Rumph Cigarette Eating Creature Ashtray

This bizarre yet amazing creature is a "Rumph" creation. Very little is known (or published) about "Rumph" creations, and even less about the artist. James Calhoun Rumph was born in 1942 in Missouri. His career was tragically cut short when in 1993 he was struck by a motor vehicle on the streets of Los Angeles California. He died 5 days later. It was in his Santa Monica studio (the "Slyme Factory") that he created more than 300 known works. The items made for mass production were allegedly often marked "Slyme Factory" or "Mind Circus" as well as "Rumph". This creature is just marked "Rumph" and "1973". It was apparently made to be an ashtray, and thus given the name "Cigarette Eating Creature" or "Butt Eating Creature" (AKA "Butteater". It depicts a wart covered, gremlin type creature who appears to be choking - his hands are at his throat and his wide eyes rolled back in his head. I guess this makes sense, since his mouth serves as the ashtray. The creature is green/tan in color. It measures 7.5" tall, and 5" wide (across the ears). It is in excellent condition and appears to have never been used.