Kansas Small Metal Tray Souvenir

MID-AMERICA + THE PLAINS. 
Home Decor, Decorative Tray / Ashtray, Souvenir, c. 1950. 

These small metal trinket trays / ashtrays (some incorporating tell-tale cigarette rest notches) were very popular for a run of years following World War II. Sold in souvenir shops across America and Canada when smoking was still very much a mainstream habit, these trays, each with a specific regional connection, were bought as souvenirs of trips taken / sights-seen and certainly given as gifts to family and friends. Many of these trays have come to us with a string loop tied to the top rim indicating they were hung about as decorations, perhaps even on Christmas trees during the season. The trays were mass-produced by way of intricate custom molds, be it a state or a site, with the finished piece lightly hand-painted to pull out details unique to each tray. The rim would contain the title and notable details, this vibrant Kansas tray showing off sunflowers (the state flower), a conestoga wagon (a tip to the state’s pioneer and homesteader history), the state capitol building in Topeka, and the cowboy statue on Boot Hill in Dodge City (the live plaster creation of which almost suffocated the marshall who had volunteered to be cast!). In addition, dozens of the usual place-names are packed in along with mention of the state as the geographic center of the U.S., all this plus several more illustrative details whose original spot paint detailing still leaps of the tray some 70+ years after its release. As with all the small trays in this souvenir series, it bears the mark: “Made in Japan.” This will seem curious considering the violent events of the early-mid 20th century. Here is a bit more background … Following Japan’s surrender in September 1945 ending World War II, Japan was a military occupied country. This continued until the San Francisco Peace Treaty of 1952 returned national sovereignty to the island nation. Once international trade was allowed to resume in 1947, the General Headquarters of the Allied Forces (GHQ a mostly American military government charged with running the conquered nation) mandated that export items carry the label: “Made in Occupied Japan.” The directive was updated in 1949 for use minus the word “Occupied.” As a result these two labels “Made in Occupied Japan” and “Made in Japan” (often just “Japan”) can be dated with specificity to the 15-20 years following the Second World War. They have become markers for valuable vintage memorabilia. [CONDITION: Used Very Good. This tray was very well taken care of, however it was used. There are only a few spots and tiny scratches to report, the tray’s silver plating and rim still sharp and showing none of the usual wearing. Again, the coloring of the whimsical icon details is as fine as we have seen.] 

Condition: Used Very Good. 
Local / Regional Areas. 
Dimensions: 4.75” wide x 3.25” high x 0.25” deep / 4 oz