Dunhill Catalog, 1959/1960

Today something special! Owing to Martin - a reader of this blog - I am publishing few pages of the rare Dunhill Catalog from 1959/1960. A lot of great table lighters are depicted. Enjoy! 

If you have any other catalogs on lighters you would like to share please email me!

Advert: Lucky Strike Cigarettes 1930-1937

The cigarette ad series is continued with the "Lucky Strike" cigarettes magazine advertisements. Source: ModernMechanix

Scientific American, December 1930

Popular Science, February 1933

Modern Mechanix, February 1937

Ronson Duchess Table Lighter, 1936

The Ronson Duchess wick lighter was first introduced in 1936 and was produced only in Newark (N.J.) in the United States.

The lighter is very light due to its unique construction. The body of the lighter is made of thin metal sheets which are then formed into its unusual design covered with a layer of cooper in an antique Venetian finish. The top as well the bottom are embossed.

Marked on the bottom of the base:

RONSON
U.S. PAT. RE 
No. 19,023

ART METAL WKS. INC
NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A.

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: very rare

Value for good–mint condition: $150.00–250.00 (approx €100.00–175.00)

Weight: 75 grams (0.17 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.2 cm (3.2")
• diameter: 5.6 cm (2.2")

 PS. The box of the lighter is marked "dureum". Any ideas what this is? Kind of finish?

Ronson Colony Table Lighter, 1955

The Ronson Colony wick lighter was produced between 1955 and 1958 in Newark in the U.S. by Ronson. The lighter has an unusual design. It is heavy and owing to the interesting wooden handle very handy.

It was made in two finishes: pewter look and cooper plated. Both finishes were available with two different (color and shape) handles - black painted and natural wood.

The lighter base is padded with cork or dark green fellt. The Ronson Essex lighter fitment is not removable.

Marked on the bottom of the base:

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

(R)
RONSON
COLONY

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $40.00–60.00 (approx €30.00–40.00)

Weight: 350 grams (0.77 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.5 cm (3.3")
• diameter: 6.2 cm (2.4")
• length (with handle): 14.5 cm (5.7")

Advert: Chesterfield Cigarettes 1933-1942

As vintage smoking advertisements seem to be more and more popular I have decided to publish some of the most interesting finds in the web concerning cigarettes, tobacco etc. Let us start with Chesterfield cigarettes magazine advertisements. The Chesterfield brand was introduced by Liggett & Mayers in 1912 as a Turkish-Virginia blended cigarette. It was named after Chesterfield County in Virginia. Using the Chesterfield brand Liggett & Myers was the first to offer two sizes of cigarette, king size and regular in 1952. The Chesterfield brand was sold to Philip Morris in 1999. 

Popular Science, January 1933

Popular Mechanics, February 1935

Modern Machanix, April 1935

Modern Mechanix, September 1935

Popular Mechanics, November 1936

Popular Science, January 1938

Popular Science, June 1942 

Advert: Ronson Touch-Tip, 1935

This Art Metal Works (Ronson) vintage magazine advertisement was published in the Christmas edition of Esquire in December 1935. It depicts the basic range of pocket Ronson lighters as well the popular Touch Tip Octette.

ELDRO TANK [Drollinger] Silver Table Lighter, 1939

The ELDRO TANK wick table lighter was manufactured for a long period between 1939 and 1951 by Herman Else Drollinger Silber- und Metallwarenfabrik in Pforzheim, Germany. The company itself was active since 1925 till ca. 1978 and manufactured mainly metal- and silverware. Else Drollinger produced table and pocket lighters beyond its own ELDRO brand and also "Astro" for ZVG, "KW" for Karl Wieden and for other important German lighter manufacturers like Mylflam and Rowenta (mainly silver mantels).

This semi-automatic table lighter was available in different mantels made of solid silver (.835). The lighter base as well the lighter insert were made of brass and silver-plated. The bottom of the lighter base is padded with green felt.

Marked on the inside of the insert: 

ELDRO TANK
Pat. GMa

In 1951 the patent 815 272 was issued by the German Patent Office (Deutsches Patentamt). See below:

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good – mint condition (dependent on finish): $100.00–160.00 (approx €70.00–110.00)

Weight: 190 grams (0.42 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.2 cm (2.8")
• width: 3.5 cm (1.38")
• length: 6.6 cm (2.6")

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")

Advert: Zippo Cigarette Lighters for Dad, 1953

This Zippo ad was published in Life Magazine on the 14^th of June, 1953. It features four Zippo pocket lighters.

Evans Table Lighters US Patents, 1949-1950

Below three interesting Evans Case Co. (North Attleboro, Massachusetts) US patents from the 1949 and 1950. 

Advert: Ronson Mayfairs, Decanter Deluxe, Crown, Queen Anne, 1947

This black and white Ronson magazine advertisement was published in 1947 in the Life Magazine. It shows among others two bestsellers: Ronson "Crown" and "Queen Anne", pair of Ronson "Mayfairs" and Ronson "Decanter Deluxe".

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 Royalty Wedgwood Table Lighter, 1954

This wick table lighter was made in 1954 in England by Ronson and Wedgwood. 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. 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 collectibles nowadays.

The Ronson Royalty Wedgwood was available in chrome plated fitment which was based on a face-lifted Ronson Rondelight. The  lighter insert is mounted in Blue Jasper base made by Wedgwood with overlaid design – three different mythological scenes – in white ceramic.

The lighter base is padded with light blue felt. The Ronson Royalty was also sold with a matching ashtray.

Marked on the bottom of the base:

WEDGWOOD
MADE IN ENGLAND 
(1954)

Lighter insert marked:

RONSON
TRADE MARK
MADE IN ENGLAND
RONDELIGHT
BRIT. PAT. 621570

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $60.00–90.00 (approx €40.00–65.00)

Weight: 154 grams (0.34 pounds)

Dimensions:

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

Advert: Ronson Newport, Decanter, Georgian & other lighters, 1949

This Ronson magazine advertisement was published in 1949 in Life Magazine. It shows among others the Ronson Crown Set, Ronson Georgian, Ronson Newport and the Ronson Decanter.

Royal Doulton Table Lighter, The Poacher, 1958

This ceramic Royal Doulton "The Poacher" Table Lighter was designed by M. Henk and issued between 1958 and 1973 in England. It is a fine example of the great variety of character jugs/table lighters manufactured exclusively by Royal Doulton Company which is an English company producing tableware and collectables, dating to 1815. Operating originally in London, its reputation grew in The Potteries, where it was a latecomer compared to Spode, Wedgwood and Minton. The Royal Doulton Company began as a partnership between John Doulton, Martha Jones, and John Watts, with a factory at Vauxhall Walk, Lambeth, London. The company took the name Doulton in 1853.

Other character Royal Doulton table lighters are in the shape of: Bacchus, Beafeater, Buz Fuz, Cap'n Cuttle, Captain Ahab, Falstaff, Lawyer, Long Jhon Silver, Mr Micawber, Mr Pickwick, Old Charley, Poacher Porthos, Rip Van Winkle.

It is worth to know that poachers are a family (Agonidae) of small bottom-dwelling cold-water marine fish. They are also known as alligatorfishes, starsnouts, hooknoses, and rockheads.

The lighter base is marked on the bottom:

MADE IN ENGLAND

ROYAL DOULTON 

ENGLAND

"The Poacher".

COPR. 1954.

DOULTON & CO. LIMITED.
Ra No 875201.
Ra No 33325.
Ra No 7095.
Ra No 321/54.

The brass wick lighter insert was provided by Colibri a famous English lighter manufacturer. The company was established by Julius Löwenthal  in 1928. Colibri delivered the lighter insert which was produced in France and W. Germany. Royal Doulton also cooperated with Evans Co. and Ronson. The lighter insert is marked:

Colibri by Kreisler
U.S. PAT
12.267182
U.S. Zone
WEST GERMANY

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for mint condition: $90.00–130.00 (approx €70.00–90.00)

Weight: 290 grams (0.64 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 11 cm (4.3")
• width: 11 cm (4.3")
• depth: 8 cm (3.2")

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")

Advert: Ronson Pioneer Table & Pocket Lighter, 1961

This Ronson magazine advertisement was published in 1961 in Life Magazine. It shows the rather unsuccessful series of the Pioneer pocket and table lighters manufactured in the USA since 1960.

Advert: Ronson Banker Pocket Lighter, 1947

This lovely Ronson magazine advertisement was published in 1947 (exact date and magazine unknown). It shows the pocket cigarette lighter Ronson "Banker" in 14 kt. gold. Great simplistic lay-out in late art deco style.

Ronson Cupid Table Lighter, 1956

This small but relatively heavy Ronson table lighter was first manufactured in 1956 in Newark, New Jersey, USA and the production ceased just two years later. It was available in two versions: black and white enamel both having the gold tone removable Essex lighter insert and three gold colored cupid plaques.

The lighter insert and the beautiful cherubs were made of brass whereas the base was made of white metal alloy. The base is protected with a round felt pad. The lighter fitment is marked:

RONSON (R)

NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A.

U.S. PATENTS 

2,481,195 & 2,715,329

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Gold foil label on the bottom of the base is marked:

CUPID

FASHIONED BY RONSON

Scarcity: uncommon-rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $50.00–80.00 (approx €40.00–60.00)

Weight: 255 grams (0.56 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.1 cm (2.4")
• diameter: 4.6 cm (1.8")

Royal Doulton Table Lighter, Beefeater, 1958

This ceramic Royal Doulton Beefeater Table Lighter was designed by H. Fenton and issued between 1958 and 1973 in England. It is a fine example of the great variety of character jugs/table lighters manufactured exclusively by Royal Doulton Company which is an English company producing tableware and collectables, dating to 1815. Operating originally in London, its reputation grew in The Potteries, where it was a latecomer compared to Spode, Wedgwood and Minton. The Royal Doulton Company began as a partnership between John Doulton, Martha Jones, and John Watts, with a factory at Vauxhall Walk, Lambeth, London. The company took the name Doulton in 1853.

Other character Royal Doulton table lighters are in the shape of: Bacchus, Buz Fuz, Cap'n Cuttle, Captain Ahab, Falstaff, Lawyer, Long Jhon Silver, Mr Micawber, Mr Pickwick, Old Charley, Poacher Porthos, Rip Van Winkle.

It is worth to know that Beefeaters are ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London. In principle they are responsible for looking after any prisoners at the Tower and safeguarding the British crown jewels, but in practice they act as tour guides and are a tourist attraction in their own right, a point the Yeoman Warders acknowledge.

The lighter base is marked on the bottom:

MADE IN ENGLAND

ROYAL DOULTON 

ENGLAND

Beefeater

COPR 1946

Doulton & Co Limited

The brass wick lighter insert was provided by Colibri a famous English lighter manufacturer. The company was established by Julius Löwenthal  in 1928. Colibri delivered the lighter insert which was produced in France and W. Germany. Royal Doulton also cooperated with Evans Co. and Ronson. The lighter insert is marked:

Colibri by Kreisler
U.S. PAT
12.267182
U.S. Zone
WEST GERMANY

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for mint condition: $75.00–100.00 (approx €50.00–70.00)

Weight: 190 grams (0.42 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 9 cm (3.5")
• width: 9 cm (3.5")
• depth: 6.7 cm (3.2")