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 Fiesta Set, 1954

The Ronson Fiesta Set was manufactured between 1954 and 1956 in Newark, United States of America and in Toronto, Canada. The set consists of  a table lighter with a Ronson Essex gold toned insert and an ash-tray which is made of ceramic and glazed with turquoise and cream paint.

The base of the table lighter is marked on the bottom on a golden label:

(R)
RONSON

Newark, N.J.

U.S.A.

or

RONSON
Fiesta
Toronto 
Canada

The bottom of the base is padded with green felt. The Ronson Essex lighter insert is marked:

RONSON (R)

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

U.S PATENTS

2,481,195 & 2,715,329

Other unique ceramic sets made by Ronson beside the Fiesta Set are: Bolero and Tropicana Set which are also rare.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for good–mint condition (set): $80.00–120.00 (approx €60.00–90.00)

Weight:

• lighter – 265 g (9 1/4 oz)
• ashtray – 500 g (1 lb, 1 3/4 oz)

Dimensions:

1. Table lighter

• height: 8.0 cm (3.15")
• diameter: 5.9 cm (2.3")

2. Ash-tray

• height: 5.0 cm (2")
• width: 9 cm (3.5")
• length: 12.5 cm (5.5")

Ronson Cupid Table Lighter, 1956

This small but relatively heavy Ronson table lighter was first manufactured in 1956 in Newark, New Jersey, USA and the production ceased just two years later. It was available in two versions: black and white enamel both having the gold tone removable Essex lighter insert and three gold colored cupid plaques.

The lighter insert and the beautiful cherubs were made of brass whereas the base was made of white metal alloy. The base is protected with a round felt pad. The lighter fitment is marked:

RONSON (R)

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

U.S. PATENTS 

2,481,195 & 2,715,329

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Gold foil label on the bottom of the base is marked:

CUPID

FASHIONED BY RONSON

Scarcity: uncommon-rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $50.00–80.00 (approx €40.00–60.00)

Weight: 255 grams (0.56 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.1 cm (2.4")
• diameter: 4.6 cm (1.8")

Ronson Tropicana Set, 1954

The Ronson Tropicana Set was manufactured between 1954 and 1956 in Newark, United States of America. The set consists of  a table lighter with a Ronson Essex gold toned insert and an ash-tray which is made of brown and inner green ceramic.  The set (model no. 43592) looks great and is quite rare.

The base of the table lighter is marked on the bottom on a golden label:

(R)
RONSON

Newark, N.J.

U.S.A.

The bottom of the base is padded with green felt. The Ronson Essex lighter insert is marked:

RONSON (R)

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

U.S PATENTS

2,481,195 & 2,715,329

Other unique ceramic sets made by Ronson beside the Tropicana Set are: Bolero and Fiesta Set which are also rare.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for good–mint condition (set): 274 zł ($90.00)–140.00 (approx 290 zł (€70.00)–100.00)

Weight:

• lighter – 230 grams (0.5 lb)
• cigarette holder – 455 grams (1 lb)

Dimensions:

1. Table lighter

• height: 8.0 cm (3.15")
• diameter: 5.9 cm (2.3")

2. Ash-tray

• height: 5.0 cm (2")
• width: 9 cm (3.5")
• length: 25.5 cm (10")

Advert: Ronson Trophy, Nordic and other cigarette lighters, 1950

This Christmas magazine advertisement by Ronson was published in Saturday Evening Post in 1950. It depicts: 

• two table lighters: Nordic and Trophy, 
• four pocket lighters: Essex, Regal Adonis, Capri and Whirlwind,
• Lighter-cigarette case Escort,
• Ronson Electric Shaver.

Advert: Ronson Fantasy Table Lighter, 1956

The Ronson magazine advertisement from LIFE published on the 29th of October 1956 depicts a sculptured table lighter with the Essex fitment - Ronson Fantasy. Not easy to get these days.

Advert: Ronson Nordic Table Lighter in black marble, 1956

A full-page magazine advertisement devoted in all the nifty Ronson Nordic Table Lighter made of black marble. Published in LIFE 21 May 1956.

Ronson Jubilee Set, 1954

The Ronson Jubilee Set was manufactured only in 1954 in the industrial works in Newark (N.J., United States). The set consists of a lighter and a matching cigarette holder. Both are made of sterling silver and have weighted bases.

The lighter has a removable Ronson Essex fitment. It is silver-plated.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Both, the lighter and the cigarette urn are marked on the bottom:

STERLING

(R)
RONSON
JUBILEEWEIGHTED

The lighter is additionaly marked with:

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

U.S. PAT.

PEND.

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition (set): $160.00–250.00 (€110–175)

Weight:

• lighter – 245 grams (0,54 pounds)
• cigarette holder – 58 grams (0,13 pounds)

Dimensions:

1. Lighter

• height: 9.7 cm (3.8")
• diameter: 5.9 cm (2.3")

2. Cigarette holder

• height: 7.3 cm (2.9")
• diameter: 5.9 cm (2.3")

Ronson Mayfair, 1936, 1956

The Ronson Mayfair was first manufactured in 1936 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. It was a very successful product which was marketed till 1959 with a major change regarding the lighter fitment. Till 1956 the Ronson Mayfair had a Standard Ronson lighter fitment; although after 1955 the Essex fitment was introduced (see photo).

This table lighter was advertised always as a pair and sold in a presentation box. The lighter is very handy and covered with a thick layer of silver. The bottom is padded with green felt.

A newspaper advertisement from 1951 of the Ronson Mayfair says: "Dainty Silver Plated table lighters to harmonize with fine silverware. Like salt and pepper shakers, they're placed within easy reach of each setting, two or more for the well appointed dinner table".


Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the underside:

NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A.
U.S. PATENTS
2.481.195 & 2.715.329
(R)
RONSON
MAYFAIR

or

Ronson (R)
NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A.
U.S. PATENT RE. NO. 19023
CANADA PATS, 288,148-289,889
RONSON
MAYFAIR

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition (pair): $55.00–90.00 (approx €40.00–65.00)

Weight (one): 180 grams (0,4 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.2 cm (2.83")
• width: 4.3 cm (1.7")
• depth: 3.4 cm (1.34")

Ronson Nordic Set, 1955

The Ronson Nordic Set was first manufactured in 1955 in Newark (N.J., United States). The production went on till 1958. The set consists of a Nordic lighter and a matching cigarette holder. The set was made from a very popular in the 40's and 50's, especially in Europe, Black & Gold Marble (Portoro). The Ronson Nordic set was mainly manufactured for people who had an inkstand finished in this stone. The base is in chrome plate with leaf and scroll pattern.

The Ronson Nordic lighter was available in different finishes - two more types of marble, clear glass, light and dark wood. The Ronson Nordic in Black & Gold Marble finish was sold more often as a set with the matching cigarette holder (urn). The lighter has 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.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the bottom on the foil label:

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

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $60.00–90.00 (€50–75)

Weight:

• cigarette urn – 370 grams (0,82 pounds)
• lighter – 410 grams (0,9 pounds)

Dimensions:

1. Lighter

• height: 8.5 cm (3.5")
• width: 7.0 cm (2.8")
• depth: 7.0 cm (2.8")

2. Cigarette holder

• height: 7.5 cm (3.0")
• width: 5.5 cm (2.2")
• depth: 5.5 cm (2.2")

Ronson Regal, 1957

This Ronson Regal is the second table lighter which Ronson give the Regal name to - see the other Ronson Regal. This handy wick lighter was first introduced in the U.S. market in 1957. It was available in two different finishes: chrome and cooper plate.

The wick lighter has a very extraordinary swirl design and an Essex fitment. It has an oval base which is padded with green felt.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the underside:

Ronson (R)
NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A.
U.S. PATENTS
2.481.195 & 2.715.329
(R)
Ronson
REGAL

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $35.00–65.00 (approx €25.00–50.00)

Weight: 325 grams (0,72 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 5.5 cm (2.2")
• width: 8.3 cm (3.3")
• depth: 5.0 cm (2.0")

Ronson Decor Table Lighter, 1955

The Ronson Decor is an interesting example of the Eames era and the influence of the space/UFO exploration of these times. It was first manufactured in 1955 in Newark, N.J. in United States and the production ceased two years later. The lighter insert and the base is in shiny brass finish which often is partly worn of.

It is a futuristic wick lighter in a shape of a flying saucer with a three leg base. It has a special feature - the fabric under the transparent plastic rim can be easily removed and changed in order to match the decor of its close environment. The Ronson Decor was sold in at least two different versions which mainly differ from each other by the fabric and the style of the writing on the underside of the base.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the underside:

(R) RONSON
Decor
NEWARK, N. J. U.S.A.
U.S. PATENT D-175-564

or

Decor (R) RONSON CORP. (C) NEWARK, N. J. U.S.A.

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: NaN zł–80.00 (approx NaN zł–60.00)

Weight: 240 grams (0,53 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.7 cm (3.0")
• width: 10.3 cm (4.0")
• depth: 10.3 cm (4.0")

Here is the patent for this lighter.