 1949 (patent no. 154,929).

Ronson Scandia Table Lighter, 1955

The Scandia Table Lighter was first manufactured by Rosenthal and Ronson in 1955 in Newark, N.J. U.S.A. The base of the lighter is made of white China porcelain (Rosenthal) and dark rosewood. It was marketed in the United States separate and in a set with a matching cigarette holder.
 

 
Golden foil label on the bottom of base is marked:

SCANDIA
FASHIONED BY RONSON

CHINA BY
ROSENTHAL

The small chromium plate lighter "Essex" insert is marked:

RONSON (R)
NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A.
U.S. PATENTS
2,481,195 & 2,715,329

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $50.00–75.00 (approx €40.00–60.00)

Weight: 135 grams (4 5/8 oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.6 cm (3.4")
• diameter: 5.8 cm (2.3")

Henry Schiff Lift-Arm Table Lighter, 1928

This lift-arm desk/table lighter was sold by the "World's Largest Novelty House" N. Shure Co., Chicago between 1928 and 1932. The inventor (78,315) was Henry T. Schiff who was also the president of Fay Manufacturing Co.

It was available in nickel and silver plate. It was a low budget table lighter as the retail price per dozen was only 9$.
 

The nickel-plated lighter insert is removable and attached to the base with two screws. There are no markings on the base of the lighter that could identify the maker. The lighter base is heavy and has a hammered design with a floral and beaded accents.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $35.00–50.00 (€25–35)

Weight: 210 grams (7 3/8 oz)


Dimensions:

• height: 13.5 cm (5.3")
• width: 5.2 cm (2")
• depth: 4.4 cm (1.7")