In 1935 the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique launched the S.S. Normandie, which was the largest and fastest passenger ship yet to be built. It was also one of the most extravagant ships, with interior fittings designed by the preeminent names of the French luxury trade, including René Lalique, Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann, Jean Dupas, and Raymond Subes. Even the ashtrays were commissioned from the noted ceramicist Jean Luce. The sophistication and speed of the Normandie captured the public imagination, and many of the passengers lucky enough to sail on it kept the ashtrays as mementos. In fact, so many ashtrays disappeared during the first few years that the name of the ship was removed from the side to make them less appealing as souvenirs. This early example became a souvenir for Connecticut-native Bernard Shield when he sailed on the Normandie in September 1936.