The Ronson Touch Tip series of lighters are, by far, one of the most popular items sought after by Art Deco collectors today. There is something magical about Touch Tip lighters that brings back memories of old, or the kid in all of us. Patent drawings shed some insight into the genius of Louis V. Aronson and his designers. To be able to remove a metal stick that has a knurled knob on one end, a Wand we will call it which has on it’s other end a small metal rod partly surrounded by a wick, and to press the wick end of the wand down on the actuation button, located at the top of the lighter housing, thus setting into motion a hidden complexity which ultimately shoots a shower of white hot sparks at the lighter fluid soaked wick, which bursts into flames! WOW - I want one too! What a wonder it must have been to people when it was first produced in the mid 1930’s. Ronson produced at least 75 different designs with the Touch Tip mechanism either built into the body of the piece or used a Touch Tip model in combination with a base, such as a Pipe rest, Ashtray or cigarette box. Current information suggests that they were first produced in 1935 and production continued into the 1950's. A prototype Octette has been discovered with some unusual characteristics. Many models were produced prior to WWII, production stopped completely during the war and after the war only a few models were produced. Highly prized for their enameled finishes and rich Art Deco styling, these are very popular lighters.