January 2, 2022

The World of Churchill Collectables: Australian Ashtray

By BRIAN KRAPF

The continual quest for Churchilliana encompasses a search throughout the nations of the British Empire, the Commonwealth and the Allies. Many items are unique to various countries, such as Australia, Canada, South Africa, and even Brazil and Cuba. The object presented here is a wartime ashtray made of porcelain and found in Australia. While it bears no maker’s marks, it seems unique to that country.

After research and consultation with other knowledgeable collectors, I have found that that is currently the only known example. Most wartime porcelain items were produced in Britain or Canada. If this ashtray had been made in either of those countries, there is a substantial likelihood more copies would have now been discovered.

Rising from the center is a holder for a box of matches, with open sides so the striker on the side of the box can still be used. The ashtray shows use but is, to the best of our knowledge, a unique survivor. We are pleased to include it amongst the Churchill-related smoking accessories in our collection.

Brian Krapf’s forthcoming book We Want Winston!—A Treasury of Memorabilia will be published in 2022