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")

eBay: $20,000 for a vintage Dunhill enamel set?

This item is on my eBay watch list since the beginning of the year 2013. It is a masterpiece without doubt. I am referring to a 'fixed price' auction with a 1930s Dunhill Set consisting of the "Unique" wick lighter and cigarette case.

Both items are unusual, made of 0.935 silver and beautifully enameled. The hand-painted enameling workmanship depicts a lovely detailed scene. The price tag? A heavy $20,000 (about €15,000)! The set is in very good condition and it comes in its original box.

Since it was listed it had already 13 price offers and currently 39 watchers including me. Happy hunting!

Ronson Wedgwood Four Seasons Table Lighter, 1956

This wick table lighter – Ronson 'Four Seasons' – was made in 1956 in England by Ronson and Wedgwood. 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 archeological fever caught the imagination of many artists. Nothing could have been more suitable to satisfy this huge business demand than to produce replicas of artefacts. Wedgwoods pottery is  very collectibles nowadays.

The Ronson Wedgwood 'Four Seasons' has a chrome plated  Adonis lighter insert which is mounted in Blue Jasper base made by Wedgwood with overlaid design – putti in four seasons scenes – in white ceramic.

The lighter base is padded with light blue felt. This cigarette lighter was also sold with matching ashtrays.

Marked on the bottom of the base:

1956
WEDGWOOD
MADE IN
ENGLAND

Lighter insert marked:

RONSON
REG. TRADE MARK
MADE IN ENGLAND
BRIT. PAT.
621870
OTHER PATS.
PEND.

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $50.00–90.00 (approx €35.00–70.00)

Weight: 260 grams (0.57 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.3 cm (2.5")
• length: 8.5 cm (3.2")
• width: 4.6 cm (1.8")

Dunhill Sabre Jet Fighter, 1954

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)

Weight: 580 grams (1,28 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.3 cm (3.3")
• width: 14.9 cm (5.9")
• length: 16.1 cm (6.3")

Ronson Leona Table Lighter, 1949

The Ronson Leona was first manufactured in 1949 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. The production ceased in ca. 1955. According to U. Cummings the lighter was named after Leona Aronson who was the wife of Alexander H. Aronson the son of  Louis V. Ronson - the founder of the Ronson Corporation.

A quite successful model marketed in many various finishes. The body of the lighter was available in Venetian bronze plate or silver plate. The enameled center section was even more diverse:

• green enamel (common),
• ivory enamel with red flowers pattern (common),
• black enamel with purple flower pattern (rare),
• black enamel - plane (uncommon)
  
• corn flower blue enamel (uncommon),
• rose (pink) enamel (uncommon).
  

The lower section of this table lighter is finished with a delicate ivy, berries and swirl pattern. The Ronson Leon has a Standard Ronson lighter fitment. The bottom of the base is padded with green felt. It is marked:

RONSON (R)
NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A.
U.S. PATENT PE.NO. 19,023
CANADA PATS. -288,148-289,889 
(R)
RONSON
"LEONA"

or

RONSON (R)
MADE IN ENGLAND
BRIT PAT 621570
RONSON
"LEONA"

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $35.00–100.00 (approx €25.00–70.00)

Weight: 227 grams (0.5 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.3 cm (2.88")
• width: 5.4 cm (2.13")
• depth: 3.8 cm (1.5")

Evans, Imperial Egg, 1953

The Evans Imperial Egg was a very popular table lighter marketed in the 50's. It was manufactured by Evans Case Company in their plant in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, USA and its retail price was $15.00. This horizontal egg opens to reveal a concealed Evans cigarette lighter. The egg has a delicate high-fired enamel combined with Renaissance metal (brass) treatment in an antique finish.

Different form of base and trim. Was available in very various finishes. The most popular were golden and silver satin, white (see picture, four-legged base), pink, yellow, red, green, paste straw and blue delicate enamel.

The Imperial egg is often a very pleasant collector's item because of its beauty and a lot of different nuances. Matching ashtrays and candy dishes were also made. Only on the lighter insert is an Evans mark.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon-rare

Value for good–mint condition: $65.00–120.00 (approx €50.00–90.00)

Weight: 150 grams (0,33 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.5 cm (2.6")
• width: 8.0 cm (3.2")
• depth: 5.3 cm (2.1")