Great Early 1960s (Vietnam War Era) Continental Palace Hotel (Saigon) Ashtray

This is a great circa early 1960s ashtray from the Continental Palace Hotel in Saigon. Now called the Hotel Continental of Ho Chi Minh City, the hotel was originally built in 1880 under French Colonial rule of Vietnam. Its Old World ambiance and strategic location helped it become an iconic meeting place for Westerners, as well as provide the backdrop for Grahame Greene's "The Quiet American". The Continental was frequented by journalists during all of the country's ensuing conflicts, most notably the "American War" (what Americans call the "Vietnam War"). At least one American visitor who lodged there until the Fall of Saigon recalls the orderly way in which his room and board was tabulated in the shadow of the world's most massive helicopter evacuation ever (credit: HDS Greenway, www.globalpost.com). The ashtray is in china and has a great retro flying saucer design. There is a maker's mark showing a junk on the bottom.

Circa early 1960s (Vietnam War era).

Approximately 1-7/16" in height by 4-7/8" in diameter.

China.

None.

THIEN THANH with "junk" maker's mark.

This is from a Vietnamese collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. VAJX13 L/SHEX1/13

7+ (Very Fine+): The ashtray shows only light wear and has some slight crazing in a few spots.

As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.