Ash tray from RMS Queen Mary; probably red urea formaldehyde and metal; England, 1936

Ashtray made from two separate mouldings which are screwed together: a red urea formaldehyde base and a black metal lining. The tray is circular, with a square projection on one side with inset cigarette rests and, on its end, a moulded inscription: 'R.M.S. "QUEEN MARY"'.

Fred Bulmer, a collector based in Leeds, Yorkshire, offered his collection of ‘plastic antiques’ to the V&A in late 1982. The Museum chose to purchase 59 objects from Bulmer the following year (for acquisition papers see MA/1/B3395). The objects were divided among the Museum’s collections according to object type: Furniture and Woodwork taking 26 objects (W.50 to 75-1983), Metalwork 18 objects (M.49 to 66-1984) and Ceramics and Glass 14 objects (C.41 to 54-1984).

Ash trays such as this one were produced for the maiden voyage in 1936 of the transatlantic ocean liner, RMS Queen Mary. Several different sizes and colours were made, depending which lounge or bar they were situated on board (i.e. the largest size was in the first class lounge). Many of the original ash trays were taken as souvenirs by passengers. Apparently, only ash trays from the early years of the ship's service bear its name and not simply that of its operating company, Cunard.

M.60-1984