ADVERTISING ASHTRAYS

1970s EA/NL/0150

Back in the day, when the skies were clearer and the grass was greener, most bars, restaurants, offices, and living rooms were clouded with smoke. Cigarettes did not necessarily have an unhealthy image, and smoking inside was very normal. Cafés, companies, and other commercial parties catered to the enormous need to put out cigarettes in their own specific style, by producing DIY ashtrays, as a gift for perhaps employees, clients or just for decorative purposes. In their pride, however, they seemed to have overlooked one specific characteristic: their beloved company, bar or organisation’s portrait is at the bottom of the ashtray and is perpetually harassed by burning cigarette buds – a strange type of tribute.

ADVERTISING ASHTRAYS

1970s EA/NL/0150

Back in the day, when the skies were clearer and the grass was greener, most bars, restaurants, offices, and living rooms were clouded with smoke. Cigarettes did not necessarily have an unhealthy image, and smoking inside was very normal. Cafés, companies, and other commercial parties catered to the enormous need to put out cigarettes in their own specific style, by producing DIY ashtrays, as a gift for perhaps employees, clients or just for decorative purposes. In their pride, however, they seemed to have overlooked one specific characteristic: their beloved company, bar or organisation’s portrait is at the bottom of the ashtray and is perpetually harassed by burning cigarette buds – a strange type of tribute.