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 Today if someone were to ask "Who is your favorite princess?", most people would respond with a Walt Disney animated character. I would say, "The Ronson hard baked enamels of 1929."
 Louis V. Aronson designed the Princess De-Light in 1927, coming at the same time as the standard model, as shown in the design patent.
The princess model was continually improved until its last version in the early 1950’s. Spanning 25 years of manufacture - the Princess comes in a multitude of finishes, coverings, and enamel designs.
 My favorite princess model has always been the two sided hard baked enamel series of 1929. No other model of pocket Ronson lighters were manufactured with this quality baked lacquer inlay process. The lacquer enamel designs were applied to both the front and back making this model quite colorful.
 The designs also utilize more colors than other Ronson enamel models. Equally important to their beauty are the sophisticated modernistic geometric art deco patterns. Only a handful of patterns were created for the series – each coming in an array of color combinations.
 The 1929 Princess version was redesigned from the original 1927 De-Light, incorporating a streamline modern snuffer and thumb press. The underside bears the 1926 Banjo automatic mechanism utility patent along with a 1917 rare earth metal alloy (cerium flint) patent. All known examples of this Princess model are found with chrome plated bodies.
 Ronson pocket atomizer perfume sprays also were made with the same process and designs with some retailing as sets. The worldwide economic depression in 1930 likely created the business environment that made it necessary for Ronson Art Metal Works to discontinue this inlay enamel application and change to a less expensive process
 If you appreciate art deco enamel lighters or pocket Ronsons, make sure to add a two side inlay baked Princess to your collection.
Photos by Larry Tolkin
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