MID-ATLANTIC.
Home Decor / Kitchen Decor, Decorative Tray, Souvenir, c. 1950s.
A black metal serving / bar tray with sparkling decorative gold trim frames a map of West Virginia, central to the theme. As part of the design, these trays also included miniature illustrations, West Virginia’s highlighting various outdoor recreation opportunities, the famous Green Brier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, as well as a curious choice: listing the birthplace of Confederate Civil War general, “Stonewall Jackson”; curious in that West Virginia split away from the rest of Virginia during the war, those Virginians “For Union” forming a state of their own in 1863. Given that Harper’s Ferry is not yet named a National Park (which occurred in 1963) and that it sports the signature gold finish of the original run of these trays, we place the date of its release in the late 1950s. As always, the detailed place name map is ringed by a colored decorative element, West Virginia’s displaying a Rhododendron in full spring bloom. In very good condition, there is only the slightest wear on this tray, now 60+ years young … 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 black, white, and even 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 hand-painted series was produced in the 1950s by Nash Co. of New York, with the most notable line sporting a sharp speckled gold finish. However, there were other manufacturers such as Meldrums Manufacturing 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
