1910 Metropolitan Railway Carriage Ashtray (London Underground)
Metropolitan Railway Carriage Ashtray - 1910
Produced by Metropolitan Railway Company (London). Measures approximately 9cm (W) 7cm (H) x 3cm (D). Brass and steel ashtray made in two parts with an embossed "MR" emblem. Lifting the inner section up enables the Ashtray to be tipped and emptied. Example held in the London Transport Museum (reference 1992/309)
This fascinating relic originates from a Metropolitan Railway carriage, attributed by the London Transport Museum as c.1910. The Metropolitan Railway was London's (and the world's) first Underground Railway, opening in January 1863.
It is extraordinary to think that smoking on the Underground was permitted until 1984. Yet from the day of opening in 1863, smoking was banned on the Metropolitan Railway (no doubt on account of the poor air quality, flammable gases and wooden carriages). With smoking being so prevalent and seen by many as beneficial to health many opposed the ban, including Henry Sheridan MP who wrote in support of overturning the exemption on the underground to "counteract the effect of the sulphurous vapours which have been so much complained of".
The ban was eventually lifted in the 1870s.
FREE UK DELIVERY. Non-UK Delivery available, please request a quotation
Metropolitan Railway Carriage Ashtray - 1910
Produced by Metropolitan Railway Company (London). Measures approximately 9cm (W) 7cm (H) x 3cm (D). Brass and steel ashtray made in two parts with an embossed "MR" emblem. Lifting the inner section up enables the Ashtray to be tipped and emptied. Example held in the London Transport Museum (reference 1992/309)
This fascinating relic originates from a Metropolitan Railway carriage, attributed by the London Transport Museum as c.1910. The Metropolitan Railway was London's (and the world's) first Underground Railway, opening in January 1863.
It is extraordinary to think that smoking on the Underground was permitted until 1984. Yet from the day of opening in 1863, smoking was banned on the Metropolitan Railway (no doubt on account of the poor air quality, flammable gases and wooden carriages). With smoking being so prevalent and seen by many as beneficial to health many opposed the ban, including Henry Sheridan MP who wrote in support of overturning the exemption on the underground to "counteract the effect of the sulphurous vapours which have been so much complained of".
The ban was eventually lifted in the 1870s.
FREE UK DELIVERY. Non-UK Delivery available, please request a quotation
Metropolitan Railway Carriage Ashtray - 1910
Produced by Metropolitan Railway Company (London). Measures approximately 9cm (W) 7cm (H) x 3cm (D). Brass and steel ashtray made in two parts with an embossed "MR" emblem. Lifting the inner section up enables the Ashtray to be tipped and emptied. Example held in the London Transport Museum (reference 1992/309)
This fascinating relic originates from a Metropolitan Railway carriage, attributed by the London Transport Museum as c.1910. The Metropolitan Railway was London's (and the world's) first Underground Railway, opening in January 1863.
It is extraordinary to think that smoking on the Underground was permitted until 1984. Yet from the day of opening in 1863, smoking was banned on the Metropolitan Railway (no doubt on account of the poor air quality, flammable gases and wooden carriages). With smoking being so prevalent and seen by many as beneficial to health many opposed the ban, including Henry Sheridan MP who wrote in support of overturning the exemption on the underground to "counteract the effect of the sulphurous vapours which have been so much complained of".
The ban was eventually lifted in the 1870s.
FREE UK DELIVERY. Non-UK Delivery available, please request a quotation
