Hermès / Ravinet D'Enfert Lighter Holder for Feudor Disposable Lighter, France ca. 1975

Hermès is a French high fashion luxury goods manufacturer established in 1837. It specializes mainly in leather and lifestyle accessories. Only a few lighter models were branded with Hermes but they were all made by third companies. 

The lighter holder below is a rare item made in small quantity in Paris, France in the 1970s. It was made of brass and heavy silver-plated. The concept of selling such item by Hermes was a bit risky and in the end the market did not accept it. It was expensive and the disposable Feudor gas lighter insert made in Philippines did not match the high-end user expectations. It was the cheapest (4.50 French Francs) disposable lighter Feudor was offering on the market!

The lighter holder was made by Ravinet (Louis) and D'Enfert (Charles) in Paris, France. The company was founded in 1891 and was a leading company in silver and plated silver production which won several international awards during the art deco period (1920-1940). The company ceased activity in 1984. Their address used to be Hotel de Caumartin, 83 rue du Temple, Paris.

The Feudor lighter insert was called the "stick lighter" (fr. le stick), it was cylindrical in shape and could not be refilled. It was a typical throw away item. The Feudor tank was made of a semi-transparent plastic in various colors (vide infra the magazine advertisement from 1974). It was ready available in the 1970s. The top of the lighter and the bottom are made of gold-washed metal. The lighter stick is equipped with a flame adjuster.

The base of the lighter is made in shape of a nest and marked on the bottom: Hermès Paris. Made in France. Also a logo (master mark) of Ravinet D'Enfert logo is punched - RD with a clover resembling a cross. A later version of this holder has a hole punched on the center in order to make it easier to remove the lighter insert.

Scarcity: rare–very rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $120.00–150.00

Weight: ca. 160 grams (without Feudor lighter)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.5 cm (without lighter)
• diameter: 4.5 cm

Henry Schiff Lift-Arm Table Lighter, 1928

This lift-arm desk/table lighter was sold by the "World's Largest Novelty House" N. Shure Co., Chicago between 1928 and 1932. The inventor (78,315) was Henry T. Schiff who was also the president of Fay Manufacturing Co.

It was available in nickel and silver plate. It was a low budget table lighter as the retail price per dozen was only 9$.
 

The nickel-plated lighter insert is removable and attached to the base with two screws. There are no markings on the base of the lighter that could identify the maker. The lighter base is heavy and has a hammered design with a floral and beaded accents.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $35.00–50.00 (€25–35)

Weight: 210 grams (7 3/8 oz)


Dimensions:

• height: 13.5 cm (5.3")
• width: 5.2 cm (2")
• depth: 4.4 cm (1.7")

Worcester & Evans English Pewter Lighter Set, 1951

The Worcester English Pewter Table Lighter Set was marketed by Worcester Silver Co. and made in 1951 in Sheffield, England. The set consists of a silver plated wick lighter shaped of tankard and matching cigarette holder. 

The lighter insert was provided by Evans (USA). It is made of brass and is silver electroplated. Marked on the bottom: EVANS USA

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Both marked on the bottom:

English Pewter 

Made in Sheffield 

England

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition (set): $80.00–120.00 (€60–90)

Weight:

• lighter – 130 grams (4 1/2 oz)
• cigarette urn – 53 grams (1 7/8 oz)

Dimensions:

1. Lighter

• height: 7.3 cm (2.9")
• diameter: 5.2 cm (2")

2. Cigarette holder

• height: 5 cm (2")
• diameter: 5.2 cm (2")

Evans Duchess Table Lighter, 1949

The production of this fully automatic cigarette lighter started in 1949 and finished in 1954. It was completely manufactured by Evans Case Co. in Attleboro, Massachusetts, USA. The Evans Duchess has a chased design available in gleaming silver electroplate finish. A. F. Reilly – the author of the lighter design – received the patent (no. 153,635) from the United States Patent Office in 1949 (filled in 1948).

This wick lighter has very often minor abrasions on the plated surface even if it is boxed and new (old stock). The lighter is padded with green felt.

Marked on the bottom:

U.S. PAT.
RE.19023
EVANS

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $40–60 (approx. €30.00–45.00)

Weight: 130 grams (0.25 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.9 cm (3.0")
• width: 5.6 cm (2.2")
• depth: 3.5 cm (1.4")

FAQ: Dunhill Foxhole & Windproof Lighter Instruction, 1942

This instruction comes from a foxhole lighter manufactured by Dunhill in the 1940s in New York, United States. The lighter was available in two versions: sterling silver and silver plated.

Evans Vestal Lamp Table Lighter, 1950

The production of this fully automatic table lighter started in 1950 and finished in 1954 in the United States. The "Vestal Lamp" made by Evans has a chased design and was available in silver plate and silver sterling  (model no. 84J77).

This wick lighter has very often minor abrasions on the plated surface even if it is boxed and new (old stock). The lighter is padded with green felt.

Marked on the bottom (on screws):

U.S. PAT.

RE.19023

EVANS

PAT. PEND.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for good–mint condition: $30–50 (silver plate), $150–200 (sterling silver)

Weight: 120 grams (4 1/4 oz.)

Dimensions:

•     height: 7.7 cm (3.0")
•     length: 9.5 cm (3.7")
•     width: 3.9 cm (1.6")

Flaminaire Quercia Gentry Table Lighter, 1947

The Flaminaire Gentry Desk/Table Lighter was the first gas lighter in the world to be sold commercially. The manufacturing started in Paris, France in 1947 and lasted till 1951. The lighter itself was presented to the wide audience at the Hotel Crillon in Paris on 19th of June 1947. The appearance of a new lighter concept was accompanied by full page magazine advertisements. The lighter itself was very expensive – 20,000 Francs (average French salary) and only few could afford it. The best markets for the Gentry except France were the United Kingdom and USA.

The marketing success of the Gentry and other models made by Flaminaire like Baronet began a new era in the lighter industry. The manufacturers were starting to switch from gasoline to gas which involved new inventions that allowed among others to resign from the factory made "butagaz" tanks used by the Gentry.

The Gentry lighter was based on Pingeot patent dated March 21, 1935 which was sold to Marcel Quercia. After the II World War M. Quercia together with the Shell corporation started to refine and manufacture the idea of Pingeot. Soon the Buta-bloc lighter was born, so named to identify the lighter’s butane gas refill system which was patented in France in 1946 (patent no. FR 912414-A). The design of the Flaminaire was patented a year later in Jul, 1 1947 by Marcel Quercia and Georges Ferdinand (patent no. FR 923219-A, see below).

The body of the table lighter was made of brass and was available in at least six different finishes:

1. Gold plate combined with pearl brown lacquer (very rare, from 1949).
2. Silver plate combined with black lacquer (rare).
3. Silver plate with dotted texture (rare).
4. Silver plate with vertical stripes (rare, see picture).
5. Silver plate mainly covered with alligator skin (rare).

The Gentry Lighter is marked on the bottom:

Fonctionne au BUTAGAZ

FLAMINAIRE

Mis en service le

Brevete France & Etranger

QUERCIA 

PARIS

MADE IN FRANCE

The gas tank allowed according to Flaminaire for 10000 lits. And if the gas tank was empty you had to buy another one. If you want to dismantle the lighter this video might be helpful.

Type: gas (butane) lighter

Scarcity: rare to very rare (dependent on finish)

Value for very good–mint condition: $100.00–200.00 (approx. €75.00–150.00)

Weight: 340 grams (0.75 lbs)

Dimensions:

• height: 99 mm (3.9")
• width: 72 mm (2.8")
• depth: 36 mm (1.4")

Dunhill "Baby Sylph" Cigarette Lighter, 1949

Alfred Dunhill ltd. manufactured between 1948 and 1954 one of the smallest fully working and for sure most exclusive lighters in the world. The so called "Baby Sylph" was marketed in solid silver, silver electroplate or gold plate. The lighter showed below has a reeded decoration. The original is stamped "Dunhill" and "Made in England". It has many reproductions which are cheap imitations made in Japan in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: very rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $400.00–800.00 (approx €300.00–600.00)

Weight: 31 g (1oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 2.2 cm
• length: 1.5 cm
• depth: 1.1 cm

W.B. MFG Co., 793 Strikalite Table Lighter, 1947

The W.B. MFG Co. Table Lighter with the pattern no. 793 was made between 1947-1949 by Weidlich Brothers (Bros) Manufacturing Company which operated in Bridgeport, Connecticut from 1901 until the 1950. The brothers who established and run the business were Louis, Frank, and William. They produced a wide variety of art metal ware.

The lighter was sold alone or as a set with a matching cigarette holder. Both of them were silver-plated. The ornamental design of the lighter was invented by Alfred J. Flauder who has in his records over 80 design patents credited between 1913 and 1948 for the W.B. Manufacturing Co.

Beside the table lighter he designed jewelry cases, salt and pepper shakers, crucifix pedestals, candlesticks, a variety of spoons, statuettes, perfumer and disinfectant units, clock cases, athletic trophies, jewel cases and much more. Flauder together with Louis Weidlich obtained also two patents for manufacturing methods - one for lowering costs of die-making and one for hollow ware.

The bulky base of the lighter is marked on the bottom:

W.B. MFG Co.
793
PAT 151340 U.S.A.

or 

W.B. MFG Co.
793
Pat. Applied For

The lighter insert itself was made of brass and silver-plated and was supplied by another American company called Strikalite.

There at least two other patterns of the lighter known (no. 797 and a floral design). All of them are uncommon and none of the design was patented.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

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

Weight: 190 g (6.70oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 9.6 cm (3.8")
• diameter: 5.2 cm (2.0")

Below the design patent of the table lighter registered on October, 12, 1948 by the United States Patent Office.

Ronson Penciliter, 1948

This second generation of the Ronson Penciliter was manufactured between 1948 and ca. 1957 in the USA. As the predecessor it was a combination of a one-motion wick lighter and super-fine propel-repel mechanical pencil. It was made in plenty of various finishes (and textures):

1. Rhodium plated engine-turned, model no. 48701 (common),
2. 1/20 14 K. gold filled engine-turned, model no. 48902 (common) see picture below,
3. Chromium plated engine-turned, model no. 53141 (uncommon),
4. Chromium/rhodium plated with ebony enamel, model no. 53445 (uncommon),
5. Chromium/rhodium plated with burgundy enamel, model no. 53442 (uncommon),
6. Chromium/rhodium plated with blue enamel, model no. 53443 (rare).

The removable pencil unit contains an eraser and a compartment for spare leads.The Penciliter was a huge success in England and the U.S.

Marked on the the top of the lighter body:

RONSON "PENCILITER"
XXXXX (for instance: 1/20 14 K. gold filled)

We owe the streamline design of the "combined lighter and writing implement" to Frederick Kaupmann. Below an illustration derived from the patent no. 151,771 presenting side views, taken from different angles, of the penciliter. The design was patented in the United States Patent Office on the 16^th of November, 1947.

The Penciliter was advertised in Life magazine in 1949 in these words: for father’s day, June 19th give dad the new Ronson Penciliter. always at hand…. to light with... to write with!…. It’s a really new and different gift for Dad! The world’s finest lighter and a superb mechanical pencil are combined in the handsome Ronson Penciliter. It’s finely balanced… it’s streamlined… it’s always at hand for the two things he does most - lighting (press -it’s lit… release -it’s out)… and writing. He’ll constantly use... constantly thank you for the new Ronson Penciliter! Your choice of two styles in a handsome gift box 1/20 14K Gold filled $15.00 (plus tax); plated with Rhodium (a precious non-tarnishing metal of the platinum group) $10.00 (no fed. tax)

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: common–rare

Value for good–mint condition: $50.00–120.00 (approx €40.00–80.00)

Weight: 47 grams (0.1 pound)

Dimensions:

• width: 1.7 cm (0.7")
• length: 14.4 cm (5.7")

 PS. The first generation of the Ronson Penciliter manufactured between 1935 and 1948 was described here.

Beney Thada Table Lighter, 1948

The Beney "Thada" Table Lighter was manufactured between 1948 and 1951 by Beney Limited in Beckenham, Kent (England). It is a heavy but handy brass made and electro silver-plated table lighter in Empire style.

The automatic lighter fitment is not removable. Marked on the thumb lever: BENEY

The Beney Company was founded by Robert Ernest Beney of London, England. R. E. Beney invented and marketed the first Beney mechanical lighter in 1919, three years before Dunhill. The founder of Beney designed numerous models for his own company as well invented the automatic hunting horn mechanism for Alfred Dunhill. E. Beney also designed and manufactured numerous luxury lighters and striker boxes for Alfred Dunhill of London as well as Hermes of Paris. 

The original company was sold in 1938 and renamed Beney Limited which was than administrated in Saville Works, Croydon Road, Beckenham, Kent in the UK. The biggest selling line manufactured by Beney was the Economic Gas Lighter which hung on the side of housewife's gas cookers and was also used for lighting Bunsen burners in laboratories. In 1939-1940 the company moved its administration to the Beney Lighter premises in Beckenham after the Head Office at Trinity Square along with many company records were destroyed in a 'doodlebug' flying bomb attack. Beney Ltd. continued producing lighters at least through the late 1954.

The British company is known for its high quality lighters often placed in the premium segment for instance:

• Beney Strikalite in 1920s,
• Beney Utility Lighter in 1930s,
• Beney model "666" in 1940s,
• and other lift-arm pocket and table lighters.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for good–mint condition: $35.00–60.00 (approx €25.00–40.00)

Weight: 310 grams (0,68 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 9.5 cm (3.7")
• width: 5.5 cm (2.2")
• depth: 3.5 cm (1.4")

Mosda Period Series Automatic Table Lighter, 1950

This small wick table lighter was made in 1950 in Birmingham (47-48 Frederick St.), England by Mosda. Mosda was a middle company (approx. 125 employees) founded by Moss Davis in 1948. It went into liquidation in the 1969. The company produced lighters, office items such as: stapling machines, hole punchers, propelling pencils and pencil sharpeners. Both the lighters and the office equipment were sold through various wholesalers and tobacconists throughout the UK and were exported throughout the world.

Both the base of the lighter and the removable lighter insert were made of brass and then silver electroplated. There are at least three different models of the Period Series known (different decoration, e.g. Georgian with embossed pattern).

Marked on the bottom of the base:

Mosda Period Series

E P N S

Automatic 

Table Lighter

Made in England

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $60.00–90.00 (approx €45.00–65.00)

Weight: 154 grams (0.34 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.5 cm (2.6")
• diameter: 6.0 cm (2.4")

Many thanks to Lawrence Mosda for the info on the company!

Ronson Colonial Table Lighter, 1936

This heavy silver plate Ronson table lighter was first manufactured in 1936 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. The production ceased short before the outbreak of the Second World War. This wick lighter looks very stately and proud - definitely one of my favorite Ronson lighters.

The body of the lighter is made of die cast "white metal" and heavy silver-plated. It weights a substantial 385 grams. Decorated in a delicate colonial style and floral patterns. The Ronson Colonial uses the standard Adonis lighter insert.

The base has a green felt pad and the silver plate is protected by a transparent lacquer which often is deteriorated and has to be washed up.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the base:

RONSON (R)
NEWARK.N.J.U.S.A.
U.S PATENT RE. NO. 19023
CANADA PATS.-288.148-289.889
RONSON
"COLONIAL"
TRADE MARK

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $100.00–150.00 (approx €70.00–105.00)

Weight: 385 grams (0,85 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.7 cm (2.6")
• width: 5.7 cm (2.2")
• depth: 7.2 cm (2.8")

WMF Permanent Match Table Lighter, ca. 1920s

A fine example of a semi-automatic table lighter from the early 1920s (or late 1910s) linking the era of permanent matches and automatic lighters. This lighter was made by Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik AG (WMF) a German tableware manufacturer, founded in 1853 in Geislingen an der Steige, Germany, by the miller Daniel Straub and the brothers Schweizer.

WMF acquired the Polish metal-ware factory Plewkiewicz in Warsaw in 1886, which then became a subsidiary of WMF around 1900. It is very possible that this lighter was actually manufactured there.

This WMF lighter is combined with an ash-tray. The lighter is made of brass and silver plated and than artificially tarnished (oxidized) in the decorative surface areas. The fuel-filled metal tank is in the form of a matchbox which makes this permanent match even more interesting.

How it works? On the enclosed top which prevented the volatile liquid from evaporating, and to conveniently extinguish the flame a separate metal rod serving as wick is present. The rod is removed but not as in most permanent matches scratched against a flint on the side of the case to create a spark. The internal wick catches fire owing to the flint mechanism installed in the bottom section of the lighter where the sparks are engraved. To generate spark one must just turn the knob. The flame is extinguished by placing the rod into the shell, where it absorbs fuel for the next use.

Marked on the bottom:

Xo
I/O

Type: permanent match

Scarcity: very rare

Value for very good–mint condition (silver or gold plated): $250.00–450.00 (approx €200.00–380.00)

Weight: 260 grams (0.58 lbs)

Dimensions:

• height: 14.0 cm (5.5")
• diameter: 11.9 cm (4.7")

Ronson Regency Essex, 1956

The Ronson Regency was first manufactured in 1956 in England. The lighter uses the smaller Ronson Essex fitment which is silver-plated and marked on the bottom:

RONSON
REG. TRADE MARK

MADE IN ENGLAND

BRIT. PAT. NOS.

621570 724448

This wick lighter has a silver plate heavy cast white metal base. The bottom of the base is padded with black felt. 

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for good–mint condition: $65.00–80.00 (approx €50.00–60.00)

Weight: 280 grams (0,61 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 9.2 cm (3.6")
• diameter: 4.8 cm (1.9")

Ronson Tablelighter Banjo, 1927

The Ronson "Tablelighter" came in two versions that can be distinguished by the applied lighter fitment: Banjo and De-Light. The older version (Banjo fitment) of the Ronson "Tablelighter" also called Ronson Banjo Table Lighter was manufactured between 1927 and 1928 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. It was one of the earliest tabletop automatic lighter in the world.

The lighter was made of brass and silver plated. The front and rear panel were covered with snake and Marocco leather. Some of the examples were left without covering.

The casing of the Banjo Lighter was designed by L.V. Aronson and patented on the 17th May 1927 (filled for patent on 2nd February, 1927). The illustration below shows a side elevation of the lighter and an edge view. It comes from the granted patent no. 72,658.

The bottom is padded with green felt. The lighter is marked on the snuffer:

RONSON LIGHTER
P'T'D DEC, 31,1918
OTHER PAT'S P'D'G

as well on the fuel screw on the bottom:

RONSON LIGHTER

PAT. NO 72,658 MAY 17,1927

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: very rare

Value for very good–mint condition: 1 412 zł–600.00 (approx 1 212 zł–450.00)

Weight: 150 grams (0.33 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 12.3 cm (4.8")
• width: 6.5 cm (2.6")
• depth: 3.4 cm (1.3")

Dunhill Sylph Ruler, 1954

The Dunhill Sylph Ruler was manufactured between 1954 and 1961 in England. In 1955 the name of the lighter was changed to 'Sylph Rulerlite'. This lighter is in the shape of a ruler which is marked both with centimeters and inches. It was produced in two finishes: silver plate and solid silver (sterling). In addition a version with a paper cutter at the end was also marketed in the late 1950s.

Marked on the bottom of the base:

SYLPH
dunhill

In the Dunhill catalog from the 1959/1960 the rulerlite was advertised as: A useful, dual-purpose gift, suitable for desk or pocket. Calibrated in inches centimetres.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for good–mint condition (depends on finish): $200.00–550.00 (approx €140.00–370.00)

Weight: 190 grams (0,35 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 1.0 cm (0.4")
• width: 2.0 cm (0.8")
• length: 16.0 cm (6.3")

Ronson Waldorf, 1936

The Ronson Waldorf was first manufactured in 1936 in Newark, N.J., USA. There are two versions of this table lighter. The first was produced between 1936–1937 and the second, which is less scarce, between 1950–1952 (see picture). Both versions used the Ronson Adonis fitment.

This wick lighter is quite heavy – it is made of "white metal" which is silver-plated. The base is padded with green felt. The lighter base has an oval shape and its leitmotiv is a band of leaves.

The second version of the Waldorf was sold alone and in a set consisting of a matching tray and cigarette holder.

Marked on the bottom of the base:

RONSON (R)
NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A.
U.S. PATENT RE. NO. 19023
CANADA PATS.-288.148-289.889
RONSON
"WALDORF"
TRADE MARK

Type: petrol (wick) lighter
Scarcity: rare

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

Weight: 330 grams (0,73 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.5 cm (2.6")
• width: 4.8 cm (1.9")
• length: 7.8 cm (3.1")

Zippo Lady Barbara, Classic Antique 1997

The Zippo Lady Barbara was first released as a 65th Anniversary model lighter in 1997 - it had an etched 65th Anniversary logo on the front (see picture). Lady Barbara was manufactured in three different finishes till 2003 in Bradford, United States. The Lady Barbara Classic Antique has a silver plate antique finish and was manufactured between 1998-2003 and it replicated the classic 1949-51 Zippo Lady Bradford design. Beside the Anniversary model and the Classic Antique model there is a Camel model with a etched Camel logo on the front.

This modern antiqued silver plate lighter can be removed from the Lady Barbara pewter base and used as a normal Zippo pocket lighter. The base is padded with black felt and it is marked: ZIPPO (R) Bradford, PA USA.

This Zippo might be a classic though it looks awkward and feels quite cheap.

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: common

Value for mint condition: $90.00–100.00 (approx €60.00–65.00)

Weight: 276 grams (0.61 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.2 cm (3.23")
• width: 5.2 cm (2.05")
• depth: 2.7 cm (1.06")

Below the product page of the 65th Anniversary Zippo Table Lighter from the German Zippo Collection Catalog 1997/1998 Classics/Selects.

Ronson Lotus Table Lighter, 1953

The Ronson Lotus was manufactured in 1953–1957 in Newark, New Jersey, USA and also in London, England. It is a solid oval-shaped petrol (wick) lighter and it is a perfect example of the Art Deco style. It was available in three finishes:

• gold plate (24K) with black enamel,
  
• chrome plate with black enamel (see picture on the right),
  
• silver plate combined with satin silver plate (see picture on the bottom).

This table lighter was based on the Adonis fitment. The base is padded with green or black felt. Only the silver plate finish is protected by a transparent lacquer.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Marked on the bottom:

BRIT. PAT. 621570
OTHER PATS. PEND
RONSON
REG. TRADE MARK
LOTUS
MADE IN ENGLAND

or

RONSON
NEWARK N.J. U.S.A.
U.S. PATENT 2,481,195
LOTUS

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $60.00–100.00 (approx €40.00–70.00)

Weight: 310 grams (0,68 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 5.6 cm (2.2")
• length: 8.0 cm (3.15")
• width: 4.6 cm (1.8")