Thanks for writing. Matchcovers and match boxes are, for the most part, two different hobbies. Most collectors hold both, but match boxes are primarily a European collectible, while matchcovers are found mostly in the U.S. & Canada. My suggestion to you in regard to listing on eBay is to check out my listings and those of others selling matchcovers and get an idea of the listing format. Put up a few at a time and get a feel for eBay. Depending on how much time you have to devote to it, you may be surprised. Keep me posted. I'd be curious to see how you do. If I can be of further assistance, let me know. (ed5801)

Could you tell me what is safe and legal way to ship matches? Jeff

It depends on the shipper. USPS uses their DMM, and I'm sure UPS and others have similar manuals. As far as packing is concerned, use your own common sense. Remember, if you wish to retain the value of any paper collectible, condition is the primary concern. Hope this helps. (ed5802)

Bill; If I'm winning bidder, can you put the matchsticks back in? I like to carry them in the gloveboxes of my old Buicks. Thanks, Dave

Thanks for writing, Dave. I rarely take them out and never put them in. (Sounds like a line from a movie.) If you find a comb set (a hobby term for the rows of sticks) that fits, it will be your matchcover and you can do what you please. (ed5803)

Hello, Just a note to let you know that I received the 7up item that I purchased from you on eBay. I will be leaving positive feedback. I hope you do the same if you were pleased with the transaction. I would also like to know how you get your matchbooks so neatly pressed. Mike

If a match book is properly stripped and flattened early in its life, it can be made straight as a board. Methods vary from collector to collector, but most use some kind of pressure. When I do strip matchcovers (which is rarely and never anything old), I place them back to back, belly to belly, making sure strikers do not collide. I have a sliding file draw which places pressure on the 50 to 200 I press at one time. Newer matchcovers (post 1965) flatten in about two days to one week. Older matchcovers take longer due to paper thickness.

In the 1940s, when the older generation flattened matchcovers, various pressure methods were used. I once met a collector who used a bench vice and claimed that he could flatten a caddy (50 at a time) in 10 minutes. Unfortunately, the striker material had a tendency to adhere to the next matchcover in line. He ruined thousands. Hope this helps. (ed5804)

I was fascinated by the Old South Church matchbook I bought from you. Was that part of a series - are there more churches included - is it in your matchcover price guide? Mike

The Educational and Souvenir Series are very large. Diamond Match invented both during the Group I period, just after the Great Depression, when traditional commercial buyers didn't make the large match book orders. They were sold in 5/10 cent stores for a penny. I don't know of a complete list of all the match designs in those sets. I have several hundred flattened matchcovers and about 100 full books, but they are hit and miss. Hope this helps. (ed5806)

Nice site! I lost over 350,000 covers in over 100 albums in my divorce back in 1988. My ex burned most of the albums in the fireplace and removed the remnants as sort of a visual aid to let me know what was left of my collection. Anyway.... I'm starting all over so that my kids from my present marriage can also enjoy the hobby as I did when I started some 42 years ago with my Dad. I figured the 'net was a good starting place and came upon your fine site. I will be back...thanks! Dan

Ouch! Depending on the quality and age, she also burned up a small fortune I'm sure. Matchcovers have become a popular investment with many serious collectors of all kinds. Hope you build up again quickly. (ed5807)

Bill, Is a full, unstruck matchbook worth much more than an unstruck cover? Jim

Jim, Thanks for writing. This is one of those questions that has different view points, depending on who you talk to. In general, I would say "Yes!" However, there have been situations in which a matchcover was the only form available. For example, during WWII, several U.S. Navy ship matchcovers were distributed only as matchcovers and never seen (within the hobby) as full books. This was probably due to distribution methods, as flattened matchcovers would easily be sent through the mail at the rate of 10 matchcovers for a first class stamp, which was 3 cents in those days. Certainly, if you had a mint condition Diamond Quality match book placed next to a mint condition Diamond Quality matchcover, the preference (regarding value) would be the full book. Remember, a large number of the collecting pioneers in this hobby stripped out the match sticks because they were afraid of fire. In the 1930s, careful mothers traditionally cut off the striker, sticks and butt end of the matchcover rendering it a colorful piece of paper. Known as "bobtails," they have no value. Hope this helps. (ed5808)

Please excuse this basic question. I am new to matchbook collecting. Should the matches be removed or does this devalue the unit. Please respond to this, as I am confused. Thanks, Joe

The question is larger than you think. It would take me 20 minutes to type a complete answer and I just don't have the time right now.
1. Check my WebSite (see below) for some help.
2. My Price Guide on collecting matchcovers has a lot of good information, too.
3. Matchcovers or full books are a very personal choice.
Maybe a phone call could solve your dilemma. Good luck. (ed5701)

Good morning to you in North Carolina! Bill, I have just started to inventory all of the girlie matchbooks that I have been buying and I am finding out that I don't have any clue as to what I have. I know that there are some names that seem to be important, Petty, Elvgren and Thompson, but beyond that I don't know much. I have the some questions and maybe you can help.

1. Is there much importance to the maker of the matchbook cover (i.e., Superior, Mercury, Matchcorp of America, or Universal)?

Each company purchased their own designs for their stock matchcover sets. Some sets were named for the company, (i.e., SMC Live Models, stands for Superior Match Company Live Models). Some are tagged by the artist, and others by country (i.e., Canadian Girlie Sets have about 15 or 20 different.)

2. I assume that if a certain girlie pose with the cute little saying is copywrited to that artist, and if I see the same picture with saying on a different advertiser then I can assume it is by the same artist?

Yes! Prior to 1933, companies stole from one another with a vengeance. There were no rules or laws. This practice continued after 1933 with exceptions and alterations.

3. I have noticed the signature of Petty and Thompson, but how do I tell if it is an Elvgren, I can't find a signature anywhere. I have some other covers with a signature that I cannot read.

I guess you just have to get used to the look of an Elvgren matchcover girlie. (See below.)

4. I was bidding on a baseball schedule matchbook and the seller referred to Retskins as a source of valuation is that you and if so how do I find that book.

I am Bill Retskin (singular), and my book is at the club WebSite www.matchcover.com. I autograph copies as I receive the orders. I accept CC#, PayPal or your personal check. See the site for details.

Thanks for your help and time in answering these elementary questions from this novice in St. Louis. Phil

Write to: Bob Borton, 2583 Wexford Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43221. He is the secretary of the Girlie Matchcover Club. Tell him I recommended that you contact him. (ed5702)

Have you ever heard of I like Ike cigarettes used for his campaign? If you could tell me any history on these I would appreciate it very much. Thank you, Dorothy

Don't have a history on campaign cigarettes, but like matches, they were probably used mostly at the national level (after all, national campaigners had the bigger $$). Matches alone were used for every political office from U.S. President to Dog Catcher. Probably, cigarette packs weren't used much after Kennedy as awareness about smoking hazards became common knowledge, but matches continued up to the George Bush White House. Clinton didn't have any matches, either as a campaigner or in office and it is unlikely that their past popularity will be resurrected with any future U.S. President. Hope this helps. (ed5703)

I must be from the Old School. But what ever happened to the display cases you would hang match books (unflatened still with matches) on rows of wires? The wires were in a wood frame that could be hung on the wall. Let me know. John

That is still done, but not with wire. Believe it or not, the weight of the match book will eventually cut the matchcover paper. Better to use strips of 24# paper or very light cardboard. The stripe should be just under the height of the inside back wall of the match book. In that way, the cardboard absorbs the pressure and paper usually won't hurt paper. Hope this helps. (ed5704)

Hi Bill, I am looking for somewhere to buy wooden sticks by the case (No heads, just the sticks) I am wondering if you might help me. I cannot find any manufactures on the net. That is strange... Bill

I haven't the foggiest. Never had that request before. You might contact Diamond Brands in Minnesota (I think). Surely, they are on the Web. They may be able to help. Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance. (ed5706)

Dear Bill, Please explain mature collections, we are new at this. We expect to start selling matchcovers and match books soon. Thank-you, Donna

Sure! Mature matchcover collections are those that were intended to be collections when started. Not casual accumulations of attempts to fill brandy snifters or fish tanks or the discards from a chain smoker. Usually categorized in commercial matchcover albums, other forms of storage were acceptable, such as cigar & shoe boxes or map draws. The idea was to collect and preserve. Hanging from a string across a recreation room wall or set in a frame as a wall decoration frequently ruins the match book or matchcover as a collectible. Remember, only about 50% of the match books ever made were considered collectible, and less than 5% of that number has any value today. Hope this helps. (ed5708)