Delaware Lackawanna & Western Railroad Small Collectibles - Fred W Heilich III

In December 2025, I was contacted by fellow Lackawanna fan and DL&WRR HS member Randy King about several items in his collection that he would like to share with fellow fans. These include a ceramic Lackawanna ashtray- match book holder, an unused book of Lackawanna matches, and a brass Lackawanna letter opener.

The ashtray was cast by 'M.B Co Trenton, NJ' with patent number '111173'. Trenton was home to several ceramic manufacturers, but when sources were checked there was no M.B Co found on the list, However, Tim Stuy believes that MB Co was Maddox China.

Ceramic Lackawanna ashtray with Matchbook holder and unused book of Matches

Ceramic Lackawanna ashtray with Matchbook holder and unused book of Matches. #2

Back side of the Lackawanna ashtray with manufacture's and patent impression

Here we have the brass Lackawanna letter opener. There are no manufacture's marks on it. The handle is imprinted with 'Lackawanna Railroad To New York', below that is an egg-shaped imprint with the words 'To and From Europe Lackawanna Terminals'. The inner portion has 'Hohoken' on the bottom with open palm with 'Ferry To' a line to indicate the Hudson River with fingers for '23rd St, Christopher St, Barclay St, Ellis Island' with 'New York' above the hand.

Below that is the name of 'C. P. Barrett Gen West Pass Agt. Chicago'.

The blade is imprinted 'Via The Delaware Water Gap'.

he Lackawanna Railroad Letter Opener

The Lackawanna Railroad Letter Opener Handle Closeup #1

The Lackawanna Railroad Letter Opener Handle Closeup #2