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Amphibious Jeep Trench Art ashtray

In Folk Art > Trench Art > Show & Tell and Tobacciana > Ashtrays > Show & Tell.
Trench Art222 of 325Trench Art Ashtray and Lighter with original boxWW2 Pacific theater, aluminum trench art bracelet
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    Posted 12 years ago

    scottvez
    (977 items)

    This is another more unusual piece of trench art.

    The ash tray is made to resemble a Ford GPA Amphibian or SEEP (SEA JEEP).

    It was produced in 1942 through the first half of 1943 with an ending production of 12,778.

    The vehicle while dual purposed, did not meet land or water expectations. It was thought to be too slow and maneuvered poorly on land, while in water it was thought to be too small.

    The GPA did see combat service during the Sicily Invasion.

    This model is 6" long and stands about 1 3/4" tall. The body is of shell brass and the wheels are "42" and "43" dated .50 cal rounds. The headlights are smaller rifle brass cartridges, dated "43".

    The center portion lifts out for cleaning.

    Scott

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    Comments

    1. packrat-place packrat-place, 12 years ago
      That is absolutely amazing! What great work.
    2. scottvez scottvez, 12 years ago
      Thanks packrat--I appreciate you looking and commenting.

      Scott
    3. packrat-place packrat-place, 12 years ago
      You must have a wonderful collection, the items you post are amazing.
    4. scottvez scottvez, 12 years ago
      Thanks packrat, I appreciate it.

      Your family items are impressive! I wish that I had some items with a family history. I esp. like your Father's VMI and WW2 items.

      I hope that you continue to share what you have.

      Scott
    5. pickrknows pickrknows, 12 years ago
      Thats an awesome piece Scott, thanks for sharing!
    6. walksoftly walksoftly, 12 years ago
      I always admire creativity & craftsmanship in whatever form it takes, keep posting these gems.
    7. packrat-place packrat-place, 12 years ago
      scottvez,
      And I thank you very much, it is appreciated.
      Sometime toward the end of my fathers tour of duty, he was on a court martial board, since he was a Captain. Somewhere I have transcripts of several of the trials he was involved with, they were mostly for desertion during the war.
      If I can find them, I will post some of the pages(with the offenders names blocked out.)
      It is interesting reading.
    8. Dr_Rambow Dr_Rambow, 12 years ago
      That is very neat, I love it! You know I would kill for a tank with good provenance, but this isn't too bad either. Is that some celluloid/ early plastic I see poking out from the inside?
    9. scottvez scottvez, 12 years ago
      Thanks Doc. It is just the discoloration of the metal-- no plastic at all.

      Have you seen my tank on the site:

      http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/22800-ww1-trench-art-tank-c-1918?in=user

      Scott
    10. Dr_Rambow Dr_Rambow, 12 years ago
      Really? That's a neat wear pattern then. It almost looks like some kind of faux -wood bakelite material.

      Yeah, I've seen that tank of yours, lots of love for that orange patina. Still not certain of the model tank it's trying to represent, it might just be the simplicity of the parts at hand or a little bit of artistic license. *Maybe* it could be a FT17 or some such vehicle if you really stretch the imagination, Otherwise I'd say the form looks very WWII.
    11. scottvez scottvez, 12 years ago
      Yep-- I think it is modeled after the Renault.

      Orange patina?? The treads are from a copper driving band and show typical copper patina.

      I have a few other tanks that I'll post when I have the chance.

      Scott
    12. Dr_Rambow Dr_Rambow, 12 years ago
      Well some trench art gets polished to the point of insanity, making everything look, imo, terrible. When time and oxidation take their tool, the result is much more beautiful. Even the hull of your tank has a little color to it (brass?), which is nice. Don't mind me, I'm just a patina fiend :P

      Maybe one day I'll shift my attention to trench art, it really is fascinating stuff. I might need to hit you up for advice when the time comes!
    13. Dr_Rambow Dr_Rambow, 12 years ago
      Toll*. And yes, I'd love to see the other tanks/vehicles you have.
    14. scottvez scottvez, 12 years ago
      It was polished a while ago, but most of the patina has returned.

      I am not a fan of the polished trench art either. I have seen some UK pieces with some extreme polishing.

      Scott
    15. scottvez scottvez, 12 years ago
      Thanks pickingupbones and von.

      Scott
    16. scottvez scottvez, 12 years ago
      Thanks for looking bratjdd.

      Scott
    17. scottvez scottvez, 12 years ago
      Thanks much bellin.

      Scott
    18. larrytolkin, 12 years ago
      scott-this is also a fake
    19. scottvez scottvez, 12 years ago
      Explain.

      Scott
    20. larrytolkin, 12 years ago
      scott-first-there is too much solder. ww2 trench items were not made by soldiers but in workshops. they were machined by artisans and are not as crude as fakes. vintage 1940's ww2 trench style items with solder are mostly solder repairs done recently. the star etched on side is crude and bogus. this is a not so difficult put together brass item with straight sides and easy to cut bullets as trim. the design with pull out ashtray is not typical of actual ww2 trench and an ashtray like this would of come with matching lighter and cigarette holder. i know you find my comments frustrating-but i will gladly show you 1000 pieces of actual ww2 trench art [mostly lighters] should you visit the nyc area. you will then fully understand. fake trench has been manufactured since the early 1980's as soon as values started to rise with a growing market. fakes continue today to be made in many parts of the world such as russia - germany - latvia - hungray - uk and usa. fake trench usually looks to good to be true. the brass tank with articulating snuffer currently listed on ebay is also fake-[as well as many others]. i wrote you these notes to help stop the proliferation of fakes.
    21. scottvez scottvez, 12 years ago
      I am very familiar with WW2 trench art construction and techniques.

      This same vehicle with similar markings and a pull out ashtray is documented in Jane Kimball's Trench Art book.

      The star symbol is typical of WW2 era engraving.

      I too have seen AND HANDLED thousands of pieces of trench art (for the most part NOT LIGHTERS). I too have seen the fakes and modern creations.

      You may know lighters but you are wrong on this piece and the others noted.

      Scott
    22. walksoftly walksoftly, 12 years ago
      @larrytolkin, where is this excess solder that you speak of? We like to back up our statements here with proof show us one of these Amphibious Jeep Trench Art ashtrays that you feel is genuine.
    23. larrytolkin, 12 years ago
      scott-i spoke with jane years ago. while a fabulous book-there are mistakes. as for actual proof-lets reverse it-prove to me it was made during the 1940's. you cannot just like i cannot prove its a fake. one thing i've learned after 50 years of dealing in vintage items is that many dealers and collector re-sellers are dishonest. they will make up stories about trench items to make them seem more valuable. to make even more $ -they are known to make up stuff from scratch and sell fakes as originals. my comments to you are a warning to the collector market. you do not need to listen.
    24. larrytolkin, 12 years ago
      scott-the first thing you need to know about ww2 trench-is most items were not made by soldiers. soldiers may of had the ability to make wooden objects or cloth items but they did not make brass - aluminum - steel - or plastic items. these are 99% workshop made. most fake trench has a crude look as sellers have convinced buyers-they are individually made by a soldier. well-not during ww2. most ww1 trench are also workshop made in france. the entire category of trench art has been misunderstood since collecting became serious in the 1970's. i will be doing a book in a year or two and at that time-the value of made-up trench will plummet although they will have value as a fake.
    25. larrytolkin, 12 years ago
      walksoftly-you can see either solder or heat discoloration on the brass where all the parts are attached. this is a clear sign-its a fake. these type ww2 items were not made by soldiers and were not as crude as this vehicle looks. if you disagree -by all means keep buying made up fakes. they are quite showy.
    26. scottvez scottvez, 12 years ago
      Yes there are but this piece is not one of them.

      Experience drives all of us and our decisions when examining an object.

      I have over 25 years dealing with trench art. During that time I have handled thousands of pieces, spoken to hundreds of collectors and dealers and spoken to numerous veterans. I have also seen numerous era photographs in unit histories and private albums that document trench art of the era.

      If your intent is to warn collectors, then post YOUR items and examples and SHOW the difference. To get on here and post that four items are fake with nothing to back it up makes me question your motives.

      Post your items and educate the collector market.

      Scott
    27. larrytolkin, 12 years ago
      scott-i have not seen any historical information documenting ww2 trench made items. i am not sure the ww2 seabee reference in jane kimballs book is accurate. if you have any-i am very interested. i will post 2 photos i have of fakes. every lighter in both photos are fake and were made in last few years. he is still making them. i do not have any photos of fakes i owned as i sold them as fakes a few years ago to a dealer who did not care.
    28. larrytolkin, 12 years ago
      scott-i posted 2 photos of fake lighters. every item in both photos was recently made. the other 2 antique people i know who make fake stuff-make them better than these. the people i know who make these type fakes consider their work as art. it is however not actual trench art. there are many more makers of fake trench than i know of. as for defining what is real and what is fake- better descriptions to tell the difference will have to wait till my book comes out. it gets easier to tell the difference when you own or owned enough of each.
    29. larrytolkin, 12 years ago
      scott-my motives are simple- to warn fellow collectors about the fakes that are proliferating on ebay and elsewhere. i apologize if you feel i singled you out. i am not picking on you but i get frustrated when new collectors feel safe buying stuff when its openly discussed on sites like collectors weekly. discussing a fake as original makes the fake seem all too real. my motive is to not have other collectors buy "make ups" as originals and then find out years later its incorrect-only to be disappointed. that's all folks.
    30. walksoftly walksoftly, 12 years ago
      @larrytolkin, I have been working with & joining metal for 30 years, it is impossible to make a joint that does not show some solder. I see no signs of heat discolouration, there is however oxidation at the joints. I asked you to please post a picture of an authentic item just like this, are you not able to? BTW I don't own any trench art, my interest is in metal fabrication. Are you here just to promote your book?
    31. walksoftly walksoftly, 12 years ago
      @ scott, this all seems reminiscent of our run in with "be - nice" a few weeks ago!
    32. larrytolkin, 12 years ago
      walksoftley-actual ww2 trench art was produced by an expert in metal fabrication. i had a machinist expert from germany visit my home years ago and he could not figure out how all the items were actually made. i will upload a photo of an actual ww2 tank. it is machined aluminum with perspex inserts. my trench table items are mostly in storage but i will locate some oddball photos to upload tomorrow.
    33. Pop_abides Pop_abides, 12 years ago
      This dude is a real piece of work ! all he does is cut others down and only posted two pics of 'fakes' no likes, no loves, no good words for anyone. I think CW needs to look into this fella.
    34. walksoftly walksoftly, 12 years ago
      I agree Pop, he comes on here says its a fake then says " i cannot prove its a fake"
      If an "expert from Germany couldn't figure it out" then it must be true, maybe they had aliens make them. :)
    35. kerry10456 kerry10456, 12 years ago
      OK, I have to jump in again. He has posted photos of "FAKES" on the lighter posting, RIGHT? if thats so, take a peek at the lighter with the BIG orange long wick. Now I'm going to post the same lighter, but mine is still in the orginal box and all the paperwork. So maybe mines fake also.............NOT!!!!!!!!
    36. scottvez scottvez, 12 years ago
      Interesting lighter kerry-- nice to have the box.

      That "fakes" post is confusing. If the intent is to educate then I would expect DETAILS on the why-- otherwise folks will believe that ALL similar lighters are fake, which your boxed specimen seems to contradict!

      Scott
    37. scottvez scottvez, 12 years ago
      See post #20:
      "there is too much solder. ww2 trench items were not made by soldiers but in workshops. they were machined by artisans and are not as crude as fakes."

      Here is a link to another trench art item that shows an equally "over soldered job" on the underside and similar discoloration:

      http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/51476-trench-art-desk-stand-for-b-24-crewman?in=user

      Scott
    38. scottvez scottvez, 12 years ago
      I added a photograph to show the quality solder seam as it shows on the outside of this piece. The bottom is a tub shape that sits into frame and then was soldered to hold it in place.

      The interior solder is rougher in appearance as one would expect for something unseen.

      Scott
    39. Pop_abides Pop_abides, 12 years ago
      Do you want to bet that Mr. Larry has never been in the military?
    40. scottvez scottvez, 12 years ago
      Agree pops!

      Post your desk plate when you have time.

      Scott
    41. scottvez scottvez, 11 years ago
      Thanks petey-- it is one of my favorite examples!

      scott
    42. scottvez scottvez, 11 years ago
      Thanks p...!

      scott
    43. pcdocstl06 pcdocstl06, 11 years ago
      How cool is that, if you ever need to part with them, hit me up!
    44. scottvez scottvez, 11 years ago
      Thanks again pc.

      Trench art is one collecting area that I don't sell at all. I have collected for about 30 years (hundreds of pieces) and don't recall selling a single one!

      scott
    45. pcdocstl06 pcdocstl06, 11 years ago
      Good for you I can imagine your collection is awesome, and I can tell you that in personally dealing with Mr. Tolkin, he is a world class d-bag!
    46. scottvez scottvez, 11 years ago
      Thanks again pc. Yes, MR T..... was interesting. While he MAY know lighters, his extrapolations to trench art in general is a stretch.

      He argued against FACTS (Confirmed in primary source documents and era photographs) with nothing to support the argument other than his personal statements!

      scott
    47. scottvez scottvez, 11 years ago
      Thanks for looking moonstone.

      scott
    48. scottvez scottvez, 4 years ago
      Thanks for looking vintage!

      Check out my other postings for similar trench art miniatures.

      scott

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