For decades, tobacco companies worldwide have tirelessly influenced different sectors of society and culture to embrace cigarettes. From a military point of view, allowances of tobacco had been a part of naval life for centuries, but it wasn't until WWI that tobacco companies began to target military personnel with the eventual inclusion of cigarettes into troops’ rations. It was asserted that regular use of tobacco while under duress would not only calm the soldiers but allow them to withstand greater hardship. General Pershing was reported as saying; "You ask me what we need to win this war. I answer tobacco as much as bullets. Tobacco is as indispensable as the daily ration; we must have thousands of tons without delay." During WWII, tobacco companies continued to foster the culture of wartime smoking by sending free cigarettes to troops and supporting the inclusion of cigarettes into rations as they "lightened the inevitable hardships of war" and are the "last and only solace of the wounded".
Anti-smoking movements grew in many nations from the mid 1800s, and surprisingly perhaps, the most powerful anti-smoking movement in the world existed in Nazi Germany during the 1930s / early 40s. Their research on smoking and its effects on health was the most important of its type at the time, and of course the risks to women and their ability to bear children were one of the significant factors in their studies. Hitler, himself an ex-smoker, viewed smoking with distaste and strongly disapproved of smoking in military circles.
Smoking related items therefore can easily become stigmatised as a reminder of what is often regarded as an undesirable habit. Nonetheless, ashtrays and cigarette lighters etc have evolved into an art form which is historically significant, particularly when linked to places / events during war years, and as such are an important reminder of life in these times.
To reserve an item email: alligatormilitaria@gmail.com or text: +44 (0)7970 273034
Arts and Crafts style copper ashtray
Hand beaten ashtray with interesting Medieval spear tip motif. No maker's mark or signature. Nevertheless the unusual design with relaxed form and bowed edges is quite charming. The underside is quite heavily toned, the upper surface is lightly toned no doubt having been regularly cleaned. Small area of dark staining on rim as can be seen, plus minor spotting.
L:15 X W:10 x D:1cm
£12.00 + £2.65 P&P UK
Men of the 4th Infantry Division move off Utah Beachhead on D-Day.
US 4th Infantry Division Liberation of Paris souvenir ashtray - August 1944
Art Deco ashtray comprising a cast metal Eiffel Tower mounted on a decorative bakelite plinth. Moulded lettering on the underside: MADE IN FRANCE 2940 and a Made in France, Paris Orfear logo. 4TH INF AUG 1941 has been scratched into the surface. The gilding on the tower has largely worn away and there are a few minor blemishes in the ash well, otherwise condition is very good with no cracks or chips. A very interesting item.
H:8 x W:10 x D:5.8cm £35.00 + £4.20 P&P UK
The 4th Infantry Division landed at Utah Beach, on D-Day, 6th June 1944. Relieving the isolated 82nd Airborne Division at Sainte-Mère-Église, the 4th ID cleared the Cotentin peninsula and took part in the capture of Cherbourg on 25th June. Subsequently involved in fighting near Périers, the division broke through the left flank of the German 7th Army, helping to stem the German drive toward Avranches. By the end of August the 4th ID had moved to Paris and together with French forces took part in the liberation of the capital.
Liberation of Italy cast aluminium ashtray - Ancona 1944 - 1945
Ashtray with cigarette rests (creating a lifebelt effect) together with crossed anchors, supported by three short legs. Probably sandcast, there is a slight loss of material on the left bottom edge, no doubt occurring during manufacture. Some staining from use, but otherwise nice condition.
The Port of Ancona, on the Adriatic coast of Italy, became pivotal in the Allied plan to gain possession of a seaport close to the Front Line to support the advance into Northern Italy. The Polish 2nd Corps together with the 7th Queen's Own Hussars were tasked with capturing the city, which they accomplished between 16th June - 18th July 1944. Italy formerly surrendered in May 1945.
Lieutenant General Władysław Anders, Commander of the Polish 2nd Corps tasked with capture of Ancona.
NB. The Polish 2nd Corps became a major tactical and operational unit of the Polish Armed Forces in the West. Anders commanded the Corps throughout the Italian Campaign, capturing both Monte Cassino and Ancona in 1944. Afterward his Corps took part in the breaking of the Gothic Line and the final spring offensive.
For their action in the battle while seconded to the Polish corps, the British 7th Queen's Own Hussars received the battle honour "Ancona".
L:15.5 x W:12 x H:3cm £40.00 + £4.20 P&P UK
Colin Babb / Fort Rowner-Gosport / CC BY-SA 2.0
Royal Artillery ashtray - Fort Rowner No. 4 Room
This interesting and no doubt unique brass ashtray is inscribed Fort Rowner No. 4 Room and is decorated with 2 x General Service buttons, 2 x Royal Artillery buttons, a shoulder title, and match striker grooves engraved along two sides. The rimless cartridge is believed to be the .300 (.30-06) round used in the M1917 Enfield rifle. The ashtray has not been polished for some time and shows some staining and discolouration commensurate with age and use.
Built to protect Portsmouth, Fort Rowner, Gosport, is one of the Palmerston Forts, a series of defences built around the coasts of the UK and Ireland during the Victorian period, prompted by concerns about the strength of the French Navy. However, when completed, they soon became known as Palmerston's Follies, principally because the threat from France no longer existed, and the armaments installed had become obsolete. For many years, the fort was manned by the Royal Garrison Artillery and remains today within the HMS Sultan Naval Base.
H:8 x W:11.2 x D:11.2cm £28.00 + £4.20 P&P UK
Interwar Royal Artillery Golfing Society Trophy
Heavy gauge brass ashtray with inset bronze medallion and engraved as follows:
Bogey Foursomes Berkshire G.C. APRIL 17 1936 Won by Capt. W.B. Wright Capt. G.C. Gray
Some very minor edge knocks and staining but overall good condition.
11.2 x 11.2 x D:1cm
£24.00 + £4.20 P&P UK
Unusual WWI era brass 'trench art' cigarette lighter - Royal Navy
A little unusual in having a Royal Navy reeded King's crown button incorporated into the pull-off cap. Similar lighters have been encountered but more usually with an Army connection. This example is nicely made with the ribbing on the two sections angled in the direction of pull to improve grip, which also makes it very tactile. By holding the striker wheel, the petrol reservoir can be lifted out - this contains cotton wadding, the flint tube, internal spring and screw.
Condition overall is very good with some very minor stains and usual light surface scratches but no dents or knocks. The ribbing on the lower section has partially worn smooth, quite possibly due to handling, the ribbing on the top section is more pronounced. The raised edges on the button have lost definition. The striker wheel works perfectly, but the flint has nearly worn away although it still provides a healthy spark.
L:5 x Dia:1.6cm £32.00 + £4.20 P&P UK
Commemorative bronze ashtray - R.E.M.E. BAOR 1948
Heavy cast bronze ashtray (1.1kg) incorporating the R.E.M.E. badge and wording: Rhine Army Christmas 1948. Produced in one of the R.E.M.E. workshops during the first major international crisis of the Cold War, when in June 1948, the Soviet Union blockaded access to the sectors of Berlin under Western control, resulting in the organisation of the Berlin Airlift, lasting until September 1949. It is safe to assume only a small number of these ashtrays were made and this is both a scarce and poignant reminder of how the prospect of peace after WWII dissolved into a new period of anxiety.
Stained, particularly in the 'ash well', but commensurate with use and age. Overall good condition.
L:13.4 x W:10.3 x D:2.5cm £45.00 + £4.20 P&P UK
Anti-German propaganda WWI bullet ashtray - the martyrdom of Reims Cathedral
On 18th / 19th September 1914, a prolonged bombardment of Reims by German artillery set alight the wooden timbers under the lead-covered roof of the Cathedral, completely destroying it. Windows were blown out, and sculptures and parts of the walls were badly damaged. The bells melted, as did the roof lead which poured out the mouths of the gargoyles,
The central theme of the ashtray is a depiction of Reims Cathedral in flames. The lettering reads: REIMS MARTYRE - Reims put to death in martyrdom. Located in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, Reims played a prominent role as the city where French kings were traditionally crowned. When Reims was badly damaged by German artillery - and the subsequent fire severely damaged the cathedral - the ruins became one of France’s central images of anti-German propaganda, alongside the ruins of the Cloth Hall at Ypres and the University Library in Louvain. They were presented as evidence that German aggression targeted cultural landmarks of European civilisation. This interesting memento is in overall good condition but one corner bent over slightly. Small areas of staining on the underside.
W:10 x 10 x H:1.5cm £24.00 + £4.20 P&P UK
WWI 'Trench Art' ashtray & matchbox holder
18-pndrs in action near Bellewaarde Lake, 3rd Ypres - 1917.
A cut down 18-pounder shell case with ruffled edges to form cigarette rests. The removeable matchbox holder, with 'Souvenier' (note spelling) engraved on the front, is supported by a French Lebel cartridge case and spent round.
Believed to be of Canadian manufacture, the case and primer are profusely stamped and include the date 1916. In some areas the detail has started to fade a little, due to polishing over the years, with some traces of polish remaining. The matchbox included is of 1960s vintage.
H:13 x Dia:11cm £40.00 + £4.20 P&P UK
The 18-pounder field gun formed the backbone of the Royal Field Artillery during WWI during which over 86 million 18-pounder shells were fired. Up to a million a week were fired in the summer of 1917 alone.
Vintage wooden cigarette lighter
Quirky hand carved item with attitude. Possibly a miner / fire and rescue? Most people have an opinion but no one knows for sure.
Varnished finish but only traces of varnish remaining on the tunic and helmet, 90% remaining on head and neck. Requires flint and lighter fluid. Apart from the loss of finish and the odd scrape here and there it remains a nice thing and very unusual.
H:8.5 x W:5.5cm £30.00 + £4.20 P&P UK
Vintage leather covered Flag cigarettes tin
W.D. and H.O. Wills tobacco company. FLAG CIGARETTES clearly stamped in the base, a fragment cut from a handwritten note lining the bottom. The lettering impressed into the lid is now only partially readable and there are small areas of corrosion to inner surfaces. Skilfully covered in leather and raffia, this type of work is believed to originate in Africa, possibly as souvenirs for troops. A cigarette tin treated in a similar way can be found in the collection at Manchester Museum.
H:9 x Dia:7cm £28.00 + £4.20 P&P UK
Player’s Bachelor Cork Tips 50 cigarettes tin with contents
Scarce tin with just a few minor dings in the lid - not particularly obvious unless viewed from the underside. Outer lid is grubby with minor corrosion spots, also present on the sides. The base is grubby but corrosion free. Inside, the lid retains its original bright red finish and shiny reflective inner walls and base. The tin came with a collection of interesting items as follows:
1) Embroidered WWI silk postcard with a winter scene and message - "Greetings from France". Minor foxing to fabric, stitching remains bright and colourful. Handwritten on the card back in faded green crayon - "Never forget the Great War x". This has been encapsulated between glass and stiff card with a brass hanging loop.
2) Attractive Over-Seas League Empire Day 1941 certificate awarded to Cyril Fields. This has been folded once. There are a number of creases over the full area, two corners are missing and there is damage to two edges. Colours remain bright.
3) George VI silver three pence coin dated 1937. Toned VF.
4) George V Canadian silver 5 cents coin dated 1917. Toned VF.
5) United States half dime dated 1851 with hole for suspension on a chain. Poor.
6) 2 Centimes coin - Leopold II, date worn away (circa 1869 - 1909). Poor.
Tin: L:15.4 x W:11 x D:1.7cm £22.00 + £3.55 P&P UK