ATLANTIC SOUTH.
Home Decor / Kitchen Decor, Decorative Tray, Souvenir, c. 1970s.
A metal tray with gold-banded rim frames a map of Florida and a Florida-like background (beachside surrounded by a palm forest) hosting Disney favorites, both central to the theme. As part of the design, these trays also included miniature illustrations, this Disney-branded tray showcasing, of course, Walt Disney World front-and center, with many other Florida tourist-centric illustrations: Weeki Wachee Springs, Marineland (a one-time competitor of SeaWorld), racing at Daytona, deep sea fishing, golfing—with a flamingo, alligator, and parrot to boot. The detailed map (printed instead of the usual hand-painted style) leads to the mentioned group of Disney favorites: Daffy Duck, Pooh Bear digging in the sand, Goofy, King Louis of Jungle Book, and Mickey. In decent condition for a 1970s tray, it was not particularly well stored, slightly warped with a few rust spots. Nonetheless, it was made expressly for, and would be perfect for, the Disney fan in your life … The combination of detailed state map and regional decoration was the pattern for the original run of this popular home decor / barware souvenir. Produced for tourist shop shelves, the series covered all 50 states (if often combining a few of the smaller ones) and came in black, white, and even the occasional cool green. The original hand-painted series was produced in the 1950s by Nash Co. of New York, with the most notable line sporting a sharp speckled gold finish. However, there were other manufacturers such as Meldrums Manufacturing of St. Paul, Minnesota. Though these trays were to be found in popular roadside restaurant gift shops, stand-alone souvenir shops, popular department stores, and even small local non-franchise general stores across America from the late 1950s into the 1970s, this tray was specifically manufactured for Walt Disney World property gift shop shelves; rare for the series.
Condition: Used Very Good.
Local / Regional Areas.
Dimensions: 11" diameter x 0.5" deep / 8 oz
