Imperial Ash Tray

Today’s Museum Monday treasure from the Museum of American Glass in WV is an Imperial ash tray – or is it? As can be seen in the original photographs from our archives, the No. 1776/1 ash tray was brought out in the 1940s, but was also available as the No. 1776/2 picture frame and the No. 1776/3 mirror. It is known in crystal and in black suede. By the early 1950s, stars were added to the ash tray, as can be seen in the No. 1950/1776 milk glass version in our collection. Known simply as Eagle or as Federal Eagle, examples of this ashtray are also found in antique blue, with other colors probably made over the years. Some samples were made in ultra blue for Star Exclusive Party Plan in 1977, who went out of business before the order could be filled, so probably were not produced in any quantity.

The mould later went to Boyd’s Crystal Art Glass who made our example in orange slag around 1984.

There was also a cigarette holder in the Eagle pattern. The one in the last photograph is embossed with the IG trademark on the bottom.