ASR, Colibri, Dunhill, Dupont, Evans, Negbaur, MTC, Rolstar, Ronson, Rowenta, Zippo and many others... Price guide included! You will also find books, catalogs, patents and magazine advertisements on lighters!
The Ronson "Ronde-Light" 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. It was sold as lighter and paper weight as it was quite massive.
The lighter is shaped as a ball with plain chrome plated surface. The lighter insert itself is marked:
RONSON RONDE-LIGHT
U.S. PATS.
1290011-1673727,
OTHER U.S. & FOREIGN PAT'S PDG.
ART METAL WORKS INC.
NEWARK, N.J.
Type: petrol (wick) lighter
Scarcity: very rare
Value for good–mint condition (extremly rare in this condition): $150–300.00 (approx. €125–250.00)
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
The Polo Automatic Lighter was made by Barnett Pearlman & Co. Ltd in London, England between ca. 1948-1952. The base is made of brass and heavy chrome-plated. The bakelite pedestal gives the column shaped table lighter additional stability.
The lighter was available in two different heights: 9 and 13 cm. The automatic lighter mechanism was invented by Ernest Shinwell and patented by Barnett Pearlman & Co. in 1948 (patent no. 642,908).
The wick lighter is marked on the underside of the base:
Made in England World Patents
POLO
REGD. DES. NO. 857204
Type: automatic petrol (wick) lighter
Scarcity: uncommon
Value for very good–mint condition: $50 (approx €30)
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. inNewark (New Jarsey) in the United States.
Art Deco wasthe 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)
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)
The Ronson Carousel was first manufactured in 1950 in England. The production ceased shortly after in 1954.
It has a ball shaped base made of dark and light wood.
This wick lighter was produced with two different chromium plate lighter inserts: flat and the one seen on the picture on the right. Both marked:
RONSON
TRADEMARK
MADE IN ENGLAND
BRIT. PAT. 621570
The bottom of the base is padded with green felt. Golden foil sticker on bottom marked:
RONSON
CAROUSEL
MADE IN ENGLAND
Type: petrol (wick) lighter
Scarcity: uncommon
Value for very good–mint condition: $30.00–40.00 (approx. €25.00–35.00)
The Anglia table lighter was made in England between ca. 1947 and 1950 by a small British company Stewart Engineering which manufactured only a few lighter models.
It is a very interesting semi-automatic wick lighter that can be considered as an attempt to make a lighter looking alike these manufactured in the early years of the XX century. The action works by pressing the lever on the left side - see picture - which releases the cap, as this springs up it strikes the flint producing a spark.
This lighter was available in chrome plate and polished brass (more uncommon). It was also sold with a rubber tire in different colors round the base. The tire was marked ANGLIA MADE IN ENGLAND.
Type: petrol (wick) lighter
Marked on the bottom of the metal base:
ANGLIA
MADE IN ENGLAND
or
ANGLIA BRITISH MADE A5 / 1531
or
LIC NO A5 / 1531
Scarcity: uncommon; Anglia with tire - rare
Value for good–mint condition: 91 zł ($30.00)–60.00 (approx 82 zł (€20.00)–40.00)
This Ronson magazine advertisement was published in LifeMagazine on the 25th of May, 1959. It features the new Ronson Varaflame pocket lighter in different finishes. It is probably the most recognizable pocket lighter in the world next to the Zippo.
Ronson Senator Desk/Table lighter was first manufactured in 1950 both in Newark, New Jersey, USA and in London, England. It is a solid oval-shaped petrol (wick) lighter with an interesting range of leather and wood veneer finishes. The Ronson Senator was manufactured probably until the year 1954. In the UK the Senator was also available in sterling silver - rose motive on the side - which is very rare.
This handsomely designed brass chromium plated (also seen gold-tone plated which is rare) desk lighter was based on the Adonis lighter fitment. Primely available in genuine pigskin and a more expensive alligator-lizard finish. A year later genuine mahogany wood veneer (see pictures)finish was introduced. In 1952 the Senator family expanded by two other wood veneer: walnut and bright wood.
The British version does vary a little bit from the one manufactured in the U.S. In case of the Ronson Senator made in England the base is padded with green thick felt versus made of cork. Also the size of the monogram shield is different - the English one is wider but lower than the American one. The English Adonis fitment is also marked Ronson. Worth to mention is that a Senator without a monogram shield is rare.
Type: petrol (wick) lighter
Marked on the bottom of the base:
RONSON
REG. TRADE MARK
"SENATOR"
MADE IN ENGLAND
BRIT. PAT. NO. 621570
The Negbaur Table Top Lighter was manufactured between 1949 and 1950 in Allbright, New York in the United States. This table lighter had a heavy white alloy metal housing and was available in two finishes: chrome plate (common) and cooper plate (uncommon). The form of this lighter as well the mechanism were quite primitive as for that period. The biggest attitude of this cigarette lighter was it low price.
The lighter body was designed by Herman Treiss.
This lighter was not much a success though one must remember that Negbaur made some fantastic table lighters in the shape of a golf bag, plane, knight and even canons in the earlier years (1930s and 1940s).
This table lighter in a distinguished form of a youngswanwas manufactured in the beginning of the 1960s by M.T.C. in Japan. M.T.C. was a quite successful Japanese company active in the 50's and 60's. There are a lot of interesting examples of the craftsmanship of M.T.C. Looking around the lighter market M.T.C. produced mainly chrome plate cigarette lighters.
The Swan is made of heavy chrome plate and the lighter insert is not removable.
The letters M.T.C. are inscribed in a bell on the bottom of the lighter base.
Type: petrol (wick) lighter
Scarcity: uncommon
Value for very good–mint condition: $20.00–40.00 (approx €15.00–25.00)
The Dunhill 'Jet Plane' Lighter is depicting the famous North American Aviation F-86 Sabre a transonic jet fighter aircraft. The Sabrejet set its first official world speed record of 570 mph (920 km/h) in September 1948. Six years later in 1954 in England this heavy Dunhill figural lighter was manufactured. The production ceased in 1961.
The table lighter was available in polished chrome and also black lacquered. It ignites automatically when the button in the engine intake at the front is pushed – then the canopy opens and exposes the flame. Very efficient and solid mechanism – works at every single try. The base is padded with green felt. Below a drawing of the Sabre F-86.
The Dunhill Sabre Jet is also known under other names like: Dunhill Jet Plane Lighter or Dunhill Airplane (Aeroplane) Table Lighter or just Dunhill Jet Fighter.
Type: petrol (wick) lighter
Marked on the underside of the base:
dunhill
REG. DES. APPL. NO. 872899
MADE IN ENGLAND
Scarcity: rare
Value for good–mint condition: $240.00–450.00 (approx €115.00–350.00)
This Ship's Wheel Table Lighter made by Hamilton was first manufactured in 1940 in the United States. This nautical figural lighter is heavy chrome plated (no. 3QR7561B) - likely the other most famous Hamilton products: the Airplane and the Knight Table Lighter. The top as well the bottom are painted in black. It was though also available in brass finish (no. 3QR7562C) which is rare.
The wick lighter lights by turning the wheel. The lighter is marked on the underside of the base:
MADE IN U.S.A. PAT PEND.
or
MADE IN U.S.A. A PRODUCT OF HAMILTON PAT PEND.
A magazine advertisement from the 1940 says: Marine Style-Turn the Wheel-Lights Up. Here's just the right nautical touch for desk, smoking stand or den-a ship's wheel lighter that never misses. Just turn the wheel and it lights up with a steady lighthouse flame. Designed with all the smooth trimness of true marine engineering and finished in brilliant chromium or brass that will not tarnish or stain. Holds oceans of fluid so that it will go week after week without being refilled, lighting up faithfully at the flick of a finger. Lighter stands 5 inches in height.
A similar lighter design was used by Dunhill and it is rare. It fetches prices above $250.-.
Type: wick (petrol) lighter
Scarcity: uncommon–rare
Value for good–mint condition: $75.00–100.00 (approx €50.00–65.00)
The Varaflame Luralite is one of the 25 different table lighter models of Ronson produced in the second half of the 1960s. This particular butane lighter model was manufactured in Woodbridge in New Jersey (U.S.A.) between 1967 and 1971. The Varaflame Luralite was available in three finishes: gold, anthracite and silver tone (see picture). The surface of the base of the lighter has a patchedpattern.
The removable lighter insert –the Varaflame– is in case of the silver tone finish chrome-plated with some gold color elements; the other two are fully gold color plated. The fingertip flame control is decorated with a light blue Swarovski crystal. The base is padded with cork. A silver label should also be on the underside of the base with few text lines, among others:
The Rowenta Bridge (catalog model: F4515 17/2, see picture) was manufactured in 1954 in Offenbach am Main, Germany. The production ceased short after that in 1957. The Rowenta Bridge was a very successful model manufactured in more than 30 different finishes, like: sterling silver, chromium plate, morocco leather and even nacre finish (mother of pearl).
This wick lighter was generally made of brass and it had two various shapes of the base: oval or of a irregular octagon. Marked on the underside of the base:
Rowenta Bridge
Germany
Pat.pend.
Type: petrol (wick) lighter
Scarcity: uncommon–very rare (depending on type of the finish)
Value for good–mint condition: $50.00–250.00 (approx €35.00–230.00)
The 'Bulb' table lighter was manufactured in ca. 1954. The base of the lighter is in the shape of a bulb and it is made of glass (not crystal glass) and silver sterling (925). It has a sterling plain rim with raised beading around the inside edge and marked 'STERLING'. The maker of this lighter is unknown though the base was most probably manufactured whether in Japan or in the United States.
This Sarome table lighter is probably the best example of a fine imitation of the Ronson Crown. It has even a better construction than the original. The Sarome wick lighter was manufactured between 1953 and 1954 in Japan.
Sarome Co., Ltd. was founded in March 1940 by Kunijiro Segawa in Tokyo, Japan and it was specializing mainly in manufacturing toys. The first cigarette lighters were manufactured in February 1952. Since 1955 butane gas lighters were added to the company's portfolio. The Sarome company still exist and is well known for its high quality luxury cigarette lighters.
The base of the lighter as well the lighter insert are chrome plate. The lighter insert, in opposite to the Ronson Crown, is removable which makes it more user friendly regarding its maintenance. A very good quality of craftsmanship in terms of quality. Not many of these lighters were made which makes them a very rare find.
It is worth to know that SAROME means 'god of flames'.
The bottom of the base is padded with green felt.
Marked on the bottom of the lighter insert:
SGW. MFG. CO. SAROME RTM. NO. 29659 SUPER LIGHTER
Type: petrol (wick) lighter
Scarcity: very rare
Value for good–mint condition: $65.00–120.00 (approx €45.00–85.00)
This table lighter in a form of a jumping or rearing horse was probably manufactured after 1952 by M.T.C. in Japan. M.T.C. was a Japanese company active in the 50's and 60's. There are a lot of interesting examples of the craftsmanship of M.T.C. Looking around the lighter market M.T.C. produced mainly chrome plate cigarette lighters.
If anyone knows something more about M.T.C. please post a comment.
The Jumping Horse is made of heavy chrome plate but was also available bronze plated. The lighter insert is not removable.
The letters M.T.C. are inscribed in a bell on the bottom of the lighter base.
Type: petrol (wick) lighter
Scarcity: rare
Value for very good–mint condition: $40.00–70.00 (approx €30.00–50.00)
The Ronson Tempo was manufactured since 1954both in Toronto (Canada) and Newark (N.J., USA). It was marketed till 1956.
This futuristic table lighter is oval shaped and it uses the face-lifted Ronson Standard fitment. It was manufactured in three different finishes. The most common is the chrome-plated version, the two others are rare: cooper plate and partly chrome plate and partly covered with a thin layer of black paint.
The bottom of the table lighter is padded with green felt.
Type: petrol (wick) lighter
Writing on the underside:
RONSON (R)
NEWARK N.J. U.S.A.
U.S. PATENT 2.481.195
(R)
RONSON
TEMPO
or
RONSON TORONTO, CANADA
CAN.PAT. 449.159. JUNE.15.1948
U.S.PAT. 2.481.195
RONSON
TRADE MARK
TEMPO
The Rolstar Floral was produced only in England in 1955 to probably 1957. This wick lighter is chrome-plated and has a silver floral border decoration - there were at least 5 different floral decorations available. A nice and collectible lighter.
Type: petrol (wick) lighter
Writing on the underside:
ROLSTAR
MADE IN ENGLAND
Scarcity: uncommon
Value for good–mint condition: $20.00–40.00 (approx €15.00–30.00)
