Predom Termet GZS-03 Table Lighter, Karolina, 1978

The gas table lighter Predom (Termet) GZS-03 was made between 1978-1988 in Pieszyce, Poland. Predom (Zjednoczony Przemysł Zmechanizowanego Sprzętu Domowego) was a Polish corporation manufacturing a wide range of office and household products. The "Termet" division was manufacturing gas-fired heaters, boilers, gas burners and pocket and table lighters.

The base of the lighter is made of porcelain manufactured by ZPS "Karolina" (former Königszelt) which was founded in 1860. The base has a pearl finish with silver stripes on the legs. There are at least five other "Karolina" designs known. The base is stamped: KAROLINA, MADE IN POLAND, 1 (quality mark). These lighters were also available in a set consisting of: lighter, cigarette holder and ashtray.

The lighter insert is chrome plated and stamped on the side: Predom Termet logo, gas model lighter GZS-03 and the month and year of production 10-82. The lighter insert was used in other versions than porcelain bases, like crystal glass and wood. 

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Scarcity: common-uncommon

Value for very good condition: 10-20 EUR

Weight: 220 grams (0.48 pounds)

The graphic coming from the original box: Zapalniczka, zestaw stołowy porcelanowy

Dimensions:

• height: 6.5 cm (2.6")
• width: 6 cm (2.4")
• length: 11 cm (4.3")

Ronson Scandia Table Lighter, 1955

The Scandia Table Lighter was first manufactured by Rosenthal and Ronson in 1955 in Newark, N.J. U.S.A. The base of the lighter is made of white China porcelain (Rosenthal) and dark rosewood. It was marketed in the United States separate and in a set with a matching cigarette holder.
 

 
Golden foil label on the bottom of base is marked:

SCANDIA
FASHIONED BY RONSON

CHINA BY
ROSENTHAL

The small chromium plate lighter "Essex" insert is marked:

RONSON (R)
NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A.
U.S. PATENTS
2,481,195 & 2,715,329

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: rare

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

Weight: 135 grams (4 5/8 oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.6 cm (3.4")
• diameter: 5.8 cm (2.3")

Evans 'Hitching Post' Table Lighter, 1956

This fine bone China Porcelain Evans 'Hitching Post' table lighter was designed and manufactured by Evans in the U.S.A. between 1956 and 1961. During the years of manufacture two different versions were produced with small changes to the bottom of the lighter base.

The lighter was marketed as a gift set for a gentleman. The 3-piece set consisted of a lighter and matching urn and ashtray (no. EC310W1029 or EC-123). The lighter was also available separately (EC311W735 or EC-124) in white or black China.

The Evans gold-tone brass insert uses a wick lighter with a red seal which is a patented fuel control.

The base of the lighter in shape of a horse which is often seen  on decorative hitching posts (it is a post to which a horse may be tethered to prevent it from straying). The China base is marked  with the Evans logo.

The entire body of this lighter is a very big fuel reservoir.

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $60.00–90.00 (approx. €40.00–60.00); set: $90.00–120.00

Weight:

• 340 grams (12 oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 18 cm (7")
• diameter: 7.6 cm (3")
  

F. Belleri, Limoges Table Lighter, ca 1934

This French porcelain table lighter decorated with delicate hand painted colorful floral bouquets was assembled by F. Belleri & Co ca. in the 1933.

The semi-automatic wick lighter insert is unmarked. It is made of brass and is quite robust. The white glazed base of the lighter was entirely made by hand in Limoges, France which is known for its 19th-century Limoges porcelain. Very clean decoration.

Marked on the bottom of the porcelain base:

F. BELLERI & Co
St. ETIENNE (Loire)
MODĘLE DĘPOSE
BELIEF
MAIN
LIMOGES FRANCE

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: very rare

Value for good–mint condition: $60.00–100.00 (approx €15.00–30.00)

Weight:

• 370 grams (0.81 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.7 cm (3.4")
• width: 5.5 cm (2.2")
• length: 8.3 cm (3.3")

Ronson Lenox Set Lighter and Cigarette Holder, 1959

The Ronson Lenox Set consists of a lighter and a matching cigarette holder. The set was manufactured between 1959 and 1960 in the United States of America. The Set made of bone china porcelain was available in few different finishes trimmed in gold: asparagus green (see picture), light pink, plain wait and white with a flying bird scene.

Lenox was founded in 1889 by Walter Scott Lenox as Lenox's Ceramic Art Company, Trenton, New Jersey. From the start it was organized as an art studio and not as a factory. It did not have full lines of ceramics but rather one-of-a-kind artwares. The company at first had just eighteen employees. Their products were carried in shops specializing in high-quality pottery. Lenox's products were first displayed at The Smithsonian Institution in 1897.

Lenox's products became popular in the early 20th century when separate dining rooms and hostess parties became the new trend. Lenox then started making custom-designed, elaborately decorated dining plates. He faced European competition but commissioned famous American artists such as William Morley to decorate his plates. He gained success at this and eventually turned his attention to complete sets of dinnerware. In 1906 he changed his firm's name from the Ceramic Art Company to Lenox Incorporated to show the widing scope of his products. Lenox sells tabletop, giftware and collectible products. Lenox remains the only major manufacturer of bone china based in the United States.

The removable gold tone Essex lighter insert is marked on the bottom:

RONSON (R)

NEWARK, N.J., U.S.A.
U.S. PATENTS
2,481,195 & 2,715,329

The porcelain base of the lighter as well the cigarette holder are marked:

LENOX
MADE IN USA

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition (set): $100.00–150.00 (approx €70.00–110.00)

Weight:  

• cigarette holder:  110 grams (0.24 pounds)
• table lighter: 215 grams (0.47 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 11.8 cm (4.6")
• diameter: 7 cm (2.7")

Ronson Royal Crown Derby Table Lighter, 1954

This porcelain table lighter was made in 1954 in England by Ronson and Royal Crown Derby. The base of the lighter is fine bone China "fashioned exclusively for Ronson" by the the Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company. It is in Imari pattern. These brightly coloured Japanese Imari patterns, are generally featuring intricate geometric patterns layered with various floral designs. These designs proved extremely and lastingly popular in the XIX and XX century.
 
The Royal Crown Derby, based in Derby, England, is particularly known for its high-quality bone china, has produced tableware and ornamental items since approximately 1750. It was known as "Derby Porcelain" until 1773, when it became Crown Derby, the "Royal" being added in 1890, the factory having closed and been revived in the meantime.

Marked on the bottom of the base - ROYAL CROWN DERBY ENGLAND BONE CHINA "FASHIONED EXCLUSIVELY FOR RONSON":

A gold tone Ronson Essex fitment was used as the removable lighter insert. It is marked:

RONSON (R) 
NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A. 
U.S. PATENT 2,481,195

It is worth to know that the Royal Crown Derby and Ronson issued a very similar lighter in 1974. It had a gas lighter fitment and the bone China body was available in two Imari patterns in the same shape as the old one. Marked on the bottom:

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $70.00–110.00 (approx €55.00–80.00)

Weight: 235 grams (0.52 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.2 cm (2.8")
• diameter: 8.7 cm (3.4")

Evans Rose Table Lighter, 1952

This Bone China 'Evans Rose' table lighter decorated with delicate hand painted pink roses and gold elements on a white background was designed and manufactured by Evans U.S.A. in 1952. This model came also in other hand paintings.

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 is made of white glazed bone china which is a type of porcelain that is composed of bone ash, feldspathic material and kaolin. This kind of porcelain is known for its high levels of whiteness and translucency and very high mechanical strength and chip resistance.

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: common

Value for good–mint condition: $20.00–30.00 (approx €15.00–20.00)

Weight:

• 195 grams (0.43 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 9.5 cm (3.74")
• diameter: 6.5 cm (2.56")
  

Ronson & Rosenthal, Harold Sitterle Lighter, 1954

This Ronson table lighter was manufactured in 1954 in a limited quantity. It is special because of the designer of the porcelain base – Harold Sitterle – famous American designer born in 1921. His works are now very collectible. Some of his (and his wife Trudi Sittelre) works – like the Pepper Mill, Ashtray, Salt Dish and Spoon – are in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

This tall petrol table lighter is made of white glazed Rosenthal porcelain with a mat black finish on the top or the other way round (other version). Two models were actually issued – the other one can be seen in this magazine advertisement. The original price tag: $32.50

This lighter was also available as a set including an ashtray (like a simple plate) also designed by Harold Sitterle.

Marked on the bottom of the porcelain base:

Rosenthal
SELB-PLOSSBERG
GERMANY
Fashioned for Ronson
Harold Sitterle

The lighter insert is a common Ronson Essex fitment with an additional leverage made of brass. The lighter insert is marked:

RONSON (R)
NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A.
U.S. PATENT 2.481.195

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $80.00–140.00 (approx €60.00–100.00)

Weight:

• 430 grams (0.95 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 21 cm (8.26")
• diameter: 10.7 cm (4.2")
  

Evans & Limoges Table Lighter, 1956

This French porcelain table lighter decorated with delicate hand painted floral bouquets on a white background framed in gilt scrollwork was manufactured in cooperation with Evans U.S.A. in 1956. Evans provided the gold-tone brass insert and the Limoges Castel Porcelains factory the white glazed porcelain base.

The green Limoges FRANCE mark was used by Limoges Castel Porcelains between 1955 and 1979. They were known for manufacturing Limoges boxes which were decorated mostly with transfers. The factory was established in 1944 and is still active today as a part of Haviland Co.

Marked on the bottom of the base:

Hand Painted
Limoges
FRANCE

Lighter insert marked:

EVANS
U.S.A.

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $20.00–40.00 (approx €15.00–30.00)

Weight:

• 195 grams (0.43 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 9.5 cm (3.74")
• diameter: 6.5 cm (2.56")