Ash Trays
Collecting Antique Ash Trays
Whether it is due to economics, politics, the environment or a greater desire for people to become healthier, the simple truth is that ash trays are no longer being manufactured in the vast amounts they used to be. In fact, as anyone looking for an ashtray is sure to find sooner or later, ashtrays are becoming harder and harder to find. Even the few retail outlets that still sell them will usually only have flimsy tin or cheap acrylic ash trays. Not a big sale item, these days.
As a result, anyone wanting a decent ash tray has to become more creative in their search, and start looking at antique ash trays. They are the new collectible for smokers of cigarettes and cigars, and rank right up there with unique lighters for the discerning consumer.
Types of Ashtrays
Antique ash trays will vary from plain leaded crystal to the elaborate and whimsical. Some were made years ago that included a cover, and were generally made of cloth with a metal insert surrounded by insulating beads. Others created back in the day were so large that they required their own metal stands. Some look like animals and birds, while others were made for advertising purposes.
With some of the ornamental ash trays created over the last few decades, the intent was for them to be ornamental, without their true purpose actually being shown just by looking at them. These were designed to fit snugly inside of beautiful wooden or ceramic sculptures, and the whole piece usually had a sliding cover that would hide the glass or metal tray from view when not in use. The overall effect of these was quite striking in their day.
Ashtray Features
As the public’s tastes and attitudes towards smoking changed, so did the ash trays. Each decade had its own innovations and styles where ash trays were concerned, and they ranged from the aesthetic to the absurd. One from a particular era might include tiny figurines worked in pewter, while another might be made out of specially treated wood and feature a flip function that emptied it into a specially designed drawer beneath it. Or they would reflect the times as they were, mimicking a movement like art deco or the “groovy” psychedelic posters and anti-war slogans of the times.
Geography was also a defining factor in the manufacture of older ash trays. Souvenir ash trays could be found everywhere, usually featuring maps, state flags or birds, and always bore the name of the town or state in which it was purchased. Back then, they were as common a feature in hotels and motels as the Gideon Bible.
Potential Value of Ashtrays
The potential value to collectors of ash trays will depend on the rarity of the object. You are not likely to get rich with the ones you can easily find, but those few gems still out there might bring down some serious cash, if you could find a buyer. Look for niche items, like celebrities or historical events for the best sellers on the collectible market.
