Ronson's Art Metal Works (Schiffer Book for Collectors.)

Rating:
Summary: A Worthwhile Collector's Book
Review: This is one of a series of books by the same author covering "unique" manufactured items including cigarette lighters, ballpoint and fountain pens, and flashlights among others. It is also a collector's price guide. One should read the Introduction and History sections carefully because the rest of the book consists primarily of pictures and captions.
My interest was piqued when the dust jacket blurb listed hood ornaments. L.V. Aronson started doing business as The Art Metal Works in the 1880's. They are said to have made the first hood ornaments manufactured for sale in the U.S. in about 1909. Since I am helping the San Diego (CA) Automotive Museum catalog its hood ornament collection, and we have one of these, I bought the book.
Unfortunately only one hood ornament (of several they made) is covered. It is a 1915 Uncle Sam with "America First" emblazoned on it. While I think the author has confused "patriotism" with "isolationism" in his discussion of it, nonetheless it is an interesting piece. But even more interesting is the picture on page 100 of a 1909 Smiling Baby Buddha figurine which became the first U.S. hood ornament, "GOBBO". My source informs me they came in three sizes - large (trucks), medium (cars) and small (bicycles). He owns a complete set. The author informs us that it wasn't unusual for companies to "borrow" figures they (or others) made for one use and change it to another.
About 1923, GOBBO's head became an incense burner (page 110) with "I am GOBBO - God of Good Luck" inscribed on the side with L.V. Aronson's mark on the bottom. This same inscription appears on the hood ornaments.
When WWII ended, the various items the company was producing such as incesne burners, bookends, aquarium stands, figurines, etc., were discontinued and the company focused on making cigarette lighters and associated items which were the most profitable,

Rating:
Summary: A Worthwhile Collector's Book
Review: This is one of a series of books by the same author covering "unique" manufactured items including cigarette lighters, ballpoint and fountain pens, and flashlights among others. It is also a collector's price guide. One should read the Introduction and History sections carefully because the rest of the book consists primarily of pictures and captions.
My interest was piqued when the dust jacket blurb listed hood ornaments. L.V. Aronson started doing business as The Art Metal Works in the 1880's. They are said to have made the first hood ornaments manufactured for sale in the U.S. in about 1909. Since I am helping the San Diego (CA) Automotive Museum catalog its hood ornament collection, and we have one of these, I bought the book.
Unfortunately only one hood ornament (of several they made) is covered. It is a 1915 Uncle Sam with "America First" emblazoned on it. While I think the author has confused "patriotism" with "isolationism" in his discussion of it, nonetheless it is an interesting piece. But even more interesting is the picture on page 100 of a 1909 Smiling Baby Buddha figurine which became the first U.S. hood ornament, "GOBBO". My source informs me they came in three sizes - large (trucks), medium (cars) and small (bicycles). He owns a complete set. The author informs us that it wasn't unusual for companies to "borrow" figures they (or others) made for one use and change it to another.
About 1923, GOBBO's head became an incense burner (page 110) with "I am GOBBO - God of Good Luck" inscribed on the side with L.V. Aronson's mark on the bottom. This same inscription appears on the hood ornaments.
When WWII ended, the various items the company was producing such as incesne burners, bookends, aquarium stands, figurines, etc., were discontinued and the company focused on making cigarette lighters and associated items which were the most profitable,