Advert: Ronson De-Light Lighters, Art Metal Works 1928

A black and white full page magazine advertisement published in the USA in 1928. It features the De-Light lighter series made by Art Metal Works, Inc (Newark, New Jersey, USA). It is advertised with words like: "The World's greatest lighter", "A flip and it's lit. Release and it's out!" and "The gift of gifts".

Advert: Ronson De-light Cigarette Lighters, 1929

A black&white magazine advertisement published in The Saturday Magazine on November 1929. It depicts the Ronson De-Light Series including the table lighter Ronson Tabourette.

Ronson De-Light Superba Table Lighter, 1929

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)

Weight: 150 grams (0.32 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 12,9 cm (5")
• width: 7.5 cm (3")
• depth: 5.3 cm (2")

Ronson Tablelighter (De-Light), 1928

The Ronson "Tablelighter" came in two versions that can be distinguished by the lighter fitment used: Banjo and De-Light. The later De-Light version was manufactured between 1928 and 1932 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. The Banjo Tablelighter was one of the earliest fully automatic table lighters introduced to the market.

The lighter casing was designed by L. Aronson in 1927 (USA) and has not been changed since than (except the fitment). The lighter is made of brass and plated with nickel (German silver) which was again silver or gold plated.

The front and rear panel were covered with different types of skin: alligator, ostrich, snake, pigskin or black, red, green, gray and brown marocco leather.

The Ronson Tablelighter was available in different configurations among others with a German Sheppard dog figure and four ashtrays (very rare) or with an elephant figure (seen only in the Urban K. Cummings guide). 

Below an illustration of the Ronson Tablelighter in black marocco leather derived from the Ronson De-Light catalog dated 1931.

The bottom of the lighter base is padded and marked on the fuel screw:

RONSON TABLELIGHTER

PATENTED

1290011–1673727

OTHER PATS P'D'G.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare–very rare

Value for very good–mint condition: 706 zł–350.00 (approx 687 zł–275.00)

Weight: 145 grams (0.32 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 12 cm (4.6")
• width: 6.5 cm (2.6")
• depth: 3.4 cm (1.3")

FAQ: Directions for use of Ronson De-Light, 1929

The instruction below was added in 1929-1931 to some of the De-Light pocket lighters, including:

• Ronson De-Light Junior,
• Ronson Standard Sport (with the early De-Light fitment),
• Ronson Junior Sport,
• Ronson Princess,

as well to both Ronson De-Light table lighters:

• Ronson Tabourette,
• Ronson Tablelighter.

You will learn how to:

• fill
• renew spark metal (flint)
• operate

and directions for care of wick and some important notice.

Ronson De-Light Tabourette Table Lighter, 1928

The De-Light Ronson Tabourette was first manufactured in 1928 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. The production was ceased in 1933. It was the first Ronson table lighter along with the Banjo Tablelighter.

This Tabourette Table Lighter was available for the mass-consumer in chromium plate (model no. 12417) and in black leather (model no. 12280). The chromium plate Tabourette had a diamond-shaped monogram shield in the center (see photo). The second model covered partly with black leather had an oval monogram shield.

The table lighter was also marketed in the luxury segment - made of solid sterling sliver in three designs:

• barley design (model no. 12273),
• basket weave design (model no. 12274),
• fluted design (model no. 12275).

All three above mentioned models had a rectangular monogram shield and are very rare.

The base of the table lighter is padded with green felt.

The Tabourette was also marketed in various sets like the "Ronson Smoker Set" (model no. 13033) which consists of a removable Tabourette, pottery bowl and marbleized base. See the illustration below retrieved from the Ronson De-Light Catalog from 1931.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare–very rare

Writing on the underside:

PAT.JAN.17.1928

RONSON

DE-LIGHT

PAT'S P'D'G.

Value for good–mint condition: $125.00–750.00 (approx €100.00–550.00)

Weight: 105 grams (0,23 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 10.5 cm (4.13")
• width: 6.2 cm (2.4")
• depth: 3.4 cm (1.3")

Ronson De-Light Tabourette Table Lighter, 1928

The De-Light Ronson Tabourette was first manufactured in 1928 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. The production was ceased in 1933. It was the first Ronson table lighter along with the Banjo Tablelighter.

This Tabourette Table Lighter was available for the mass-consumer in chromium plate (model no. 12417) and in black leather (model no. 12280). The chromium plate Tabourette had a diamond-shaped monogram shield in the center (see photo). The second model covered partly with black leather had an oval monogram shield.

The table lighter was also marketed in the luxury segment - made of solid sterling sliver in three designs:

• barley design (model no. 12273),
• basket weave design (model no. 12274),
• fluted design (model no. 12275).

All three above mentioned models had a rectangular monogram shield and are very rare.

The base of the table lighter is padded with green felt.

The Tabourette was also marketed in various sets like the "Ronson Smoker Set" (model no. 13033) which consists of a removable Tabourette, pottery bowl and marbleized base. See the illustration below retrieved from the Ronson De-Light Catalog from 1931.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare–very rare

Writing on the underside:

PAT.JAN.17.1928

RONSON

DE-LIGHT

PAT'S P'D'G.

Value for good–mint condition: $125.00–750.00 (approx €100.00–550.00)

Weight: 105 grams (0,23 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 10.5 cm (4.13")
• width: 6.2 cm (2.4")
• depth: 3.4 cm (1.3")