Louisiana Small Metal Tray / Ashtray Souvenir

THE SOUTH. 
Home Decor, Decorative Tray / Ashtray, Souvenir, c. 1950s. 

These small metal trinket trays / ashtrays (which incorporated 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 memorabilia of trips taken / sights-seen and certainly given as gifts to family and friends. 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 Louisiana tray true to form in highlighting an old-time paddlewheel steamboat and Mardi Gras queen. The limited space of the tray’s main surface has whole lists of Louisiana place names, more so documented as being in the state and not accurate to location. This was a common trait with these small surface trays, the point seeming to be more about packing in as many highlights as possible. The place names are surrounded by mini-illustrations of a pelican, cotton field and sugarcane, and the still impressive 34-story Art Deco state capital building, which opened in 1932 and continues to serve as the state’s seat of government. 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. [Used Very Good: This tray is in remarkable shape given that it is around 70 years old. The often fragile rim is fully intact with only slight age-related wear on the main surface. The back shows the petrified residue of what was likely a thick tape used to hang the tray, or display it ornament style from a thread.] 

* (Jax beer can not included, for size comparison only) 

Condition: Used Very Good. 
Local / Regional Areas. 
Dimensions: 3.5” wide x 4” high x 0.25” deep / 4 oz