Advertising Ashtray

Q: I have an old 4-inch-diameter glass ashtray surrounded by a 7-inch-diameter rubber tire. Both sides of the tire are embossed, “U.S. Royal” and “U.S. Heavy Duty Six.” Was this an advertising item? What is its value?

A: Your ashtray was indeed an advertising item. Ashtrays like it were made from the 1930s into the ’60s to advertise just about every American tire manufacturer, including U.S. Royal, Firestone, Goodyear and Goodrich. If yours is in great shape, an advertising collector might pay about $40 for it.