Texas Small Metal Tray Souvenir

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

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 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 Texas tray including: the state capital in Austin, The Alamo (of course), along with a “requisite” cowboy on horseback, the state flower (Bluebonnet), and state bird (Mockingbird). The map outline inset of the tray contains add’l Lone Star standard place names and details: the San Jacinto memorial outside Houston, oil derricks, and a Spanish mission (these preserved buildings and plazas part of San Antonio Missions NHP and predating the U.S. by almost a century). 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: Use Very Good. Though the white gold plating has dimmed a bit with age, this tray is still sound, with no cracks or gaps in the fragile rim. The top-right of the rim is slightly bent, but this is only noticeable upon close inspection. The hand-painted detailing is not as “spot-on” as some other trays we have seen, this especially true of the “Texas” title in the rim; but the colors themselves are still vibrant, a charming piece of souvenir history.] 

(Texas Souvenir patch not included, for size / display purposes only.)

Condition: Used Very Good. 
Local / Regional Areas. 
Dimensions: 5.5” wide x 4” high x 0.25” deep / 4 oz