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One of the attractions of
collecting matchcovers is the
low cost. These things are just so common that very nice
examples can be had cheaply. As with the similar collectible,
postcards, far too many were made over the years to make an
all-inclusive collection possible, or reasonable. Most collectors are
attracted to a theme or two in which to specialize. My themes seem to
be the
same across all collectible categories: stylish design and historical
interest.
At the top here are “matchbooks”
while to the right are “matchcovers.” For safety reasons, most
collectors prefer to “shuck” the matches from matchbooks and save only
the cover, lain flat. Matches come in a wide variety of sizes and
special shapes. The most common size is the 20 light book. There are
also 10s, 30s, 40s, and others.
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DETAILS /
Matchbooks:
Susie Q
Restaurant, Royal Oak,
Michigan, where, I can personally attest, the
greatest cole slaw the
world has ever known was served, c.1960; Domestic Finance Co., c.1948;
Anaheim Bowl, California, c.1960; Farber's Jewelers, San
Francisco, c.1950 (this small matchbook is an example of the "midget"
size containing 12 matches); The Hotel Golden "Nevada's
Largest Hotel" (I bet not anymore!), c.1950; Cocktail, generic,
c.1950; Remco Chilled Sani-tized California Carrots, c.1940; Red Cross
Cough Drops, c.1958 (slim book with 10 matches known as a
"ten-strike"); Melody Lane restaurant, Los Angeles, c.1940; Sears
Fashion-Tailored Clothes for Men, c.1940. Matchcovers:
Walgreen System Drug Store featuring "Bismadine" antacid,
c.1930s; The Huddle Restaurants, Beverly Hills and West Los Angeles,
California, c.1960; "Insurance" is an example of one of the
many excellent "stock"
design matchcovers--these were ordered out of a
book of pre-made designs, to which you added the particulars of your
business in the blank space, c.1940s; Yellow Cab in Omaha, loud but
most effectively gets its point across, c.1940s;
Golden Gate International Exposition, Tower of the Sun at Night, San
Francisco Bay, 1939; "Strike at the seat of trouble" was a stock
matchcover exhorting us to buy war bonds. The striker was the seat of
Adolf Hitler's pants. Next row:
The Palmer House, Chicago, c.1930;
Washington Nationals Baseball Club, c.1955 (this American League
baseball team was also known as the Washington Senators); Stork Club,
New York City, c.1958; Blue Bird Restaurant, Pueblo, Colorado, c.1950;
Hotel Ben Lomond, Ogden, Utah, c.1940; Nixon's Family Restaurant and
Bakery, Whittier, California, mid-1950s. Donald Nixon expanded the
Nixon
family business with stylish new coffee shop and drive-in locations
while brother Richard said “I am not a cook” and went to Washington. Next
row: Cocoanut Grove at the Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles,
c.1960;
Tums, quick relief for acid indigestion, heartburn, gas, c.1940.
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