Ronson Varaflame Claridge, Wood, 1966

The Ronson Varaflame Claridge was first introduced in 1966 in England. The production ceased in 1969. The base of the lighter was made of two specially selected cotrasting woods. The curved design of the lighter is similar to the Varaflame Jupiter which also was manufactured in the 1960s.

The removable lighter insert – the Varaflame – is chrome-plated and has a fingertip flame control. The insert is fastened to the base with a black plastic screw.

Type: butane (gas) lighter

Writing on the underside of the base:

RONSON (R)
REGD. TRADE MARK

MADE IN ENGLAND

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $25.00–40.00 (approx €20.00–35.00)

Weight: 130 grams (0.29 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.0 cm (2.36")
• width: 9.2 cm (3.6")
• depth: 3.6 cm (1.42")

Advert: Ronson "Le Dix" Table Lighter, 1977

This Ronson advertisement was published in a French magazine on 1977. It depicts the Ronson Varaflame "Le Dix" butane table lighter with a heavy pewter base and two gas pocket lighters; the Ronson "Electric 7" and "Veratronic". The "Le Dix" table lighter was marketed in the USA as the "Varaflame Tankard".

Advert: Ronson Varaflame Premier & Rafale Pocket Lighters, 1960

This Ronson magazine advertisement was published in an unknown French magazine in 1960. It depicts Ronson pocket butane lighter models such as: Varaflame Premier and Rafale.

Ronson Noir Smoking Set, 1972

This smoking set was crafted in cooperation by Ronson and Rosenthal GmbH between 1972 and 1974 in West Germany. Ronson made the lighter insert and Rosenthal the porcelain base. Rosenthal is a famous German porcelain manufacturer. The company was established by Philipp Rosenthal in 1879 (now part of Sambonet Paderno). The products were first marked with the company name in 1907. Rosenthal produced many innovative designs under its higher end "Studio S Linie" brand.

The base of the lighter as well as the cigarette holder and ashtray are made of black porcelain finished in mat (only the top cover of the cigarette holder and the inside of the ashtray are made of glossy porcelain). The table lighter uses the Ronson round Varaflame gas fitment. It is chrome plated. Different finishes of the finger flame control are known. 

Marked on the bottom of the base:

Rosenthal 

PORCELAINE NOIRE

Wirkhelm

Studio S Line

Lighter insert marked:

RONSON (R)

MADE IN W. GERMANY

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition (set): $80.00–120.00 (approx €50.00–80.00)

Weight:

• lighter: 170 grams (0.37 pounds)
• cigarette holder: 175 grams (0.39 pounds)
• ashtray: 235 grams (0.52 pounds)

Dimensions:

Table lighter:

• height: 8.5 (3.35")
• diameter: 5.0 cm (1.97")

Cigarette holder:

• height: 6.0 cm (2.37")
• width: 9.3 cm (3.66")

Astray:

• height: 3.3 cm (1.3")
• length: 12 cm  (4.7")
• width: 9.0 cm (3.54")

Ronson Varaflame Wedgwood Ulysses Table Lighter, 1968

This Ronson table lighter was made in 1968 in England by Ronson and Wedgwood. The Ronson Varaflame Wedgwood 'Ulysses' has a chrome plated standard Varaflame insert which is mounted in Wedgwood Blue Jasper base with overlaid design – heroic battle scene – in white ceramic. In the 1950s Ronson & Wedgwood used the same scene in its Ulysses wick lighter.

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 collectible nowadays.

The lighter base is padded with light blue felt. Marked with a sticker on the bottom of the base:

RONSON (R)
Regd. trade mark
MADE IN ENGLAND 

Lighter insert marked:

RONSON
MADE IN W. GERMANY
PATENTED
RONSON (R)

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $50.00–80.00 (approx €35.00–60.00)

Weight: 290 grams (0.64 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.3 cm (2.5")
• diameter: 8.8 cm (3.5")

Advert: New Ronson Varaflame, 1959

This Ronson magazine advertisement was published in Life Magazine on the 25^th 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.

Advert: Ronson Varaflame Futura, Meteor, Grecian and Four Seasons Lighters, 1959

This Ronson magazine advertisement was published in Life magazine on the 25^th of May, 1959. It depicts the Ronson Varaflame table lighter models: Futura, Meteor, Grecian and Four Seasons.

Ronson Varaflame Victoria, 1964

The Ronson Varaflame Victoria was manufactured in W. Germany in 1964. It is the only Ronson table lighter made of solid silver (800) next to the Jubilee Set (925, sterling).

The removable lighter insert – the Varaflame – is partly chromium-plated and silver-plated. It has a fingertip flame control finished with a blue Swarovski crystal. Marked on the underside: Ronson (R) MADE IN W. GERMANY PATENTED.

The base of the lighter is weighted and marked on the underside of the base on green felt:

Ronson (R)
SOLID SILVER
VICTORIA

Type: butane (gas) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $120.00–150.00 (approx €90.00–110.00)

Weight: 210 grams (0,46 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 9.6 cm (3.78")
• diameter: 7.2 cm (2.8")

Ronson Empress Varaflame Onyx, 1964

The Ronson Empress (Onyx) was manufactured in England between 1964 and 1969. This table lighter was made in white (see picture) and green onyx.

The removable lighter insert – the Varaflame – is gold-color-plated and has a fingertip flame control. The lighter insert is fastened to the base with a black plastic screw.

Type: butane (gas) lighter

Writing on the underside of the base (screw):

RONSON (R)
REGD. TRADE MARK

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $35.00–60.00 (approx €25.00–45.00)

Weight: 360 grams (0.79 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.0 cm (2.36")
• width: 9.2 cm (3.6")
• depth: 3.6 cm (1.42")

Ronson Varaflame Brushed, 1966

The Ronson Varaflame Brushed Alu was manufactured only in England in ca. 1966. The surface of the base of the lighter has a mottled brushed pattern which was used among others on the top of the Ronson trays (look Queen Anne Set). The color of the base is cream pearl.

The removable lighter insert – the Varaflame – is chrome-plated and has a fingertip flame control decorated with a light blue Swarovski crystal.

The base is padded with black felt. The lighter insert is fastened to the base with a black plastic screw.

Type: butane (gas) lighter

Writing on the underside of the base:

RONSON (R)
REG. TRADE MARK
-
MADE IN ENGLAND
PATENTED
RD. DES.

Scarcity: rare

Value for good–mint condition: $40.00–65.00 (approx €30.00–45.00)

Weight: 400 grams (0,88 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.0 cm (2.36")
• width: 9.2 cm (3.6")
• depth: 3.6 cm (1.42")

Ronson Varaflame Empire, 1964

This Ronson Varaflame Empire is one of the four table lighters from the "Ronson's Hidden Lighter Collection". They were advertised as: "table lighters for people who hate table lighters". This heavy lighter was introduced into the American market in 1964. The production ceased short after that in 1969. It was probably manufactured only in Woodbrigde (New Jersey) in United States. It was not a bestseller which makes this lighter rather uncommon.

This Ronson has a light (made mainly from plastic) Varaflame fitment which has a fingertip flame adjustment. The top of the lighter insert has a metal cover which was available silver plated or chrome plated.

The top (the lighter insert is mounted there) and the base of the lighter is quite heavy as they are casted from metal and heavy silver-plated. The base is three legged and padded with green felt.

Overall a nice, "distinguished" and timeless collectors' lighter.

Type: butane (gas) lighter

Writing on the underside (sticker):

"VARAFLAME (R)
EMPIRE"
fashioned by
(C) RONSON (R)
WOODBRIDGE, N.J. U.S.A.

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $55.00–100.00 (approx €40.00–70.00)

Weight: 405 grams (0,9 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.0 cm (2.36")
• width: 8.6 cm (3.38")
• depth: 4.4 cm (1.73")

Ronson Forum Table Lighter, Varaflame, 1964

The Ronson Forum Table Lighter was manufactured only in England between 1964 and 1969. The base of the lighter is made of brass – partly satin and partly polished.

The lighter insert – the Varaflame – is gold-color-plated and has a fingertip flame control – at least two different versions of the flame control are known.

Type: butane (gas) lighter

Writing on the underside (plastic screw):

MADE IN ENGLAND
RONSON (R)
REGD. TRADE MARK

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $35.00–55.00 (approx €25.00–40.00)

Weight: 320 grams (0.7 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.0 cm (2.36")
• width: 9.2 cm (3.6")
• depth: 4.2 cm (1.65")

Ronson Varaflame Crown, 1959

The Ronson Varaflame Crown was first manufactured in 1959 and the production ceased in 1966. It was made in Woodbridge in the United States, in France and also probably in the United Kingdom. It is a nice and heavy silver-plated butane lighter. The swirl design and name "Crown" was inherited from the Ronson Crown bestseller manufactured since 1936 as a wick lighter.

The lighter insert is a typical Varaflame fitment used in many different Ronson models. It has a fingertip flame control and is partly silver plated and partly chrome plated. The base of the lighter has a green felt pad and the silver plate is protected by a transparent lacquer.

Marked on the bottom of the base:

"Varaflame
Crown"
fashioned by
RONSON (R)
Woodbridge, N.J.
U.S.A.

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $35.00–60.00 (approx €25.00–50.00)

Weight: 475 grams (1 pound)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.8 cm (3.1")
• width: 7.2 cm (2.8")
• depth: 7.2 cm (2.8")

The Ronson Crown was seen in the movie Harper (1966) with Paul Newman, Robert Wagner and Lauren Bacall. 

 

Ronson Wedgwood, W. Churchill, 1969

This Wedgwood table lighter was made in 1969 in England. The Varaflame type fitment (variable flame control) is mounted in Blue Jasper base made by Wedgwood with a white overlay bust design of Winston Churchill on both sides. This lighter is commemorating W. Churchill - the British politician known chiefly for his leadership of the United Kingdom during World War II.

Marked on the bottom of the base:

WEDGWOOD
MADE IN ENGLAND
EK

Type: gas (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $50.00–90.00 (approx €35.00–65.00)

Weight: 190 grams (0,42 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.5 cm (2.6")
• width: 7.2 cm (2.8")
• depth: 7.2 cm (2.8")

Ronson Varaflame, Queen Anne, 1961

Ronson Queen Anne was probably the best selling table lighter in the world. It was manufactured since the late '30s - first as a wick lighter than in the '60s the design was changed and the Varaflame fitment with fingertip flame adjustment was introduced.

This described butane lighter was manufactured for approx 20 years from 1961 to 1980 only in England. This was one of only few table lighters which despite of rapid changing trends kept its XVIII century Anglican style. The base of the lighter is made from a heavy metal covered by a thick layer of silver. The base is padded with green felt and the silver plate is protected by a transparent lacquer which often is partly deteriorated (spots, white, yellow or brown tint). The lighter insert – Ronson Varaflame – is chrome-plated, unfortunately, not as durable as the wick lighter (no gas leaks etc.).

The Queen Anne was also available in gold-color finish.

Type: butane (gas) lighter

Writing on the underside:

Ronson Varaflame
Made in England
Reg Trade Mark
Patented RD DES

Scarcity: common (silver plate), rare (gold plate)

Value for very good–mint condition (silver plate finish): $15.00–40.00 (approx €12.00–30.00)
Value for very good–mint condition (gold plate finish): $30.00–60.00 (approx €22.00–45.00)

Weight: 405 grams (0,9 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.0 cm (2.36")
• width: 8.6 cm (3.38")
• depth: 4.4 cm (1.73")