Michael Bono's Haeger Ashtray Collection

Michael Bono's Collection

I live in Bartlett, IL, with my beautiful wife of 35 years and our youngest daughter. We have one son and three daughters, who I’m proud to say are all college graduates.

I’m in my early 60s and received a bilateral lung transplant in 2020 as a result of having pulmonary fibrosis. I am truly blessed and honored to be carrying on the life of my hero donor, and to have his family in my life.

My mom's California Pottery

I’m a bit of a fanatic about Haeger ashtrays, and I suppose it all started with my love of the California Pottery ashtrays I grew up with. My parents were smokers, and my mom would bring them out when she had company. As a little boy, I was mesmerized by their beauty.

As I was recovering from my transplant, I needed something to keep me busy and I’d always enjoyed thrifting. My parents are separated, and I got the bug from my father when my sister and I would spend weekends going to flea markets with him in the 70s.

About a year into recovery, I wanted to make a space of my own and turned to our basement. As is typical, it was filled with old furniture and boxes of toys and such from raising our children. But there was a jewel in the midst of all that, my father-in-law’s pool table. The perfect centerpiece for what was to come!

I started collecting things that interested me, mostly going for the Mid-Century Modern vibe. One of the items I found most interesting was ashtrays with their wild colors and glazes. At first, I’d buy anything. But I soon began selling off all but Haeger, which I found to be exceptionally well made with glazes unlike any others.

My research led me to the Haeger Potteries Facebook groups where the members are very helpful and I have made many wonderful friends. I eventually started a group for my special interest, Haeger Lighter & Ashtray Collectors.

My collection has grown to over 200 Haeger ashtrays and another 100 plus Haeger pieces including lamps, vases, planters, and animal figures. Other interests include collecting records, woodworking, and volunteering at my local theatre.

I hope you enjoy my collection,

Michael Bono

The Bono's Living Room

These first two photos were taken in rooms one just above the other, but look worlds apart.

The Bono's living room features Haeger pieces in Etruscan Ivory, including the two lamps.

Michael's basement contains his eclectic collection of... well, a bit of everything fun! But the closer you look, the more Haeger ashtrays you'll see.

Michael's Basement

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Lung Ashtrays

As a recipient of a bilateral lung transplant, I have an affinity for these ashtrays. They have not been found in a catalog, so we don't know what Haeger called them. But for obvious reasons, I have dubbed them my Lung Ashtrays.

Illinois Sesquicentennial Ashtrays