by Pat Griffiths

(Editor's Note: Pat Griffiths (AMCC#0478) is a dynamic collector, full of life and always willing to write an article for the FSB. He brings a fresh approach to collecting and I hope you enjoy his work as much as I do. This article was originally published in December, 1992.)

The origin of Disc Matches have been attributed to both the United States and the United Kingdom, however, I would venture to place their beginnings as British. The literature gives firm evidence that they were being used in 1928 a point I will get back to later.

In the United States, I have seen items issued during WWII by the Unit Match Corp, one showing a U.S. Airman with the wording "Support our fighting servicemen". Another in my collection is the following:

"Help those who still hope to help themselves," showing a map of Poland. The inside wording reads, "He that saves one life save the world." It continues, "Send your contributions to the American Federation for Polish Jews, 225 West 34th St. N.Y.C." and the phone number "BRyant 9-9732."

Both were manufactured by the Unit Match Corp. of Elizabeth, N.J. Unfortunately, a letter to the local Elizabeth New Jersey library, written last August, has to date brought no reply as to any history relevant to this company.

I would be interested to know if any local collector can dig up some information regarding when this company was in business. I am also always interested in other Disc Matches that may be available from collectors.

So far, I have not described what a "Disc Match" is so I will refer to a reprint from the English publication "The Tabacco Year Book," 1928. It states that there are 54 safety matches cut in a disc, which revolve in a container of Metal, China, or Glass.

The U. S. variety came in cardboard containers. Each container held 10 discs, which is equal to a dozen boxes of ordinary matches. It should also be noted that the English issue of that time was called "DISK" Matches, and were produced in numerous designs from those suitable for luxurious apartments, to those that hung on the wall by the cooker.

The advertisement for the British "Disk" matches printed by the British Booklet Matches (1928) Ltd., New River Works, Brentfield Road, Willesden, N.W. 10 London.

Obviously you are not going to find the United Kingdom variety anywhere else but in an antique shop. I expect with his massive collection, however, Bob Jones (now deceased) of Indiana, may have one of those early 1928 items. Although I would dearly like to add one to my collection I would be satisfied to obtain any later WWII U.S. varieties.

How about it? Have you seen or know of any of these Disc Matches from New Jersey?