Ronson Premier Varaflame Lighter

During the 1950's, as butane lighters gained popularity, Ronson launched its own butane-run lighter, the Premier Varaflame (short for variable flame), in 1957. A breakthrough in gas-lighter development, this lighter had it all, from a beautiful design by Seymour Rappaport, to a state-of-the-art burner-valve mechanism conceived by Conrad Zellweger. The Premier Varaflame was Ronson’s largest product launch and was an immediate success. In 1958 many previous models were re-engineered and introduced into the Ronson Varaflame collection. This example, approximately 6.5 x 3.8 cm, comes complete with the original box, case, and warranty, and has beautiful blue enamel running along both sides of the body. 

The Ronson lighter company was started as The Art Metal Works in 1886 by Louis V. Aronson, and began by designing various decorative home related objects, such as figurines, bookends, and table lamps. By 1910 Aronson had created and patented his first lighter, and in 1926 released an "automatic operation" lighter, which became a great success and led to further patents. In the 1940’s, lighters had become so popular that Ronson discontinued all other products to concentrate on their development, and by 1954 “Art Metal Works” was completely dropped from the company name. At almost sixty years old, this lighter still shines when brought into the light.

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.

Evans Saxony Hotel Lighter

This gold Evans lighter is emblazoned with the name of The Saxony Hotel, Miami Beach, and comes complete with its original box. Though the box shows signs of age, the interior and, best of all, the lighter, are in excellent condition. The lighter stands 6.2 cm tall, by 3.5 cm wide. Although an exact date of manufacture can still not be determined, this piece is an estimated 60 years old, and in fabulous shape considering its age.

The Saxony Hotel, at 3201 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, was completed in 1948, and was one of the first luxury resorts on Miami Beach. The Saxony was famous for its luxurious rooms, complementary meals, restaurants and exceptional views of South Beach, and was the first air-conditioned hotel on Miami Beach. It is easy to see how and elegant lighter like this Evans would be affiliated with a resort the caliber of Saxony.

Pierre Cardin Lighter

This black and gold Pierre Cardin lighter is complete with plastic case and original documentation. It stands 8.0 cm tall, 2.8 cm wide, and is an ultra slim 0.7 cm thick. Although an exact date of manufacture can still not be obtained, this piece is an estimated 35 years old, and in immaculate condition.

Pierre Cardin, a designer known for his avant-garde style and his Space Age designs, prefered geometric shapes and motifs, often ignoring the female form. Best known for his clothes, he branched out into various feilds including working with American Motors Corporation on automotive interiors, and, as this acquisition demonstrates, lighters. With a total cost of $35.30 CAD, owning a peice of design history has never been more afforadable.