Ronson Wedgwood Celadon Table Lighter, 1954

This wick table lighter was made in ca. 1955 in England by Ronson and Ofeturia & Barlaston Wedgwood.  The ceramic base is in a oyster shape and is finished in a classic celadon (willow-green color) glaze. 

The Ronson lighter insert is round in shape, made of brass and chrome-plated and marked on the bottom:  

Ronson Trademark 

Made in England

The lighter base is padded with felt and marked:

Ofeturia & Barlaston

Wedgwood Celadon

Made in England

Type: automatic wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $40.00–60.00 (approx €30.00–50.00)


Weight: 125 grams


Dimensions:

    height: 7.4 cm
    length: 7.5 cm

Japanese Horse-Drawn Carriage Table Lighter, 1959

This nice figural table lighter was manufactured between 1959 and 1961 in Japan. The base of the lighter is made of ceramic and is hand-painted. It depicts a Japanese horse-drawn carriage. Two people are sitting on the carriage - one person on each side - man and woman.

The removable wick lighter insert is chrome-plated and stamped on the side JAPAN and on the bottom:

 PAT. NC. 531887

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good condition: 99 PLN (approx. 87 PLN)

Weight: 120 grams (0.26 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7 cm (2.8")
• width: 5 cm (2")
• length: 12 cm (4.7")

Rowenta & Copeland Spode Table Lighter, 1963

Between 1963 and 1969 Rowenta co-working with the famous English pottery brand – Copeland Spode (England) manufactured a charming table lighter. The base of the lighter was made of ceramic and hand-painted with the Herring Hunt – "The Hunt" pattern. Thus every lighter is different.

Other thing which distinguishes the lighter is the sterling silver (.925) mounting made by Johann Franz Jr. Silberwarenfabrik in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany – marked 925 JF (see below) and weighing approx. 40 grams.

Matching ashtrays, cigarette holders, candle sticks and other tableware were also manufactured and sold by Copeland Spode in the 1960s.

The lighter insert Gas-Snip (model F 4626) was made by Rowenta Metallwarenfabrik GmbH in Offenbach am Main, Germany. It was patented in 1958 and produced on large scale in various finishes between 1959–1970. This particular insert was made of brass and silver plated. It is stamped: 

Rowenta Gas-Snip

GERMANY 

PAT.

The lighter base is round and marked on the bottom:

COPELAND

SPODE

ENGLAND

"OFF TO DRAW"

3

"THE HUNTSMAN"

6

Type: butane (gas) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition:  $90–130.00 USD

Weight: 175 grams (0.38 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.5 cm (3")
• diameter: 6.2 cm (2.4")

Evans 'Antique Auto' Table Lighter, 1950

This fine bone China Evans 'Antique Auto' table lighter was designed and manufactured by Evans in the U.S.A. between 1950 and 1955. The lighter was marketed as a perfect gift and "conversation piece in the rich tradition of China". It was sold alone (model EC-68J600) or in a set 'Antique Auto Stein Set' (model EC-67J900) that consisted of the lighter "Auto Car Runabout 1902" (see picture) and two matching ashtrays with car prints such as: "Fords First Car 1896" and "Duryea Motor Wagon 1895". Lighter models with other antique cars are known, like: "Cadillac Automobile, 1903". 

The Evans gold-tone brass insert is a typical wick lighter. It uses the new fitment with the red seal - fuel control. It is marked: 

EVANS U.S.A. 

U.S. PAT. REG. 19023

The base of the lighter in shape of a tankard is made of ivory glazed ceramic. No markings on the bottom although my assumption is that the ceramic base was made by The Harker Pottery Co. in the United States. The two decorative stripes are made of 22k gold.

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: 152 zł ($50.00)–70.00 (approx 166 zł (€40.00)–55.00); set: 228 zł ($75.00)–90.00

Weight:

• 210 grams (7 1/4 oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 11.4 cm (4 1/2")
• diameter: 6.2 cm (2 1/2")
  

Ronson Wedgwood Royalty v2 Table Lighter, 1953

This Ronson wick table lighter was made in 1953 in England by Ronson and Wedgwood. The 'Royalty' had a chrome plated fitment called Ronson Rondelight. It was mounted in a Wedgwood blue Jasper base with overlaid design – depicted are the Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) and Duke of Edinburgh – in white ceramic. The year 1953 was the year of Elizabeth II coronation so the lighter is also a royal memorabilia which does add some extra value to it.

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 archaeological fever caught the imagination of many artists. Nothing could have been more suitable to satisfy this huge business demand than to produce replicas of artifacts. Wedgwoods pottery is  very collectible nowadays.

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

WEDGWOOD
MADE IN 
ENGLAND 

1953

Lighter insert marked:

RONSON
TRADEMARK
MADE IN ENGLAND
RONDELIGHT
BRIT. PAT. 621570

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

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

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")

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")

Royal Doulton Table Lighter, The Poacher, 1958

This ceramic Royal Doulton "The Poacher" Table Lighter was designed by M. Henk and issued between 1958 and 1973 in England. It is a fine example of the great variety of character jugs/table lighters manufactured exclusively by Royal Doulton Company which is an English company producing tableware and collectables, dating to 1815. Operating originally in London, its reputation grew in The Potteries, where it was a latecomer compared to Spode, Wedgwood and Minton. The Royal Doulton Company began as a partnership between John Doulton, Martha Jones, and John Watts, with a factory at Vauxhall Walk, Lambeth, London. The company took the name Doulton in 1853.

Other character Royal Doulton table lighters are in the shape of: Bacchus, Beafeater, Buz Fuz, Cap'n Cuttle, Captain Ahab, Falstaff, Lawyer, Long Jhon Silver, Mr Micawber, Mr Pickwick, Old Charley, Poacher Porthos, Rip Van Winkle.

It is worth to know that poachers are a family (Agonidae) of small bottom-dwelling cold-water marine fish. They are also known as alligatorfishes, starsnouts, hooknoses, and rockheads.

The lighter base is marked on the bottom:

MADE IN ENGLAND

ROYAL DOULTON 

ENGLAND

"The Poacher".

COPR. 1954.

DOULTON & CO. LIMITED.
Ra No 875201.
Ra No 33325.
Ra No 7095.
Ra No 321/54.

The brass wick lighter insert was provided by Colibri a famous English lighter manufacturer. The company was established by Julius Löwenthal  in 1928. Colibri delivered the lighter insert which was produced in France and W. Germany. Royal Doulton also cooperated with Evans Co. and Ronson. The lighter insert is marked:

Colibri by Kreisler
U.S. PAT
12.267182
U.S. Zone
WEST GERMANY

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for mint condition: $90.00–130.00 (approx €70.00–90.00)

Weight: 290 grams (0.64 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 11 cm (4.3")
• width: 11 cm (4.3")
• depth: 8 cm (3.2")

Royal Doulton Table Lighter, Beefeater, 1958

This ceramic Royal Doulton Beefeater Table Lighter was designed by H. Fenton and issued between 1958 and 1973 in England. It is a fine example of the great variety of character jugs/table lighters manufactured exclusively by Royal Doulton Company which is an English company producing tableware and collectables, dating to 1815. Operating originally in London, its reputation grew in The Potteries, where it was a latecomer compared to Spode, Wedgwood and Minton. The Royal Doulton Company began as a partnership between John Doulton, Martha Jones, and John Watts, with a factory at Vauxhall Walk, Lambeth, London. The company took the name Doulton in 1853.

Other character Royal Doulton table lighters are in the shape of: Bacchus, Buz Fuz, Cap'n Cuttle, Captain Ahab, Falstaff, Lawyer, Long Jhon Silver, Mr Micawber, Mr Pickwick, Old Charley, Poacher Porthos, Rip Van Winkle.

It is worth to know that Beefeaters are ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London. In principle they are responsible for looking after any prisoners at the Tower and safeguarding the British crown jewels, but in practice they act as tour guides and are a tourist attraction in their own right, a point the Yeoman Warders acknowledge.

The lighter base is marked on the bottom:

MADE IN ENGLAND

ROYAL DOULTON 

ENGLAND

Beefeater

COPR 1946

Doulton & Co Limited

The brass wick lighter insert was provided by Colibri a famous English lighter manufacturer. The company was established by Julius Löwenthal  in 1928. Colibri delivered the lighter insert which was produced in France and W. Germany. Royal Doulton also cooperated with Evans Co. and Ronson. The lighter insert is marked:

Colibri by Kreisler
U.S. PAT
12.267182
U.S. Zone
WEST GERMANY

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for mint condition: $75.00–100.00 (approx €50.00–70.00)

Weight: 190 grams (0.42 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 9 cm (3.5")
• width: 9 cm (3.5")
• depth: 6.7 cm (3.2")

Ronson Bolero Set, 1954

The Ronson Bolero Set was manufactured between 1954 and 1955 in Newark, United States of America. The set (model no. 43625) consists of a wick table lighter and a matching ash-tray which was also available seperate (model no. 43637).

The lighter base as well the ashtray are handmade of glazed ceramic in two colors: brown on the bottom and oatmeal-gray on the top. The lighter insert is a chromed plated Ronson Essex marked on the bottom:

RONSON (R)

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

U.S. PATENTS

2,481,195 & 2,715,329

The base of the table lighter has a silver sticker on the bottom:

(R)
RONSON

Newark, N.J.

U.S.A.

or

Ronson Bolero
Toronto, Canada.

The bottoms of both the base of the lighter and ashtray are padded with green felt.

Other unique ceramic sets made by Ronson beside the Bolero Set were called Tropicana and Fiesta which are also rare. In England a similar set to the Bolero Set was manufactured, although it was called Ronson Wade Harmony Set.

Worth to know is that the Bolero lighter was featured in the great American movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's".
 

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for good–mint condition (set): 201 zł–90.00 (approx 187 zł–75.00)

Weight:

• lighter – 250–330 grams (0.55–0.73 lbs)
• cigarette holder – 300–340 grams (0.66–0.75 lbs)

Dimensions:

1. Table lighter

• height: 6.5 cm (2.56")
• length: 14.0 cm (5.5")
• width: 10.0 cm (3.9")

2. Ash-tray

• height: 3.5 cm (1.4")
• length: 15.5 cm (6.1")
• width: 12.0 cm (4.7")

United, Bovano Cheshire Table Lighter 1957

The United Bovano Cheshire Automobile table lighter was manufactured in 1957 United States by United Findings Co. Inc. and Bovano of Cheshire, Connecticut. 

The wick lighter insert was provided by United. The colorful handy base was however crafted by Bovano of Cheshire which started its business in 1952 and which is still active today. The company was founded by Bonsignor, Van Leight and Noden. It is designing and hand crafting high quality wall and table sculptures using powdered glass fused to small copper plates and glass.

The lighter base is hand  enameled (pulverized glass) in three different colors using a delicate sprinkling method layered over solid copper and then kiln fired which makes the base look vitreous and noble.

The lighter insert is removable and covered with a gold-tone lacquer. Marked on the underside:

MADE IN U.S.A.
UNITED
PAT. 2,723,547

The base is padded with brown felt. A gold sticker is attached to it:

HANDCRAFTED

BY

Bovano

OF CHESHIRE

CONN.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $30.00–45.00 (approx €20.00–30.00)

Weight: 180 grams (0.4 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.2 cm (2.8")
• diamater: 6.0 cm (2.36")