Vintage Ashtray French Line S.S Normande 1932 Rare Ceramic Vintage Jean Luce

A brilliant piece of history, see photos for condition a few marks just from age and a tiny chip.

PIECE OF WRITING FROM YALE UNIVERSITY ON THIS EXACT ITEM BELOW

In 1935 the Compagnie Générale

Transatlantique launched the S.S. Normandie, which was the largest and fastest passenger ship yet to be built. It was also one of the most extravagant ships, with interior fittings designed by the preeminent names of the French luxury trade, including René Lalique, Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann, Jean Dupas, and Raymond Subes. Even the ashtrays were commissioned from the noted ceramicist Jean Luce. The sophistication and speed of the Normandie captured the public imagination, and many of the passengers lucky enough to sail on it kept the ashtrays as mementos. In fact, so many ashtrays disappeared during the first few years that the name of the ship was removed from the side to make them less appealing as souvenirs. This early example became a souvenir for Connecticut-native

Bernard Shield when he sailed on the Normandie in September 1936.