Collection Challenge #30 - Matchbooks

Janis challenged a post on matchbooks.  I hemmed and hawed about doing one as I don't really collect these...but once I started searching my house and studio, I think I came up with an interesting post.

First we have our run of the mill matchbooks.

These matchbooks from a local tavern  made me laugh with their little comic. "Hey Ma, git the preacher, Anna Mae's aim got better."

I have had these matchbooks forever and bought them purely because of the awesome graphics.

The are dated 1957 from Ohio Art.

These oversize matchbooks were a score this past year at an estate sale.  I bought them due to the fact I had never seen anything like them and the fact they doubled as a greeting card.

Another oversize matchbook featuring a birthday theme. (dated 1937 Hallmark)

Love that the matches have birthday messages.

For the bridge player.

I think this collection of matchbook covers were the cover of a scrapbook as the side is drilled with a couple of holes

This side is all monogrammed matchbook covers.

The flip side is matchbooks with advertising (mostly from Oregon and Washington). I think this is an old collection - perhaps the 1940's or 50's.

Since smoking used to be all the rage, it was only natural that this gift enclosure card was modelled after a matchbook.

And that the romance of smoking would also transfer over to this vintage wrapping paper with "Best Wishes" in smoke over a manly hunting scene.

And with that I leave you with "Best Wishes" for the day!

If you have an idea for a future collection challenge, leave me a comment and finish the sentence "Show me your collection of _____".  I am about to break open the Christmas bins and foresee some Christmas collections in the future!

Comments

[Mitzi Curi]

Laurie, you are truly an amazing collector! I enjoy your blog so much, and I feel we have a similar aesthetic and penchant for cheerful reminders of the past.

It cracks me up how pipes were so important 50 to 70 years ago. They show up in just about every depiction of men, just like women were shown wearing aprons, a dress and high heels. Those were the days.....

[Nancy Jane York]

Laurie I had no idea the beauty of some matchbooks. Thanks for posting. Did you see in my Christmas photo I have some of the reindeer herd? Nan

[Annette]

The Ohio art covers are beautiful. A fun collection for someone who thought they didn't have many......I also like the ashtry you used for display.
Annette

[elma riedstra]

I love this collection. Such cute pictures. I have a small christmas collection of matchbooks:) Can't wait to see you home all done up for Christmas!!!

[Kathy]

I love the ones that are all glued together for the scrapbook (??) cover. I have quite an accumulation of matchbooks myself, although none so pretty as yours. I never know what to do with them so they just sit up on the shelf in a couple of big jars. I might have to pull them out tonight and fiddle around. Thanks for the inspiration!

[The Funky Junk Sisters]

How fun! So happy you shared. Hopefully we will see you at our "Junk Salvation" show in Hillsboro on Feb 5th!

Linda & Dixie
http://www.funkyjunksisters.com

[Lynn]

What fun!!

[Janis]

Hi Laurie,
Ohhhh Thank you so much for your
search and this post on your matchbook collection!! : )
I was hoping you had some as I
just love the graphics too. The
Checkered Flag Tavern made me
laugh too. I also, really like
the Christmas and Birthday books.
Your recent glitter purchase is just perfect sitting on top of
your great glitter storage cabinet. It is a fun find.
Hugs & Thank You,
Janis

[Janis]

Laurie, I forgot to mention.......
LOVE the aqua ashtray with the
funny saying on the rim!!!!!
I really like the soft glaze to it.
It looks like Hull or McCoy from
the picture.

Hugs,
Janis

[Into Vintage]

You never cease to amaze me.

Who would have thought there were so many amazing matchbooks made - I especially love the one that's a Christmas card with the candle printed on the matches - no wonder no one used it.

BTW - that ashtray is priceless!

[sandy]

I laughed when I saw your collection today, last summer I was at an estate sale buying some matches from the Seattle Worlds Fair when one of the ladies asked me if I collected match books and I told her not really why? she walked over and picked up a box of match books 11 pounds to be exact and said well these were my dads if you want them you can have them. I had to take them home and I spent days going thru the matches and found so many from business's in my home town, some I remembered some before my time, needless to say a new collection started and the rest were sold on Ebay.