BEATLES FLY TWA 1965 Original Tour Promo Ashtray. Only One Known.

Description

BEATLES FLY TWA 1965 Original Tour Promo Ashtray. Only One Known.
Beatles - TWA Promo Ashtray
1965 original 6.5" x 6.5" promo ceramic ashtray.
Features "When The Beatles Cross The Atlantic - They Fly TWA Trans World Airlines Service To U.S.A." with 4 airplanes painted on the inside. The outside edges have TWA logo and catch phrase on two sides and "It's Fab" on the other two. Bottom has "Studio Ware J&G Meakin England" stamp.
J & G Meakin was a pottery company that was founded in England, first opening its factories in the 1851.
On August 13th, 1965, The Beatles landed in New York City's JFK Airport to begin their second US tour. They arrived on TWA Boeing 707 Flight 703 from London's Heathrow Airport.
Trans World Airlines was well aware of the publicity it could generate by promoting the fact that The Beatles flew on their airline. During the previous year, they had seen many photos of The Beatles carrying Pan Am and BOAC flight bags, so they were not going to miss this marketing opportunity. They also made custom Beatles TWA red flight bags. There is a photo of the Beatles at JFK where George Harrison's personalized bag can be seen, which says "M.B.E." after his name.
The Beatles were made
"Members of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire" on June 12th, 1965
(though they were awarded their actual M.B.E. medals on October 16, 1965). So clearly TWA was planning their promotional strategy early, as they needed to have those flight bags ready by August 13th.
On their second day in New York City, The Beatles headed out to rehearse and tape their performance for "The Ed Sullivan Show", which was scheduled to air sometime the next month. The next day The Beatles performed for over 55,000 fans at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York. This concert created a new world record for a pop concert in terms of attendance and gross revenue.
We think that this ashtray was used at Heathrow in London and in TWA's Ambassador Lounge at JFK to promote the fact that The Beatles flew on their airline to begin their US tour. It features the famous Beatles "Drop T" logo and text in classic "TWA Red" ink.
In our 40+ years in the rare Beatles memorabilia business, we've never seen another one of these. There is not one in the TWA Museum in Kansas City, nor in the museum exhibit at the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport. It may well be the only surviving example. It may be the rarest piece of 1960s Beatles memorabilia and also a very important concert related item.
Absolutely stunning near mint condition!
Condition: M-
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