original and intact depression era american art deco machine age "iron fireman" advertising tray, designed and fabricated by the rehberger company, chicago, ills. the figural tray is comprised of spelter or cast zinc with a heavily darkened chrome plated finish. the unique advertising ironman figure or robot was prominently displayed on signs, paperweights, ashtrays, clocks and other items pertaining to the iron fireman manufacturing company, cleveland, oh. one of the company's notable products was the automatic coal stoker, which fed coal and removed the ash under automated control. the unique salesman sample fabricator was founded in 1912 by a.c. rehberger. the a.c. rehberger company was one of only two firms in the united states that specialized in hand-molded, handcrafted metal sculptural figurines, most made from molds created by a.c. rehberger. the company produced 3000 different paperweights, bookends, desk sets, ashtrays, nameplates, sports trophies and collectors' items cast in lead or zinc, including the first oscar statuette in the 1920s. in the 1930s, the firm became known for its metal coin banks and miniature buildings produced as giveaway promotions.