Ritepoint Roman Classic Liter, Vu-Lighter, 1949

The "Roman Classic Liter" Table/Desk Lighter was manufactured by Ritepoint Co. in St. Louis, USA between 1949 and 1954. Sylvester G. Lipic was the inventor of this futuristic looking lighter which was available in four colors. It was the first table lighter with a transparent fuel reservoir (today known as the see through "vu-lighter") which was a lucrative invention as it was widely used in the advertising sector. 

The Ritepoint Liter was advertised as the lighter that "signals the eye — before it's dry". The body was made of a transparent plastic whereas the top and the bottom were made of brass and chrome-plated. The bottom of the lighter is padded with black felt and marked:

RITEPOINT LITER

PAT'S PEND'G

(C) RITEPOINT CO.

ST. LOUIS, MO. U.S.A.

Sylvester G. Lipic Pres.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $30.00–40.00 (€25–30)

Weight: 148 grams (5.2 oz)


Dimensions:

• height: 11 cm (4.3")
• diameter: 4.9 cm (1.9")

Patent: Ritepoint Liter, Table Model, 1949

Sylvester G. Lipic was the inventor as well the designer of the whole Ritepoint Lighters range. He was also the first president of Ritepoint Co. of St. Louis, Mo.  The below patented design was introduced in 1949 as the Ritepoint Roman Classic which was available in four colors. It was the first table lighter with a transparent fuel reservoir (today known as the vu-lighter) which was a lucrative invention as it was widely used in the advertising sector.

 

Advert: Ritepoint 'Table-Desk Liter' and 'Pocket Liter', 1949

Two different magazine advertisements prepared by "Ritepoint" Miller Liter Co. based in St. Louis, U.S.A. The Ritepoint company manufactured in general two models of lighters - a pocket and a table lighter. Both had a visible fuel tank which was a novum in the 1940s.

The advert on on right was published in 1950 in the Saturday Evening Post and that one on the left was published in 1949 in the December issue of Esquire.