Posted 5 years ago
Simonc
(162 items)
Here's a real beauty, not for its aesthetic as such, more for the fact it's relating to a powerful and (in)famous Trade Union here in the UK. The full title is 'The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen" (aka, the rail union) who were a pretty militant group back in the 60's and 70's until Margaret Thatcher went on her rampage to bring the unions to heel. They're still active today, calling strikes and work-to-rule actions but certainly not grabbing the headlines as frequently as they used to.
(Just wanted to point out that I'm not anti-union, in fact, I've never been approached to be in a union my entire working life.)
Back to the ashtray, lovely ceramic in mint condition made by Wade UK. Totally unmarked and from my research, the only reason I can think it exists is because the union's formation date of 1880 perhaps chimes with its centenary in 1980, so I'm trying to be logical and assume that's the date it was manufactured. Of course, I could be hopelessly wrong but there's a certain symmetry to 1880/1980, isn't there?
Anyway, a fine ashtray, with great social resonance and a great one to add to the collection.
Hope you like it, folks :)
