There is something different and special about matchboxes. It could be simplicity of the size, the odor of the wooden matches when lit, or the art and design that is created on the limited space. I cannot say when I decided to start collecting matchboxes but it has always intrigued me. It is a souvenir, a memory and a time capsule all bound into one.
These days, it is harder to come by unless you are an avid traveler and you stay at hotels or eat at nice restaurants. I find the coolest matchboxes come from these places. A matchbox serves several purposes:
- It promotes a location; whether its a restaurant, a hotel, a mall, etc.
- It is an utility; it lets you light fire to have a cigarette or to just the urge to burn something.
- It is art; different logos, combination of colors and the simplicity of it all is very appealing.
All these factors has led me to have always collected matchboxes on my travels. Its a piece of where I have been and I can one day share it with my friends, my children and grandchildren. Especially now that smoking is such a social taboo; matchboxes can soon be extinct.
Save matchboxes and preserve a piece of history.
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Can you help me? I have some very old matches with red phosporous tips about the size of a pencil tip.The matches are made of a balsa type wood and are very fragile.They come packed in tissue paper as 5 individual rows of 17 matches. I believe them to be locofocos or the first friction matches ever made. This is the only info I can find on the web about them. If you know anything, I’d appreciate it if you could get back to me.I have many.I found them preserved and hidden among my grandfather’s belongings.
Thanks,
Steve Sanocki
Hi
Nice to read your blog.I agrree that matchboxes always been a showcase of culture and tradition.Also the masterpiece comes in a very less penny and full of utility is really amzing.Myself yogesh from India,I have a collection of about 5000 labels and am quite passionate about it. Will you please cooperate me to add to my collection.I will be really thankful to you if you know some people or friends who can share matches with me.My email is yogeshmaralkar@gmail.com. Thanks and best wishes..
yogesh