USS Enterprise (CV-6) Launching Ashtray, 1936.

U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6) Shipyard Launching & Commissioning ashtray.
This is an original, cast aluminum, shipyard-made, Launching and Commissioning Ashtray. One of several, it was cast in the foundry at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company of Newport News Virginia as a launching (1936) and commissioning (1938) gift for dignitaries and VIPs. Many were also placed aboard as shipyard gifts for use in the common areas frequented by both officers and crew.

Ashtrays for the USS Enterprise were the first to be manufactured, and they proved so popular that they were cast for subsequent carriers launched during WWII; as examples from the USS Coral Sea and USS Midway evidence. The shipyard-made ashtrays like this example have the name of the foundry cast into the bottom. Later shipboard copies have plain bottoms. In both of the World Wars smoking was a socially accepted and ubiquitous practice: thus some of the most popular folk art objects created for our servicemen were ashtrays.

The USS Enterprise (CV-6) was the seventh U.S. Navy vessel to bear that distinguished name. Lovingly nicknamed "The Big E" she was the only aircraft carrier to fight and survive throughout WWII. She was engaged in every major battle save one, earning a total of 20 battle stars, the most highly decorated ship of WWII. Quartermaster 3rd Class Ernst B. Turp, who joined the ship in the summer of 1945, acquired this ashtray during his service aboard the Enterprise and retained it as a memento.

This ashtray was accompanied by other Enterprise artifacts: a 48 star #10 ensign (ZFC3843); an admiral's absence signal (ZFC3844); a MK 2 USN Utility Knife & Sheath (ZFC3847 & 3848) and Turp's USN Liberty Card from the USS Enterprise (ZFC3865).


Provenance:

• Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company,, 1936.
• USS Enterprise, 1936 - 1945.
• USN Quartermaster 3c Ernest B. Turp, 1945/46.
• Retained by QM3c Turp as a memento of service until, 1990s.
• Acquired by purchase by The War Museum of New York City, 1990s
• Sold via Bonham's of New York City, NY to Zaricor Flag Collection, 2013.


Sources:

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Art of Smoking Collection, The War Museum, 9 April 2013, from: http://www.thewarmuseum.com/loc.html

USS Enterprise, Wikipedia, 9 April 2013, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Enterprise_%28CV-6%29

Remembering Enterprise, USS Enterprise CV-6, The Most Decorated Ship of the Second World War, USS Enterprise Association, 9 April 2013, from: http://www.cv6.org/remember/default.htm

USS Enterprise, Naval History and Heritage Command, 9 April 2013, from: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-e/cv6.htm

Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection
Bonhams

Hoist & Fly
Width of Hoist	3
Length of Fly	13.5

Frame
Is it framed?	no

Nationality
Nation Represented	United States

Fabric
Fabric	Metal
Comments on Fabric	Nickel alloy

Attachment
Method of Attachment	None

Applica
Applique Sides	3-D Artifact

Documentation
Documents	All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.
Drawings	All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.

Condition
Condition	Good
Damage	Used, tarnished
Displayable	yes

Date
Date	1936