-Ronson 1936 Pik a Cig Magic Monkey Striker Touch Tip Lighter & Cigarette Dispenser Box
Art deco magic monkey mechanical dispenser box designed by Ronson.
An extremely rare and very decorative mechanical desk box, created in the city of Newark, New Jersey United States by The Ronson Metal Works Co. This elusive piece was made during the art deco period, back in the 1936. This is the iconic mechanical Pik-a-Cig Monkey box, designed with geometric machine age and art deco patterns. It was crafted with parts made-up in solid patinated bronze for the gorilla and chromed steel for the rest. It is embellished with a square knob to lid on gunmetal base with black brown and green lacquered enamels, creating a great contrast to the brilliant polished steel. The interiors are finished with rounded brushed Florentine patterns.
Mechanism
The slide action mechanism reveals a tray with recess, monkey with one hand raised to pick up the cigarette. It is extremely well made with a solid construction and with very nice care and attention to all details. This surely is a very decorative collectors piece and a great conversation item.
Weight: 2,267 Grams, (5 Pounds).
Measurements: 21.5cm x 13cm x 13cm (8.46 x 5.12 x 5.12 Inches).
Marks: Stamped with the maker's mark and signed, "FASHIONED BY RONSON NEWARK NJ RONSON TOUCH-TIP-US PATS 1.986.754-DESIGN PAT .97.247-BRITISH PAT APPL'D FOR-CANADA PAT 349.148 ART METAL WORKS INC-NEWARK NJ USA"
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.
Literature: Urban K. Cummings, Ronson, the World's Greatest Lighter : Wick Lighters 1913-1966 Bird Dog Books, California. 1992. For this exact model, see figure 125 Illustrated.
Note: This model was produced in two colors, black or brown, with regular lighter or with touch tip lighter.
Note: This piece is empty of any flammable, gas or butane substances and is ready to be ship by any carrier.
Condition: The overall condition of this piece is good. Beside the little normal wear, there is in superb condition with no damage to any part. The cream enamel show the normal crackling. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D041023EENU/.2231
