Ronson Rondette Tablelighter 1934

Guest post brought to us courtesy of Che:

Paid: Ten bucks
Insurance value: 40-50 bucks

I'm guessing this is a Ronson Rondette Tablelighter as my research yielded no other Ronson lighter with a round body. If it is, then it at one time had two cylinders as seen in the example I found (see last photograph). I like most things art deco, and this is no exception. Love the black lacquer finish and wear on said finish also. You can tell this lighter has been loved over the years.

From Che:

"see, I read your blogs, here's my entry, picked it up in Massachusetts. Art deco lighter, Runs off fluid, zippo style."

"10 bucks, whenever I buy stuff from the old timers, I throw in extra, the price of admission."

Very generous of you Che, and you still made out. Nice work.






Image and text below courtesy of http://vintage-ronson.com/

Wonderful Art Deco table lighter with a central round body set upon two smaller cylindrical feet. Ronson named the Rondette and claimed it has a "Graceful and eye catching Round design". The lighter was offered in chrome plate with either Tortoise or Black enamel.

Update on the Meteor

While Celeste was cheating on the NYT Sunday crossword, she came across this image of Phobos, the doomed (not domed) moon of Mars. I couldn't help but notice it sure looks a lot like that meteor I picked up at an estate sale and posted earlier this year; no? I'm going to go out on a limb here and assert that this photograph is further evidence I own a meteor.


Photo of Phobos courtesy of NASA

One-pound scale, Type 42 made by the Exact Weight Scale Company of Columbus , OH

Dad paid: 20 dollars
Insurance value: 250 bucks

So we've been in the disabled list for a while. Celeste's appendix, Ella being born and requiring time to get her bearings, my back pains, there just hasn't been time or the physical fortitude to keep bringing you the best in estate sale treasure. But we will be back to serve you, gentle reader. We're probably going to be on the DL until late summer.

That said, here's a post courtesy of my Daddy-O.

"It's a one-pound scale, Type 42 made by the Exact Weight Scale Company of Columbus , OH. It has a state certified seal attached that it had been inspected and approved by the sate of California dated 1968. Asking price had been $30 at the yard sale, but I negotiated $20."
Good stuff, Daddy-O. Love the California State seal. The one I found online to gauge my insurance value had neither the seal nor the little placard above it.

That email gave me a great idea. I'm going to run a contest, from now until the first NFL football game of the '08 season. Please submit to me a photograph of something found an estate/yard/tag sale or auction-y event and I'll post the pics and hazard an appraisal. We'll pick our favorites through September and I'll send you a congratulatory email proclaiming you a certified Estate Saler if you win.

Please send all submissions to evan[dot]bray gmail.