Advert: Ronson De-Light Lighters, Art Metal Works 1928

A black and white full page magazine advertisement published in the USA in 1928. It features the De-Light lighter series made by Art Metal Works, Inc (Newark, New Jersey, USA). It is advertised with words like: "The World's greatest lighter", "A flip and it's lit. Release and it's out!" and "The gift of gifts".

Ronson Art Déco Table Lighter, 1934

The Ronson "Art Déco" also referred as the "Tall Boy" (Urban Cummings) is one of the rarest and most representative lighters for the Art Deco period ever made by Ronson. It was manufactured in a small amount between 1934 and 1935 by ART METAL WORKS INC. in Newark (New Jarsey) in the United States.

Art Deco was the predominant decorative art style of the 1920s and 1930s, characterized by precise and boldly delineated geometric shapes and strong colors. The favorite materials used in finishing household items were glass, chrome, bakelite and enamel.

This particular lighter has a chrome plated brass body which major part is covered with black enamel which gives a very contrastive design. The lighter is relatively tall and thin and is neither handy nor particularly heavy.

The body of the lighter is based on an oval. A beautiful Art Deco ornamental monogram shield is present on one side (see photo above). A 1934 Ronson catalog shows also a version with a running scotty dog and a drunk hanging on to a light pole (both are without a monogram shield), see below. Both motives were also used on the Ronson De-Light "Jumbo" table lighter.

The bottom of the lighter is marked:

RONSON DE-LIGHT

U.S. PAT. RE. NO. 19023

ART METAL WORKS INC.

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

RONSON DE-LIGHT

PATENTED JUNE 17.1928

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: very rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $400–600.00 (approx. €300–500.00)

Weight: 155 grams (0.33 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 13.9 cm (5.5")
• width: 4.1 cm (1.6")
• depth: 6.8 cm (2.7")

Ronson De-Light Superba Table Lighter, 1929

The Ronson De-Light "Superba" (model no. 12773) was one of the earliest automatic table lighters made by Art Metal Works Inc. in Newark (New Jersey) USA. It was manufactured between 1929 and 1932. The design of the lighter was patented by the United States Patent Office in 1929 (patent no. 80,214). This wick lighter was designed by the founder of AMW – Louis V. Aronson – himself.

The lighter is shaped like a trophy with a handle and made of brass and chrome plated. The body of the lighter is based on a hexagon and each wall has an engine-turned design. On one side a small rectangle monogram shield is present (see photo above).

The bottom of the lighter is padded with green felt and marked:

RONSON DE-LIGHT
"SUPERBA"

U.S. PATS.

1290011-1673727,

OTHER U.S. & FOREIGN PAT'S PDG.

ART METAL WORKS

INC.

NEWARK, N.J.

U.S.A.

RONSON DE-LIGHT

PATENTED JUNE 17.1928

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: very rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $300–500.00 (approx. €250–400.00)

Weight: 150 grams (0.32 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 12,9 cm (5")
• width: 7.5 cm (3")
• depth: 5.3 cm (2")

Patent: Ronson Streamline Touch-Tip Table Lighter, 1937

The Ronson Streamline Touch-Tip was first manufactured by Art Metal Works (AMW) in Newark, New Jersey, USA. The design of the lighter was patented by the United States Patent Office in 1937 (patent no. 104,955). Today it is a very collectible piece because of its streamline design.

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")

Ronson Puritan, 1936

This Ronson Puritan was first manufactured in 1936. It was only produced in Newark, N.J. (U.S.). There are at least three different versions of this lighter – they vary mainly in some details in the upper part. On the first spot it is easy to confuse this lighter with the earliest versions of the Ronson Decanter – the only difference is the four legged base.

This wick lighter has a radiused rim on the top. It is twice as light as the Ronson Decanter though the dimensions are almost the same.

The Puritan is a handy lighter designed in the Art Deco style. It is covered with a thick layer of silver which is additionally protected by a transparent lacquer which often is partly deteriorated. The four-legged base is padded with green felt.

The Ronson Puritan was also sold in 1949 in 2-piece (cigarette holder + lighter) and 3-piece set (tray + cigarette holder + lighter). I saw them only once.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Marked on the long lever side press:

RONSON
U.S. PAT. RE.
NO.19,023

Scarcity: very rare

Value for good–mint condition: $350.00–550.00 (approx €250.00–390.00)

Weight: 133 grams (0,29 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 11.0 cm (4.3")
• diameter: 5.0 cm (1,97")

Fisher & Evans,1954

This table lighter is fine example of Art Deco style and was manufactured by Fisher Silversmith Inc. in 1954 in Jersey City (New Jersey, United States). The company prospered from 1936 to the 1970s. It manufactured sterling and silver-plated flatware and hollowware, mainly in modern design like Art Deco.
The base of the lighter is made of sterling silver – 925 grade of silver. It is weighted and marked. The lighter is prism-shaped and has a irregular hexahedron base.

The lighter insert was provided by Evans (USA). It is made of brass and is silver electroplate. The release is shell-shaped (conchiform).

Type: petrol (wick) lighter
Marked on the bottom:

FISHER

STERLING WEIGHTED

2548

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $90.00–160.00 (€65–115)

Weight: 285 grams (0,63 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.3 cm (3.27")
• width: 6.6 cm (2.6")
• depth: 5.0 cm (1.97")

Ronson Melrose, 1953

Ronson Melrose was first manufactured in 1953 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. It is a solid oval-shaped petrol (wick) lighter with an interesting ornate band of little roses and leaves which encircle the center of the base. Made in Art Deco style.

This quadruple silver-plated table lighter was based on the Adonis fitment. Two finishes are known – satin and polished (see picture) silver. Relatively hard to find in excellent or mint condition. The base is padded with green felt and the silver plate is protected by a transparent lacquer which often is partly deteriorated and the silver tarnishes.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the bottom:

RONSON (R)
Newark. N.J. U.S.A.
S. PATENT 2.481.195
RONSON
MELROSE

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for good–mint condition: $40.00–80.00 (approx €30.00–60.00)

Weight: 355 grams (0,78 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.8 cm (2.67")
• width: 8.5 cm (3.5")
• depth: 5.3 cm (2")