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AI Appraisal
Description
Earlier Model Ronson De-Light Mastercase
One of Ronson's earliest and less common case lighters, this chromium plated De-Light Mastercase from the 1930s is finished with a rich, chocolate brown leopard print and black enamal finish. The Mastercase holds 14 non-filter cigarettes (or 72s) with a built-in cigarette lighter in the top
Engraved inside:
Art Metal Works Inc
Newwark N.J U.S.A
U.S Pat. Ref. # 19203
Genuine Chromium Plate
RONSON DE-LIGHT MASTERCASE
Need Info and Whats its worth.. was my grampas back in the day and he passed away.. looking for information on this beautiful piece
Category
Other
Medium
Chromium Plate
Distinguishing marks
Ronson
Condition
Good
Date Period
1930's
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Re: Ronson De-Light Mastercase Earlier Model
Also have original Fleece Pouch fro it with ronson on it!
Re: Ronson De-Light Mastercase Earlier Model
All prices referrenced below are in American currency (USD)...
From what I can tell from the pictures this is indeed the early model, which was introduced sometime during the year 1933. Later iterations of the Mastercase series featured smaller "rabbit ears" on the top where the flame comes out. The Mastercase design continued for 20 years, and it was marketed towards distinguished gentleman. In Ronson ads the company states that the case can hold 14 regular cigarettes. The De-Light portion of the name refers to the filament used to spark the flame (vs. a slightly heavier filament). If I am not mistaken it is a petrol lighter instead of a butane lighter, since Ronson did not introduce a refillable gas lighter until 1957.
If you can find the box as well you may be able to sell it for up to $160 in that particular condition. Without the box but with pouch the high estimate to the right collector should be about $125. Note that you may not want to sell on eBay, as they tend to sell to many non-collectors for about $25....
Rough to a non-collector can sell as low as $10, while a collector may pay around $30-40 depending on whether they like this color style or not. For prestine condition you can sell to a collector for as high as $250 with the box included. Yours seems to be around middle of the road condition, leaning towards better.