Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[dclf1947]

I purchased this ashtray in a Cheltenham antique shop in the late 1980s. I used to visit the shop regularly and this was there some time so I probably paid far too much at 20 pounds but it just intrigued me. The decoration theme is vehicle components, there is a Lodge spark plug, CAV diesel equipment, Lucs (could that possibly a spelling error of Lucas?) coil plus other manufacturer unidentified equipment including hydraulic components. The crests of England, Netherlands and the town of Bussum in the Netherlands are also shown. Underneath it can be seen that it is Delfts pottery and appears to be number 3 of design 5560. The number 5560 is also lightly imprinted in the clay above the name H.P. Astbury (although it is not clear in the photograph). I think it was probably manufactured in the late 1940s or early 1950s.
I am intrigued in what was the tie up between Bussum in the Netherlands and England. Who was H.P. Astbury and were all the companies with equipment shown on the ashtray English and possibly affiliated in some way? I wonder if it was made for some sort of trade show or maybe advertising for car parts dealer.
Anyone have any ideas? The Automobile magazine put my letter in asking for information a few months ago but nobody knew.

Dave
Philippines