Though the term "ashtray" was not coined in Great Britain until the 1880's, specimens from at least the early part of the 19th century are known to exist. They have been produced in almost every material known to manufacturing - gold, silver, marble, plastic, glass, wood (!), and have reflected the aesthetics of the various periods - Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Space Age, etc. - in which they were produced.
Once coveted as mementos of stays in luxury hotels, exotic trips, or just nights on the town - at the time of her death, actress Marlene Dietrich was found to have acquired almost 30 ashtrays from restaurants and hotels throughout the US and Europe - vintage ashtrays are now appreciated as representatives of a fading lifestyle.
One of the unintended consequences of the push for "smoke-free" environments has been a corresponding decrease in the supply of tobacciana such as ashtrays. Restaurants, hotels, and local pubs that once emblazoned their names on cigarette and cigar ash receptacles now spend their advertising dollars on other media, and many of the companies that once manufactured ashtrays have either been forced to close up shop or to produce other items.
The result has been an upward pressure on the prices of vintage pieces as more and more collectors compete in the secondary markets. Of course, most ashtrays are not so rare as to command the $3230 recently paid at an online auction for a Catalina Island figural ashtray of a bear, but more than a few that might have fetched just a few dollars several years ago are now selling for up to several hundred dollars each.
Besides the always-desirable figural pieces, vintage ashtrays that are high on collectors' wish lists include those from early- and mid-20th century luxury hotels and popular nightspots, like New York's Stork Club; automobilia (especially tire companies); defunct casinos; and planes, trains, and ocean liners. For example, a Pullman Company smoking stand (free-standing ashtray) recently sold online for $710, while a MetalCraft airplane smoking stand went for $995!
You don't have to be a smoker, or former smoker, to collect ashtrays. All it takes is an unjaundiced eye, and knowledge. To that end, the following resources are recommended.
Books
"Casinos & Their Ashtrays: A Collector's Guide with Values & Casino Histories," by Art Anderson
http://tinyurl.com/22vjsv
(Considered somewhat dated, but still an interesting read.)
"Collectible Ashtrays: Information and Price Guide," by Jan Lindenberger
http://tinyurl.com/2xzyhb
"Collector's Guide to Ashtrays: Identification & Values" (2nd Edition), by Nancy Wanvig
http://tinyurl.com/266yt5
Websites
A Buyer's Guide to Casino Collectibles
http://www.ccgtcc.com/education/2005_buyers_guide.pdf (PDF file)
This is actually an online book with a chapter on casino ashtrays.
Insulator Company Ashtrays
http://tinyurl.com/yp2bdt
Pics and descriptions of ashtrays made by over two dozen insulator manufacturers.
The Slag Glass Automobile Ashtray
http://tinyurl.com/2gcok7
Page devoted to this unusual type of ashtray.
Vintage-Ronson.com
http://transporter.tripod.com/Ashtrays.html
This page offers info and pics of ashtrays produced by the Ronson lighter company.
