Collecting Ashtrays

Of the many souvenirs the Herman Ewers of Wichita, Kans., and Cascade, Colo., have brought home from their travels through more than 70 countries, the commonest of all, ashtrays has proved the most fascinating.

Mrs. Ewers has over 300 ashtrays displayed on narrow shelves against the knotty pine walls of her summer cabin in Cascade. These ashtrays are made of a wide variety of materials, and each one brings back a host of memories.

Some of these ashtrays are very valuable. Many are gifts from friends and from famous people the Ewers have, met in their travels. At least a few are antiques, and each tray has a story.

Lucy Ewers first started with a collection of bells. After she had about a hundred of these, she realized she had two ashtrays that were unique. They were from the ships Bremen and Columbus, both of which were sunk during the war so that no one except another ashtray collector could have such souvenirs.

She decided that having one ashtray from each famous ship, plane, restaurant, hotel, night club, and city visited would be a better collection for her than bells. Ashtrays are more economical since many such places gladly present them without cost when asked. Trays are easier and less costly to transport since they are usually small and light weight. And they are excellent mementos since each can be connected at a glance with the place it was acquired. In addition to being decorative, and conversation pieces, they are useful.

Ten years ago Mr. Ewers' physician prescribed travel for his health. Since then the Ewers have spent about four months out of every year abroad. They sailed on great ships to Europe, the Mediterranean, the South Seas, South America, North Cape, and the Caribbean. They have traveled on great air lines and famous intercontinental railways. Each is represented by an ashtray, unique, handsome.

Some of their plane souvenirs are marked "Fly Air Jordan," reminding them of a flight from Cairo to Jerusalem; "Marrakech," from Casablanca to Marrakech; and "K.L.M. Reali Lines Aeree Olandeii," the Dutch airline from Curacao to Laguirra, Venezuela.