EXHIBIT 10(a)

                    THIS  AGREEMENT  made  and  entered  into  this  17th day of
        December 1998, by and between RONSON  CORPORATION,  a corporation of the
        State of New Jersey, having its principal place of business at Corporate
        Park III,  Campus  Drive,  Post  Office Box 6707,  Somerset,  New Jersey
        08875-6707 (hereinafter called the "Corporation"),  and LOUIS V. ARONSON
        II,  residing at P.O.  Box 9,  Oldwick,  New Jersey  08858  (hereinafter
        called "Aronson"):

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                    WHEREAS,   the  Corporation  and  Aronson  entered  into  an
        Agreement  dated  December 21, 1978,  which was extended and modified by
        Agreements dated July 24, 1980, July 1, 1982,  October 11, 1985, July 7,
        1988, May 10, 1989, August 22, 1991, May 22, 1995 and as further amended
        on June 11, 1997,  concerning  Aronson's employment with the Corporation
        in an  executive  capacity  as  General  Manager,  President,  and Chief
        Executive Officer of all domestic and foreign operations; and

                    WHEREAS, the June 11, 1997 Agreement by its terms expires on
        December 31, 2000; and

                    WHEREAS,   the   Corporation   is   cognizant  of  Aronson's
        substantial   contribution  to  the  Corporation's  operations  and  the
        importance  of  assuring  the  continuity  of his  services  in the best
        interests of the Corporation; and

                    WHEREAS,  the Corporation  wishes to amend the June 11, 1997
        Agreement's expiration date from December 31, 2000 to December 31, 2002,
        and said extension is agreeable to Aronson;

                    NOW THEREFORE,

                    For  and  in   consideration  of  the  premises  and  mutual
        covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties agree as follows:
 
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                    (1) The May 10, 1989  Agreement,  and as further  amended on
        August 22,  1991 and as further  amended on May 22,  1995,  and  further
        amended on June 11,  1997,  is hereby  extended  for a period of two (2)
        years as follows:

                        (a) The  Corporation  agrees to and does  hereby  employ
        Aronson to do and perform all duties and  services of a  managerial  and
        executive  character as General  Manager,  President and Chief Executive
        Officer of the  Corporation's  manufacturing,  marketing,  financial and
        other  operations  which  may be  required  of  Aronson  by the Board of
        Directors  of the  Corporation  to December 31,  2002.  The  Corporation
        further agrees that this Agreement will continue after December 31, 2002
        from year to year -- that is to say,  from  January 1, 2003 to  December
        31, 2003 and for each  succeeding  year following  2003,  subject to the
        same terms and conditions  herein  contained unless the employment shall
        be  terminated  by not less than twelve  months  prior notice in writing
        given by either party to the other, or unless the parties agree to a new
        employment   contract  prior  to  the  expiration   date.  The  earliest
        termination date,  however,  shall be December 31, 2002. The Corporation
        agrees that  Aronson's  annual salary shall be payable  semi-monthly  or
        shall be paid as requested by Aronson,  with the understanding  that the
        sum drawn by Aronson shall not on an annual basis exceed the annual base
        salary.

                        (b) In the  event of the death of  Aronson  prior to the
        expiration of this Agreement,  the Corporation shall pay to the widow of
        Aronson (or in the event of her death, to his designated  beneficiary or
        beneficiaries) the equivalent of two full years  compensation  including
        any of the  incentive  compensation,  deferred  or  otherwise,  that was
        payable to  Aronson  during the year  immediately  preceding  his death.
        These sums of money shall be paid in equal quarterly installments over a
        period of three years,  and until the sums of money have been fully paid
        and  satisfied,  interest  on any unpaid  balance  shall be at the prime
        interest rate as determined by Citibank, N.A.

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                    (2) All of the terms,  conditions  and  obligations,  as set
        forth in the December 21, 1978, July 24, 1980, July 1, 1982, October 11,
        1985, July 7, 1988, May 10, 1989, August 22, 1991, May 22, 1995 and June
        11, 1997 Agreements,  shall continue in full force and effect, except to
        the extent specifically modified in this Agreement.

                    IN  WITNESS   WHEREOF,   the  Corporation  has  caused  this
        instrument  to be  executed  by its  duly  authorized  officers  and its
        Corporate seal to be affixed,  and Aronson has hereunto set his hand and
        seal the day and year first above written.



          ATTEST:                                    RONSON CORPORATION


          /s/Erwin M. Ganz              BY: /s/Justin P. Walder
          -----------------------           -----------------------
          Erwin M. Ganz                     Justin P. Walder


          WITNESS:


          /s/Christina M. Palmieri          /s/Louis V. Aronson II
          -----------------------           -----------------------
          Christina M. Palmieri             Louis V. Aronson II


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