Texas Souvenir Metal Serving Tray

THE SOUTH. 
Home Decor / Kitchen Decor, Decorative Tray, Souvenir, c. 1960s. 

A black metal serving / bar tray with decorative bright tan trim frames a map of Texas, central to the theme. As part of the design, these trays also included miniature site illustrations, Texas showcasing the sheer size and diversity of the state: from Spanish missions in the western panhandle to, of course, the Alamo, the San Jacinto monument near Houston to a bullfight in Loredo. The detailed place name map is as full as you’ll see on these trays, from Dumas in the northern panhandle to Denton near Dallas to Del Rio on the Mexican border, it all ringed by a colored decorative element for which the state is famous: the Bluebonnet flower. In very good condition, the front in “Like New” shape, this tray came to us via a lot that was likely purchased in the 1960s but for whatever reason never found its way to the souvenir shop shelves; even arriving with the original circular lace paper protecting the tray’s interior… The combination of detailed state map and regional decoration was the pattern for 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 mostly black, but also white and the occasional cool green. The many series of these trays, with some also including low-depth snack bowls, is identifiable for the wave-like swirl detail decorating the rim. The original series was produced by Nash Co. of New York and was notable for its speckled gold finish. However, there were other manufacturers such as Meldrums of St. Paul, Minnesota. All stuck close to the same design. These trays and bowls were found in popular roadside restaurant gift shops from the late 1950s into the 1970s, places such as Stuckey's (southern U.S., Midwest / Plains states), Howard Johnsons (starting in the Northeast, but having spread coast to coast by the 1960s), as well as in stand-alone souvenir shops, small local general stores, and even popular department stores all across America. 

Condition: Used Very Good. 
Local / Regional Areas. 
Dimensions: 11" diameter x 0.5" deep / 8 oz