Advert: Ronson Wedgwood Table Lighter, 1950

This Ronson magazine advertisement was published in a British magazine "Country Life" in December 1950. It presents Ronson wick lighters like "Queen Anne", "Rondelight", "Princess", "Adonis" and others.

Ronson Rondelight Cricket Ball Lighter, UK 1950

The new 'Rondelight' was made in the 1950s in the United Kingdom. This table lighter is in the shape of a cricket ball covered in genuine leather.

The lighter insert was also used in Wedgwood ceramics and other ball-shaped bases like: 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/gray etc.

The chrome plate lighter fitment 'New Standard' Ronson is removable and it is marked on the bottom:

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

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good condition: $100 (approx. €80)

Weight: 230 grams

Dimensions:

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

Gebrüder Köllisch, Druco Lighter, 1948

The Druco table lighter was first manufactured in 1948 in Nürnberg, Germany by Gebrüder Köllisch. The body of this petrol lighter is made of brass. This semi-automatic lighter has a nice sun ray design etched in the black paint. Other designs are known.

The lighter is not marked. The bottom part of it can be used as an additional tank for petrol.

Type: semi-automatic wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon-rare

Value for very good condition: ~$60.00 (approx €50.00)

Weight: 165 grams

Dimensions:

• height: 7.6 cm
• length: 7.7 cm
• width: 3.6 cm

Ronson Savoy Gold Table Lighter, 1953-1954

The Ronson Savoy wick table lighter was made between 1953-1954 in Newark, New Jersey, USA by Ronson. It is a lighter with a very appealing design in heavy 24K gold plate. It was the most expensive table lighter mass-produced by Ronson ($19.50) at that time.  

The lighter mechanism was used since 1936 when the Ronson Decanter and Puritan were first introduced. Below an illustration of the lighter models 'Decanter' and 'Savoy' from the 1954 Ronson catalog.

The lighter base is padded with a light green felt trim and marked:

Ronson (R)

Newark, N.J. U.S.A.

U.S. Patent 2,481,195

(R)

Ronson

SAVOY

Type: automatic wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $240.00–350.00 (approx €200.00–300.00)

Weight: 331 grams

Dimensions:

    height: 11.5 cm
    diameter: 5.6 cm

FAQ: Rowenta Snip, Care & Maintenance Manual, 1950s

This instruction leaflet in English and German was added to "Snip" petrol lighters made by Rowenta in the 1950s.

Ronson Lighter Catalog, USA 1954

A small 6-page color Ronson Catalog (catalogue) from 1954 distributed by the US dealership.

FAQ: Ibelo Monopol, Care & Maintenance Manual, 1950s

This instruction leaflet was added to all "Monopol" pocket lighters made by Ibelo in the 1950s.

Petit point dressing table lighter, 1955

This unusual dressing table lighter was made by 'REGENT of London' between 1955 and 1959 in London, England. The gold-tone brass lighter base is pierced and has floral petit point needlework panels (tent stitch embroidery). The structure of the lighter base is made of wood. The design of the case is marked:

REG. DESIGN NO 876990
Made in England (not always present)

Unfortunately the registered design cannot be obtained online although the design itself was registered between March and June of 1955 and is held physically in the National Archive in Kew, Richmond in England. One more design of this lighter is know to exist (based on a rectangle) but is rare.

The wick lighter insert is made of brass, no markings are available.

The table lighter was sold alone or in a vanity set comprising of an matching alarm clock, candlesticks, rectangular  musical trinket box, powder box with mirror lid but also a dressing table tray, hair brush, mirror and manicure set with stand and perfume bottle (not pictured).

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: 30–40.00 USD (approx €25.00–35.00)

Weight: 230 grams

Dimensions:

• height: 5.8 cm
• width: 4.9 cm
• length: 7.9 cm

"Neighbours" postcard, France 1951

Here is an an example of a colorful and humoristic postcard from the early 1950s illustrated by Pierre Ryreze and edited by d'Art BelFrance. It depicts a meeting of neighbors. One of them is asking "Are you moving around?" In reply he gets this: "No, I have mounted a wood gas generator to my lighter!!" 

The postcard design no. is 508. It was printed by FAP in France.

Advert: Ronson Wedgwood Table Lighter, 1954

This Ronson magazine advertisement was published in a British magazine "Punch" in June 1954. It presents a Ronson table lighter in a Wedgwood blue and white jasper base as "today's most fashionable wedding present".

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")

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")

Advert: Spark Lite Pocket & Desk Lighters, 1955

These two full-page color advertisements were published in an unknown American magazine in 1955. Several models of the Spark-Lite lighters are presented: Commodore and President pocket lighters and Director, Diplomat, Continental and Onyx table/desk butane gas lighters. 

Advert: Silver Match Gas Cigarette Lighters, 1957

This full page color advertisement was published in a French magazine in 1957. It present among others the "Le DIRECTOIRE" gas table lighter made by Silver Match.

Advert: Silver Match Gas Cigarette Lighters, 1957

This full page color advertisement was published in a French magazine in 1957. It present the all new Silver Match gas lighters in different finishes.

La Paglia International Silver Evans Table Lighter, 1953

This rare and finely crafted table lighter was manufactured by International Silver Co. and Evans between 1953 and 1955 in Meriden, Connecticut, USA. The base of the lighter is made of sterling silver and is not weighted. It is round with famous for the Danish design and Alphonse La Paglia modern band of scrolls and flowers decoration.

The design of this piece is reminiscent of work by George Jensen, a renowned Danish silversmith; however, this is not surprising as La Paglia studied under Jensen in the 1930's and, after moving to the US in the 1940's, continued as a designer under Frederick Lunning (Georg Jensen U.S.A.). In 1952, La Paglia established a close relationship with International Silver Company, and moved his studio to Meriden, Connecticut, where he worked until his untimely death in 1953. A. La Paglia worked also for Black Starr and Gorham.

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

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Stamped on the bottom:

INTERNATIONAL
STERLING
La Paglia Designed
160 (sometimes: 139 98 /2)

JACKET STERLING
MECHANISM BRASS

The same lighter case was also manufactured by Georg Jensen Inc. and marked:

GEORG JENSEN INC.
U.S.A.
STERLING 160
LP

The lighter was available in different heights: 2–2.5".

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $120.00–140.00 (€100–120)

Weight: 140 grams (5 oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 5.1 cm (2")
• diameter: 5.1 cm (2")

Worcester & Evans English Pewter Lighter Set, 1951

The Worcester English Pewter Table Lighter Set was marketed by Worcester Silver Co. and made in 1951 in Sheffield, England. The set consists of a silver plated wick lighter shaped of tankard and matching cigarette holder. 

The lighter insert was provided by Evans (USA). It is made of brass and is silver electroplated. Marked on the bottom: EVANS USA

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Both marked on the bottom:

English Pewter 

Made in Sheffield 

England

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition (set): $80.00–120.00 (€60–90)

Weight:

• lighter – 130 grams (4 1/2 oz)
• cigarette urn – 53 grams (1 7/8 oz)

Dimensions:

1. Lighter

• height: 7.3 cm (2.9")
• diameter: 5.2 cm (2")

2. Cigarette holder

• height: 5 cm (2")
• diameter: 5.2 cm (2")

Advert, Elgin American Lighters, 1949 & 1950

These two full page vintage magazine ads depict some of the smoking products manufactured and/or sold by Elgin American like: Table Lighter 'Ensemble' Set, few 'Case-O-Matics' Combination Lighters, 'Director' Lighter Set and the 'Clubman' Lighter Set, 'Socialite' Pocket Lighters, 'Litter Case' as well the Ronson 'Adonis' Set. The first advert was published on July 1950 in the Esquire magazine and the other in an unknown magazine in 1949.