Washington, D.C. Small Metal Ashtray Souvenir

MID-ATLANTIC. 
Home Decor, Decorative Ashtray, Souvenir, c. 1950s. 

These small metal ashtrays (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 of site-specific ashtrays contained a title and often a few small site-related scenes, D.C.’s highlighting: the Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol, and Jefferson Memorial. These site-specific trays also featured a main scene, this one framing the Iwo Jima Memorial (labeled “Statue” on the tray) in Arlington Cemetery. Given that this was dedicated in November 1954 by, appropriately, President Eisenhower, this scene was almost new to D.C. when this tray was produced. As with all the small trays in this souvenir series, it bears the mark: “Japan.” This will seem curious considering the violent events of the early-mid 20th century, and especially so given the contents of this tray. 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 years following the Second World War. They have become markers for valuable vintage memorabilia. [This tray is in great condition, its gold plating still vibrant. A maker’s mark “Silverne” is embossed on the back, though this is almost certainly a rare typo in referring to the Silberne line of souvenir plates and trays that was popular in the 1950s and 1960s.] 

Condition: Used Very Good. 
Local / Regional Attractions. 
Dimensions: 4.75” wide x 3.75” high x 0.25” deep