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Ronson Petrol Penciliter
Louis V Aronson - Art Metal Works inc, Newark, NJ, USA
First generation Ronson Penciliter by Art Metal Works, 1930s, Art Deco petrol lighter and propelling pencil, US, UK and Canadian patents

The Penciliter put a lighter and a propelling pencil in a single pocket piece. The clip works the lighter, and the cone twists to advance the lead. It was made in Newark, New Jersey by Art Metal Works, the firm behind the Ronson name, to patents taken out by its founder Louis V. Aronson.

This is a first generation example, produced from around 1934 until the outbreak of the war, when Ronson production turned to war work. The body carries the fine geometric engine turning of the Art Deco period, and the patent block near the top gives the United States, United Kingdom and Canadian numbers, which is the marking found on the early version rather than on the post-war one.

The patent dates of 1925 and 1926 refer to Aronson’s lighter mechanism, which Art Metal Works continued to mark for years after the grant. They establish the design and its protection rather than the year this example left the factory.

Condition is very good. The lighter sparks and has a wick though I have not fired it. The pencil advances cleanly or needs attention. The plating shows light wear consistent with pocket use, with brassing at the high points / clip. The patent imprint is clear and reproduced below.

It is sold unfuelled, since lighters must be posted empty. A fresh flint, a wick if needed and standard lighter fuel will return it to use.

Specification

Maker: Art Metal Works, Newark, New Jersey, makers of Ronson
Model: Penciliter, first generation
Period: circa 1934 to 1940
Patents: United States, United Kingdom and Canada, dated 1925 and 1926, marked at the top of the case
Design: Louis V. Aronson
Finish: plating, geometric engine turned body
Lead: usually 1.1mm rather than the later 0.9mm
Length: 15cm
Lighter: petrol, clip-operated
DES.Pat.92.996.
Canada Pat 288,148 -BR.pat.291,695- US pat RE.No19.023