MOUNTAIN WEST. Home Decor / Kitchen Decor, Decorative Tray, Souvenir, c. 1960s.
A black metal serving or bar tray with decorative tan trim frames a map of Wyoming, central to this souvenir series theme. As part of the design, these trays also included miniature state site illustrations, Wyoming showcasing a bear, elk, and of course: a cowboy on a bucking bronco (very similar in style to the logo for the University of Wyoming). The detailed place name map is ringed of a single colored decorative element: the "Indian Paint Brush." Aside from a few scratches, the tray was treated very well throughout its life. It comes with all six of the original coasters (a rarity anymore), each with its own smaller gold-print map of Wyoming. The tray’s characteristics would indicate it is likely a 1960s release, but could date to the late-1950s … 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 and 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 and even popular department stores all across America.
Condition: Used Very Good. Local / Regional Areas. 11" diameter x 0.5" deep (3" diameter for each coaster) / 12 oz
