Ronson Whirlwind Lighter

This silver Ronson Whirlwind lighter comes complete with its original box, documentation, and assorted accessories. It stands 5.3 cm tall, and is 4.3 cm wide. Although an exact date of manufacture cannot be determined this piece is an estimated 55-60 years old, and, despite minor signs of use, still in very good condition. The Whirlwind model was added to the Ronson line in 1941. These lighters have wind shields which can be pulled up from the body of the lighters for outdoor use. It is likely this was the model writer Ian Fleming had in mind when, in the novel Casino Royale, James Bond "snapped his oxidized Ronson to see if it needed fuel."

The Ronson lighter company started as The Art Metal Works in 1886 by Louis V. Aronson, a gifted man who at 16 years old received a U.S. patent for a commercially valuable metal plating process he developed. In 1926 he released an "automatic operation" lighter, which offered both ignition and extinguishment in a single push. It was a great success, demand shortly exceeding supply, spurring Aronson to patent it and design other products around the invention, which were marketed under the Ronson brand name. This example of the Ronson Whirlwind was acquired recently for an extremely reasonable $23.56 CAN.

Graphitti Designs Superman Statue

Produced in 1993 by Graffiti Designs, this Superman statue was based on a Sculpt by Randy Bowen, who worked from a sketch by noted Superman artist Dan Jurgens. Made of cold cast porcelain and individually hand painted, this statuette stands approximately 26.5 cm tall. Limited to a run of 6,100 peices, each is individually numbered. This particular statuette is #4,254. The factory original box was not intended for retail display, or made of durable design, and was used as the shipping box in many cases. Consequently, most, including this box, have dings, scuffs, tape marks, and general shelf wear.

Graphitti Designs, founded in 1982, is one of the leading producers of pop culture related merchandise, focusing on everything from apparel to deluxe limited edition hardcovers. As an added claim to pop culture fame for the company, this Superman statue was also seen on the hit show Seinfeld, where it proudly resided for many episodes on Jerry Seinfeld's bookshelf! Although the list price on these scarce statuettes was originally $215.00 CDN, this one was scooped up a number of years ago for a bargain $132 CDN!

Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators in The Mystery of the Headless Horse

Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators in The Mystery of the Headless Horse was book number 26 in the American juvenile detective book series. This hardcover edition is a first printing, published by Random House in 1977, and was written by William Arden. The book itself is free of major flaws, with only limited wear on the top and bottom edges of the spine taking away from an overall near-mint edition. The cover still has the original gloss, and the page edges are still sharp. The Bibliophilia department is proud to hold this exquisite edition in the collection. 

 

Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators was created by Robert Arthur, Jr., who had been an editor for several Hitchcock book collections. He believed using a famous figure such as movie director Hitchcock would attract attention. The original series ran from 1964 to 1987 and comprised 43 books. Books number 1 to 9 and 11 were written by the creator, who also sketched out ideas for a few of the other stories. But the standard premise that the boys encountered baffling, sometimes misleading clues and danger before finally solving the mystery was a constant throughout the series. However strange, mystical, or even supernatural a particular phenomenon may appear at first, it is capable of being traced to human agency with the determined application of reason and logic.

 

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Promotional Theater Cup

 

On the original theatrical release of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm in 1993, this theater cup was included as part of a promotional “Combo” that could be purchased from the theater concession. The cup itself has a beautiful full color image depicting Batman and his adversary, with the name of the theatre chain on the reverse side. The cup lid is a jet black, 3D plastic sculpt of the Batman's cowl, which has a hole in the top to allow for a straw. The total height of the cup and lid is 26.5cm.

 

 

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a 1993 American animated superhero mystery film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman, and is a spin-off of the Emmy Award-winning TV series Batman: The Animated Series. Although critically acclaimed (Empire cited it as the best animated film of 1993), the film only went on to gross slightly more than $5.6 million in total domestic box office intake. The filmmakers blamed Warner Bros. for an unsuccessful marketing campaign. Needless to say, with a poor initial box-office run, these promotional cups are exceedingly scarce.

Conversion of assets III

The bibliophilia department made a recent conversion of assets utilizing a first printing of Kathe Koja's 1991 debut novel 'The Cipher'. Thought-provoking as it is horrifying, Nicholas and his friend Nakota discover a black "Funhole" in the floor of an abandoned storage room in his apartment building. The hole becomes both a physical and psychic phenomenon that forces them to face their miserable, aimless lives. Winner of the Bram Stoker Award and the Locus Award, and somewhat difficult to find, this edition was sold for $43.69 CAD.

The income was used to acquire a first printing of a Signet Books paperback edition of Ian Fleming's 'For Your Eyes Only'. Published in June, 1961, this collection of James Bond short stories was the only edition published with this cover. A change of format for Fleming, who had previously written James Bond stories only as full-length novels, the collection contains "From a View to a Kill", "For Your Eyes Only", "Quantum of Solace", "Risico" and "The Hildebrand Rarity". Four of the stories were adaptations of plots for a television series that was never filmed while the fifth Fleming had written previously but not published. Total cost of the purchase was $28.67 CAD, the profit being held for the bibliophilia department.

Estée Lauder America the Beautiful Compact

The Estée Lauder America the Beautiful Compact has a unique American flag crystal design. Approximately 5.7 cm in diameter, this stunning compact was issued in 1994, and features enamaled red stripes with white stripes of hand set clear swarovski crystals. The top of the compact has a swirl of blue enamel with nine stars each set with a swarovski crystal center. Acquired a number of years ago, it comes complete with a blue satin pouch, and is still filled with Estee Lauder lucidity pressed powder and puff.

Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. is a manufacturer and marketer of prestige skincare, makeup, fragrance and hair care products with its headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, New York. The company began in 1946 when Joseph Lauder and his wife Estée began producing cosmetics in New York City. Two years later they established their first department store account with Saks Fifth Avenue. The company has produced a series of patriotic compacts, and this is one of the most beautiful examples to date.

Conversion of assets II

Who says lightning dosen't strike twice? Another "conversion of assets" was recently made: a set of ‘Night Nurse’ was sold for a total of $123 CAD.'Night Nurse' was published by Marvel Comics Group and lasted only four issues, cover-dated November 1972 to May 1973. The medical drama series focused on the adventures of three female roommates who worked the night shift at a fictional hospital in New York City.

The cash was used to purchase a CGC graded 9.0 (VF/NM) copy of ‘Amazing Spider-Man #96'. Published by Marvel Comics Group dated May 1971, this issue features an appearance by the Green Goblin, and is notable for being the first main stream American comic book to be published without the seal of the Comics Code Authority, a de facto censor for the U.S. comic book industry.