Posted 6 years ago
AnythingOb…
(1778 items)
Four stamped steel SALEM MENTHOL FLAVOR (cigarettes), three stamped aluminum STANHOME (cleaning products), and one each stamped (thin) aluminum ARBY'S and HARDEES (fast food restaurants). I've had them all for many years, the SALEM and STANHOME ones having come from some sale/junk shop/etc and the ARBY'S and HARDEES having come from tables at their respective restaurants... ;-) :-)
I'm guessing the SALEM set are the oldest (?) but the STANHOME (probably more intended as coasters than ashtrays?) could easily be of similar age, again guessing 1960's or so for all. The SALEM ones were probably much shinier at first (more like their backsides) but had gotten somewhat rusty and needed a little work with steel wool/wire brush for the pics, and are nicely made of sturdy metal with rolled edges. The STANHOME are of even heavier gauge metal with a simple pattern around their top edges.
ARBY'S and HARDEES are more likely 1980's or so and of thin gauge gold anodized aluminum. I believe they represent the very final generations of ashtrays to ever appear in their respective restaurants (before the anti-smoking/2ndhand smoke/yada yada goofiness of that time took over completely) and they were likely made to be sorta 'throwaway' items.
All are about 3-1/4" across, the STANHOME slightly smaller.
They are kool I have an old Camal tray
THANKS fortapache, Brunswick, and Bobdirt for the <loves>!! As it turns out, shortly after I pictured/showed these, I found a 4th of the STANHOME coasters and a stamped metal BURGER KING ashtray (of similar size but slightly heavier construction) in another box...not updating the pics unless somebody *really* wants me to...??