Morgan Momentos – World War I Victory Ash Tray

World War I “Victory” Ash Tray. Photo Courtesy of Mr. Robert “Nick” McWhorter of Springfield, KY.

In addition to the Victory Lamp made from “unbruised” 75mm artillery shells, Snead & Co. Iron Works of Jersey City, NJ offered another unique remembrance of those who lost their lives in the Morgan based T. A. Gillespie Loading Company explosion of 1918.  Composed of the lower portion of the shell from just above the copper driving band, the ash tray also features an engraving commemorating the victory in Europe but with a slightly different order than the lamp.

Also like the Victory Lamp and lamp shade, the ash tray was awarded a patent.  Patent number 53,397 was filed on December 4, 1918 – exactly two months after the explosions which started on October 4^th – and awarded on June 3, 1919.

Here is the majority of the text from the patent application:

“Be it known that I, ANGUS S. MACDONALD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Great Neck Station, in the county of Nassau and State of New York, have invented and produced a new, original, and ornamental Design for an Ash-Tray, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an original design for ash trays and resides in the shape or form of the same being novel in its contour and in the arrangement of its ornamentation, as is clearly shown and fully illustrated in the annexed drawing…“

Thanks again to Mr. Robert “Nick” McWhorter of Springfield, Kentucky for sharing photos of his grandfather’s Victory Ash Tray with us!

Originally posted on May 9, 2010.