Ashtray, Lighter and Pamphlet
MakerPorcelain made by
The Hartford Faience Co.
(founded 1895)
MakerLighter made by
Evans Case Co.
(American, 1922 - 1960)
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
George Douglas Rankin Jr.
(American)
Dateabout 1955
MediumAshtray (.a) and Lighter (.b): Mold-formed porcelain with a brown glaze, leather, gilding, and cast brass.
Pamphlet (.c): Wove paper.
DimensionsComponent (height x diameter of lighter): 3 1/2 x 2 1/2in. (8.9 x 6.4cm)
Component (diameter of ashtray): 6 7/8in. (17.5cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineGift of Margaret Rankin
Object number1986.160.37a-c
DescriptionRound ashtray (.a) made of porcelain with an opaque brown glaze, a lighter (.b) made of porcelain and brass, and a wove paper pamphlet (.c). The ashtray is shallow and round, with horizontal ribs on the sides. There is a second, circular rim inside, intended to hold the ashes, with six semi-circular indentations on the rim.
The brass lighter consists of a short, round, hollow, porcelain column with horizontally ribbed sides. The lighter fits snugly inside the porcelain column. The lighter has a sleek, ribbed handle, which, when pressed down, caused the lighter mechanism to lift up and produce a flame. The underside of the lighter has two screws, intended to enable the owner to refill the fluid. One of the screws is stamped "EVANS/ FUEL", referring to the manufacturer. The bottom of the porcelain lighter has a circular, leather piece attached. It is stamped and gilded with the words "THE HARTFORD FAIENCE CO. HARTFORD, CONN./ QUALITY ELECTRICAL PORCELAIN", an advertisement for the Hartford Faience Company.
The pamphlet serves as advertising for the Evans Case Co. and gives instructions on how to use, maintain, and refill an Evans Case Co. lighter. It is printed in black and teal ink.
The ashtray has many scratches along the top edge of the center rim and a few scratches on the inside bottom of the area meant to hold ashes. The lighter has some light tarnishing on the handle and dirt near the lighting mechanism. The pamphlet has deep fold creases and one area where heat from the lighter caused the paper to turn a light brown.
NotesHistorical Note: George Douglas Rankin, the donor's father, was the President of the Hartford Faience Company in Hartford, Connecticut.The brass lighter consists of a short, round, hollow, porcelain column with horizontally ribbed sides. The lighter fits snugly inside the porcelain column. The lighter has a sleek, ribbed handle, which, when pressed down, caused the lighter mechanism to lift up and produce a flame. The underside of the lighter has two screws, intended to enable the owner to refill the fluid. One of the screws is stamped "EVANS/ FUEL", referring to the manufacturer. The bottom of the porcelain lighter has a circular, leather piece attached. It is stamped and gilded with the words "THE HARTFORD FAIENCE CO. HARTFORD, CONN./ QUALITY ELECTRICAL PORCELAIN", an advertisement for the Hartford Faience Company.
The pamphlet serves as advertising for the Evans Case Co. and gives instructions on how to use, maintain, and refill an Evans Case Co. lighter. It is printed in black and teal ink.
The ashtray has many scratches along the top edge of the center rim and a few scratches on the inside bottom of the area meant to hold ashes. The lighter has some light tarnishing on the handle and dirt near the lighting mechanism. The pamphlet has deep fold creases and one area where heat from the lighter caused the paper to turn a light brown.
Historical Note: This is said to have been made from molds taken of the doorknobs at Trinity College.
Status
Not on view
