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Thumbnail-size images of copyrighted artworks are displayed under fair use, in accordance with guidelines recommended by the Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for the Visual Arts, published by the College Art Association in February 2015.
"Touch Tip Streamline" cigarette lighter
Manufactured by: Ronson Art Metal Works (founded in 1886)
about 1937
Object Place: Newark, New Jersey
Medium/Technique
Chromium-plated metal, white enamel, felt
Dimensions
8.89 x 10.8 x 5.72 cm (3 1/2 x 4 1/4 x 2 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
The John Axelrod Collection
Accession Number2014.1286.6
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsPersonal accessories
DescriptionChrome and white; the lighter features a flat base rounded at one end and square at the other end. The base is carved around with two painted parallel bands. The top is rounded on one side. The other side slopes down in back to meet base. Three parallel bands curve around the sides of the front. On the horizontal plane at the very top are a knob, which is attached to a wand that is pulled out and used to activate the lighter; a flint, and a depressor to activate the lighting mechanism.
Marks
Stamped into top flat surface: "DES. PAT. 104955"
Stamped into hood of rear lighting element: "RONSON / TOUCH-TIP / U.S. PAT. 1986754"
Stamped into base, circular formation: [exterior circle] "RONSON TOUCH-TIP-U.S. PATS 1,986,754- DESIGN PAT 97.247-"; [middle circle]:"BRITISH PAT. APPL'D. FOR- CANADA PAT. 349.108"; [inner circle]: "ART METAL WORKS INC - NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A.-"
Paper label applied to felt on base: "READ CAREFULLY / WHEN NECESSARY TO RE- / PLACE, UNSCREW CLAW-TIP / HOLDING WICK. FROM END OF / TORCH-ROD AND ERPLACE / WITH NEW CLAW-TIP HOLDING FERSH WICK. (ON SALE AT / YOUR DEALER'S) / FOR REFUELING, REPLACING / FLINT, ETC., SEE COMPLETE / INSTRUCTINOS ENCLOSED."
Stamped into hood of rear lighting element: "RONSON / TOUCH-TIP / U.S. PAT. 1986754"
Stamped into base, circular formation: [exterior circle] "RONSON TOUCH-TIP-U.S. PATS 1,986,754- DESIGN PAT 97.247-"; [middle circle]:"BRITISH PAT. APPL'D. FOR- CANADA PAT. 349.108"; [inner circle]: "ART METAL WORKS INC - NEWARK, N.J. U.S.A.-"
Paper label applied to felt on base: "READ CAREFULLY / WHEN NECESSARY TO RE- / PLACE, UNSCREW CLAW-TIP / HOLDING WICK. FROM END OF / TORCH-ROD AND ERPLACE / WITH NEW CLAW-TIP HOLDING FERSH WICK. (ON SALE AT / YOUR DEALER'S) / FOR REFUELING, REPLACING / FLINT, ETC., SEE COMPLETE / INSTRUCTINOS ENCLOSED."
Provenance2003, sold by Carol Carson, Las Vegas, NV on eBay; May 21, 2003, purchased on eBay by John Axelrod, Boston, Massachusetts; 2008, promised gift of John Axelrod to the Museum; 2014, gift of Axelrod to the MFA. (Accession date: October 29, 2014)