RONSON 1926 Art Deco Rare Banjo Automatic Lighter In Silver Plate Near Mint
Banjo petrol lighter designed by Louis V, Aronson for Ronson.
This is an exceptionally rare Banjo automatic petrol pocket lighter designed by Louis V. Aronson for the Ronson Lighter Company and introduced in 1926 during the height of the Art Deco period. Considered an American design icon, the Banjo is celebrated for its innovative automatic one-handed operation and its timeless streamlined form.
This example is preserved in near mint-plus condition, showing virtually no evidence of wear or use. It is expertly constructed with a steel and brass body overlaid in .925/.999 sterling silver, and finely decorated on both sides with elegant engine-turned linear guilloché patterns. The crisp engraving, exceptional preservation, and original finish make this an outstanding collector's example.
A landmark in the history of twentieth-century industrial design, the Ronson Banjo lighter is prized for its ingenious engineering, Art Deco styling, and enduring influence on modern lighter design. Its remarkable state of preservation and exceptional eye appeal make it a highly desirable piece for collectors of vintage lighters, Art Deco objects, and American design.
Country: Newark, United States.
Designer: Louis Vincent Aronson.
Company: Ronson Art Metal Co.
Model: Banjo pocket petrol lighter.
Year: Art-Deco, 1926.
Material: Sterling silver plate over brass.
Weight: 56.95 Grams, (36.51 Dwt).
Measurements: 62 mm by 58 mm by 13 mm (2.44 x 2.28 x 0.51 Inches).
Hallmarks Stamped with the maker's mark, the patent and signed, "RONSON LIGHTER THE ART METAL WORKS NEWARK N.Y". Text engraved on the snuffer, "RONSON LIGHTER P.T.D. DEC 31 1918 OTHERS PAT PDG.".
The Ronson Lighter Company
The company started as The Art Metal Works in 1897 and was incorporated on July 20, 1898, by Max Hecht, Louis Vincent Aronson and Leopold Herzig, in Newark, New Jersey. Louis V. Aronson was a huge creative driving force for the company; and, with a few business adjustments, including the addition of Alexander Harris (1910–11) as Business Manager, the company soon became World Famous. In the 1910s The Art Metal Works were producing very good quality Hood Ornaments and gained a reputation as a dependable supplier of same. All accounts state that Louis Aronson was a gifted man, who at 16 years old set up a money-making shop in his parent's home - before receiving a U.S. patent for a commercially valuable metal-plating process he developed when he was 24 years old, and he sold half the rights while retaining the Right to Use. "His experiments, which he has been conducting since his early youth, resulted in 1893 in the discovery of a process for electrically producing tinplate. Much money was expended upon improving the process... and has been of great practical value to the whole industry. Retaining its rights, he sold half the patent rights, and later used part of the proceeds to open the Art Metal Works in Newark, N.J. Soon the company was producing a variety of high-quality Lamps, Book ends, Art Statues and other decorative items, prized today for their detail in the collector marketplace.
Patent: Utility Patent US June 12, 1928, number 1,673,727. Original and first filed on October 16, 1926
Literature: Urban K. Cummings, Ronson, the World's Greatest Lighter: Wick Lighters 1913-1966 Bird Dog Books, California. 1992. Figure-13 Page 65. For this model illustrated.
Note: Six different engine turned patterns variants has been produced for this model.
Note: This Ronson-Banjo is empty of any flammable, gas or butane substances and is ready to be ship by any carrier. This lighter just need a new flint and proper lighter fluid. Was tested and is in working condition.
Condition: The overall condition of this Ronson-Banjo lighter is exceptional, in near mint condition with no damage at any parts. This piece was carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and the authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D071827RENK/1.665
