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1949 Art Deco Ronson "Spartan" Streamline Table Lighter in Chrome Black Enamel

$235
£178.95
€206.05
CA$333.02
A$358.21
CHF 191.44
MX$4,222.23
NOK 2,413.56
SEK 2,206.45
DKK 1,539.57

About the Item

1949 Ronson “Spartan” Streamline Table Lighter in Chrome Black Enamel Designed and made in the USA in 1949, this Ronson “Spartan” table lighter is a sleek slice of postwar style. Its bright chrome body is accented with bold horizontal lines of glossy black enamel, pure Streamline Moderne at its best. The top push button lifts smoothly to reveal the wick and striking wheel beneath. It doesn’t appear to have been used; the chrome is still bright, showing only the faintest surface rub from storage. The original cork base is intact and the underside is marked “Ronson Spartan,” “Ronson Newark, NJ,” along with U.S. and Canadian patent details. Ronson, founded by inventor Louis Vincent Aronson, was one of the most innovative companies of the early 20th century. Aronson’s designs shaped the look and function of the modern lighter, his company held dozens of patents and was responsible for introducing the first truly automatic lighter. By the late 1940s, Ronson had become a household name, producing table and pocket lighters that blended utility with high design. The “Spartan” captures the spirit of Streamline Moderne, a style that emerged in the 1930s and carried through the 1940s. Think of it as the glamorous cousin of Art Deco, smooth curves, horizontal speed lines, polished chrome, and a sense of forward motion inspired by trains, planes, and the optimism of the machine age. Collectors love Ronson lighters for their craftsmanship and iconic designs, and this model is particularly appealing for its bold simplicity and strong Deco lines. Even as a display piece, it adds an instant note of sophistication to a desk, bar, or bookshelf. Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Appears unused, with minor rubbing to chrome consistent with age and storage. The lighter mechanism moves smoothly, though the piece has not been tested and internals have not been inventoried.
  • Creator:
    Louis Vincent Aronson (Designer),Ronson (Maker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 2.32 in (5.9 cm)Width: 1.32 in (3.36 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)
  • Style:
    Streamlined Moderne (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1949
  • Condition:
    Excellent condition with the most minor rub wear to chrome. Please see pictures and video. Sold untested, presumed nonfunctional. Internal components not inspected or inventoried.
  • Seller Location:
    Red Lion, PA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU10258247010982

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