Barnett Pearlman Polo Automatic Lighter, 1948

The Polo Automatic Lighter was made by Barnett Pearlman & Co. Ltd in London, England between ca. 1948-1952. The base is made of brass and heavy chrome-plated. The bakelite pedestal gives the column shaped table lighter additional stability.

The lighter was available in two different heights: 9 and 13 cm. The automatic lighter mechanism was invented by Ernest Shinwell and patented by Barnett Pearlman & Co. in 1948 (patent no. 642,908).

The wick lighter is marked on the underside of the base:

Made in England World Patents
POLO
REGD. DES. NO. 857204

Type: automatic petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $50 (approx €30)

Weight: 285 (tall), 235 grams

Dimensions:

• diameter: 6.7 cm 
• height: 13 cm (tall), 9 cm (short)

Advert: Ronson Wedgwood Table Lighter, 1954

This Ronson magazine advertisement was published in a British magazine "Punch" in June 1954. It presents a Ronson table lighter in a Wedgwood blue and white jasper base as "today's most fashionable wedding present".

Beney Lighters Catalog, England 1950s

Below some miniatures of the newly digitized Beney Lighters Catalogue from the 1940s/1950s. It covers the  whole Beney lighter portfolio:

1. Beney Saville Super in Baron, Knight and Lady sizes (pocket lighter).
2. Beney Strikalite (pocket lighter).
3. Beney Thada (table lighter).
4. Beney Saville Globe (desk lighter).
5. Beney Alfresco (pocket lighter).

If you make a donation of $5 and you get this and couple of other publications on lighters (for instance: Lighter Repair Manual) in PDF delivered to you by email! Thank you!

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")

Rowenta & Copeland Spode Table Lighter, 1963

Between 1963 and 1969 Rowenta co-working with the famous English pottery brand – Copeland Spode (England) manufactured a charming table lighter. The base of the lighter was made of ceramic and hand-painted with the Herring Hunt – "The Hunt" pattern. Thus every lighter is different.

Other thing which distinguishes the lighter is the sterling silver (.925) mounting made by Johann Franz Jr. Silberwarenfabrik in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany – marked 925 JF (see below) and weighing approx. 40 grams.

Matching ashtrays, cigarette holders, candle sticks and other tableware were also manufactured and sold by Copeland Spode in the 1960s.

The lighter insert Gas-Snip (model F 4626) was made by Rowenta Metallwarenfabrik GmbH in Offenbach am Main, Germany. It was patented in 1958 and produced on large scale in various finishes between 1959–1970. This particular insert was made of brass and silver plated. It is stamped: 

Rowenta Gas-Snip

GERMANY 

PAT.

The lighter base is round and marked on the bottom:

COPELAND

SPODE

ENGLAND

"OFF TO DRAW"

3

"THE HUNTSMAN"

6

Type: butane (gas) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition:  $90–130.00 USD

Weight: 175 grams (0.38 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.5 cm (3")
• diameter: 6.2 cm (2.4")

Wills's Cigarette Cards: Automatic Cigarette Lighter and Safety Matches, 1926

These two British cigarette trade cards were issued by W.D. & H.O. Wills (tobacco manufacturer) in 1926. They are part of the 50 Wills's Cigarettes 3rd series cards called “Do You Know”. In the UK, Wills in 1887 were one of the first companies to include advertising cards with their cigarettes.

The first card (no. 28) shows the anatomy of an "automatic lighter" (actually it is a semi-automatic lighter). 

On the back of the this card Wills explains how this lighter work:

When the spring knob is pressed the lid flies open, and the steel wheel A rotates. The “flint” is held against the wheel by a spring (not shown in the diagram), and the friction of the milled edge of the steel wheel against the “flint” sends a spark to the wick C and ignites it. The wick is fed from the small reservoir D, which is packed with cotton wool and supplied with petrol.

Other Wills's Cigarette Card linked to fire making is the card no. 40 that explains why is the safety-match safe.

The explanation is as follows: 

Old-fashioned phosphorus matches had many disadvantages. The ordinary white or yellow phosphorus used in them is a deadly poison responsible for many accidental deaths, while the workers who made the matches often suffered from phosphorus poisoning. A modified form of phosphorus know as red phosphorus was first used for making matches in Sweden about 1850. This is perfectly harmless substance, and the manufacture of Safety-Matches is therefore not dangerous. Modern matches are safe in another sense: the phosphorus required for lightning is on the box and not in the match-heads, which are therefore much less liable to catch fire accidentally.

Ronson Lighters Catalog, England 1938/1939

After five hours of work I have just finished to digitize the Ronson Catalog from the 1938. I must admit that it looks great. It covers the whole range of Ronson cigarette table/desk, combo and pocket lighters made that day. Approximately 150 lighters are described and illustrated in this 20-page catalog. A must have for every lighter collector!

Please make a donation of $5 and you get this and couple of other publications on lighters (for instance: Lighter Repair Manual) in PDF delivered to you by email! Thank you!

Advert: Ronson Touch-Tip Table Lighters, 1936

A full page Ronson magazine advertisement published on 9th December 1936 in "PUNCH or The London Charivari" magazine in England. The advert features among others some soght after Touch-Tip Ronson table lighters:

• Touch-Tip Bar,
• Touch-Tip Dispenser,
• Touch-Tip Egyptian Girl,
• Touch-Tip Clock.

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")

Ronson Wedgwood Royalty v2 Table Lighter, 1953

This Ronson wick table lighter was made in 1953 in England by Ronson and Wedgwood. The 'Royalty' had a chrome plated fitment called Ronson Rondelight. It was mounted in a Wedgwood blue Jasper base with overlaid design – depicted are the Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) and Duke of Edinburgh – in white ceramic. The year 1953 was the year of Elizabeth II coronation so the lighter is also a royal memorabilia which does add some extra value to it.

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 archaeological fever caught the imagination of many artists. Nothing could have been more suitable to satisfy this huge business demand than to produce replicas of artifacts. Wedgwoods pottery is  very collectible nowadays.

The lighter base is padded with felt. Marked on the bottom of the base:

WEDGWOOD
MADE IN 
ENGLAND 

1953

Lighter insert marked:

RONSON
TRADEMARK
MADE IN ENGLAND
RONDELIGHT
BRIT. PAT. 621570

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $50.00–75.00 (approx €40.00–60.00)

Weight: 125 grams (0.27 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.5 cm (2.6")
• length: 7.3 cm (2.9")
• width:  5.5 cm (2.2")

Ronson Carousel Table Lighter, 1950

The Ronson Carousel was first manufactured in 1950 in England. The production ceased shortly after in 1954. It has a ball shaped base made of dark and light wood.

This wick lighter was produced with two different chromium plate lighter inserts: flat and the one seen on the picture on the right. Both marked:

RONSON

TRADEMARK

MADE IN ENGLAND

BRIT. PAT. 621570

The bottom of the base is padded with green felt. Golden foil sticker on bottom marked:

RONSON

CAROUSEL

MADE IN ENGLAND

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for very good–mint condition: $30.00–40.00 (approx. €25.00–35.00)

Weight: 150 grams (5 ¹/₈ oz)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.5 cm (3")
• diameter: 6.5 cm (2 ³/₄")

Swiza Alarm Clock Table Lighter, 1959

This Swiza Alarm Clock Table Lighter combination was manufactured mainly for the British market in between 1959 and 1961. It is a very collectible lighter and rare to find in this version. It is equipped with a 30-Hour Desk Lighter Alarm made by Swiza which was founded in 1904 by Louis Schwab in Switzerland. Today Swiza SA is the biggest Swiss table and alarm clock manufacturer.

The clock's face has gilt figures, hours indicators with cream and gold/luminous hands, and a gold alarm hand. The case of the clock is made of brass, partly brushed and partly gold color plated. The base is almost identical to the Phinney-Walker 'Smoke-Time'.

The lighter unit was provided by an English company. It is made of metal and is gold color plated. The rounded base is padded with blue felt.

A Swiza Coquet 4 jewels is also known with an Evans lighter insert. 

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition: $150.00–200.00 (approx €110.00–155.00)

Weight: 450 grams (1 pound)

Dimensions:

• height: 13.0 cm (5.2")
• width: 8.0 cm (3.15")
• depth: 6.0 cm (2.36")

Advert: Ronson Varaflame Lighters, 1960

A full page Ronson magazine advertisement published on 26th December 1960 in an unknown British magazine. The advert features among others Judy Huxtable and two butane table lighters:

• Ronson Varaflame Queen Anne (6),
• Ronson Varaflame Adelphi (8).

FAQ: Instruction for the ANGLIA Table Lighter, 1947

To remove Mechanical Unit, hold body in right hand and Mechanical Unit in left and unsrew.

To recharge with flint, unscrew Knurled Cap, insert flint and spring and replace.

To refuel, hold body in left hand and basein right hand, unscrew, pour fuel in aperature and replace. Use good quality Lighter Fuel only.

Notes

The Anglia Lighter is fitted with special glass wick which cannot burn.

When replacing flint, use good quality only. The size fitted should be standard 2.8 mm diameter.

A PRODUCT OF
STEWART ENGINEERING CO LTD
ANGLIA WORKS, STAINES RD. SUNBURY-ON-THAMES

More about the Anglia Table Lighter can be found 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")

Anglia Table Lighter, ca. 1947

The Anglia table lighter was made in England between ca. 1947 and 1950 by a small British company Stewart Engineering which manufactured only a few lighter models.

It is a very interesting semi-automatic wick lighter that can be considered as an attempt to make a lighter looking alike these manufactured in the early years of the XX century. The action works by pressing the lever on the left side - see picture - which releases the cap, as this springs up it strikes the flint producing a spark.

This lighter was available in chrome plate and polished brass (more uncommon). It was also sold with a rubber tire in different colors round the base. The tire was marked ANGLIA MADE IN ENGLAND.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Marked on the bottom of the metal base:

 ANGLIA

MADE IN ENGLAND

or

ANGLIA
BRITISH MADE
A5 / 1531

or

LIC NO
A5 / 1531

Scarcity: uncommon; Anglia with tire - rare

Value for good–mint condition: 91 zł ($30.00)–60.00 (approx 82 zł (€20.00)–40.00)

Weight: 155 grams (0.34 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 10.5 cm (4.1")
• diameter: 3.7 cm (1.5")

Ronson Penciliter, 1935

This Ronson Penciliter manufactured between 1935 and 1948 both in the USA and England was the first combination of a one-motion wick lighter and super-fine propel-repel mechanical pencil. This combo was patented by Louis V. Aronson in  the United States Patent Office on the 11th of June 1934. See patent no. 92,996 on the right.

Two models of the Ronson Penciliter were made:

1. Black writing grip (model no. 15250), see picture below,
2. Pearl green writing grip (model no. 15252).

The writing grip was made of plastic and the body from brass and then chrome plated (different textures on the upper part). The removable pencil unit contains an eraser and a compartment for spare leads.

The Penciliter is not very difficult to find nowadays as it was a bestseller in England and the U.S. It was advertised as a very practical gift which was indeed in the past smoking era.

Marked below the lighter snuffer:

RONSON

TRADE MARK

PENCILITER

MADE IN ENGLAND 

U.S. PAT. RE. No. 19,023

BRIT. PAT. 291695

The lighter fitment of the Penciliter was also used in a much rarer lighter called Pipeliter or Tubeliter (Tube-A-Liter) which was styled like a fountain pen and could be carried in pencil pocket or vest coat.

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon

Value for good–mint condition: $75.00–100.00 (approx €60.00–80.00)

Weight: 47 grams (0.1 pound)

Dimensions:

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

PS. Here you can find the Ronson Penciliter instruction booklet.

FAQ: Ronson Penciliter (lighter + pencil), 1935

If you possess the first generation of the Ronson Penciliter manufactured between 1935 and 1948 and do not have the instruction booklet this post might be helpful to maintain your lighter in good shape.

How to fuel

Refer to the diagram below for location of fuel chamber. Fill carefully with Ronsonol until wick shows signs of saturation. Shake out excess fuel. With cloth wipe working parts and body of lighter absolutely dry. Fill your lighter regularly. Do not wait until it runs dry. This causes wick to char.

Always see that washer is in good condition.

How to replace flint

Refer to diagram below for location of flint screw. Remove screw and spring and drop out fragment of worn Flint. Insert new Flint into tube. Replace spring with screw but do not tighten till you have operated lighter several times to smooth rough edges of Flint. This ensures easier operation and relieves strain on working parts.

Care and replacement of wick

Always keep wick extended 1/8 inch above the holder so that flame will burn easily. Trim off charred or frayed edges regularly.

When flame dies quickly, your Ronson needs re-fueling. When wick fails to burn properly after re-fueling it should be replaced. Pull out old wick - do not attempt to unscrew wick-holder - remove old cotton wool. Insert new wick by pushing it through wick-holder, pull end of wick out at base, pack cotton wool tightly inside lighter and insert end of wick.

Wick must be mingled with cotton wool or it will not be properly supplied with fuel. For best results change wick every few months.

Care of Flint Wheel

Clean flint wheel regularly, removing clogged accumulation on wheel with accompanying (or similar) stiff brush. (raise snuffer to expose flint wheel) Also regularly remove dust and dirt gathered under lighter mechanism around wick holder and inside snuffer cap.

TO FUEL: Unscrew at point "A" and be sure that flint screw cap "C" is tight before filling.

FOR EXTRA LEADS: Unscrew at "B" and remove ereaser disclosing magazine holding six spare leads.

TO INSERT NEW LEAD: Turn tip as far as it will go to eject old lead. Turn tip back as far it will go. Insert new lead and press in gently till clutch engages.

Dunhill Sylph Letter Opener/Lighter, 1958

The Dunhill 'Sylph' Letter Opener/Lighter was manufactured between 1958 and 1961 in England. This lift arm wick lighter is a combination of the smallest Dunhill 'Sylph Ruler' (handle) and a letter opener blade. It was produced in two finishes: silver plate and gold plate. The handle was made of brass and was available plated with a monogram shield or covered with pig skin colored in red or brown.

Marked on the bottom of the handle:

SYLPH
dunhill

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition (depends on finish): $350.00–450.00 (approx €260.00–370.00)

Weight: coming soon

Dimensions:

• height: 1.0 cm (0.4")
• width: 2.0 cm (0.8")
• length: 22.0 cm (8.5")

Ronson Wedgwood Ulysses Table Lighter, 1955

This Ronson table lighter was made between 1955 and 1957 in England by Ronson and Wedgwood. The Ronson 'Ulysses' was marketed with two different Ronson chrome plated fitments: Cadet and Rondelight. They were mounted in a Wedgwood light green (see photo) or blue Jasper base with overlaid design – heroic battle scene – in white ceramic. The lighter was also available with a matching ashtray. The Ulysses scene was also used in the Ronson butane table lighter eleven years later.

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 felt. Marked on the bottom of the base:

195X (year)
WEDGWOOD
MADE IN 
ENGLAND 

Lighter insert marked:

RONSON
TRADEMARK
MADE IN ENGLAND
BRIT. PAT. 621570

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: common–uncommon

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

Weight: 125 grams (0.27 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 6.5 cm (2.6")
• length: 7.3 cm (2.9")
• width:  5.5 cm (2.2")