Had to do research to find out the significance of these items.  These are rare and hard to find, but fortunately my estate knew how to buy. 

General Electric had a distribution transformer manufacturing facility in Hickory, N.C. which began laying off hundreds of workers in the mid 1970s, then subsequently closed in 1975; and because it was an E.P.A. supersite, was torn down in 1975 or closely thereafter.

All GE plants had these aluminum ashtrays, each with the plant name/location stamped in the ashtray.  I "think" these ashtrays were for employee use.  

The estate I am selling for did NOT work for G.E., but being a "pack rat" would buy or be given items once he learned of a closure. (I even sold a "working, but dismantled" grist mill to an Ebay customer of mine several years ago that was given to this gentleman when he learned the mill was closing).

Will ship within 24 hours of purchase.  Thanks