Hi Bill, couple quick questions if I may? First, how do you store feature matchbooks?
This is a very individual thing. Storing is relatively easy, but it also depends on how many you have and how much space is available. Shoe boxes, cigar boxes, long drawer. Place them up/down/up/down, strikers facing one way and not too much pressure. Never use rubber bands. If you have to "group" them, use a 1 inch strip of soft paper.
I love their graphics, however, I know with the matches intact, that could be a fire hazard.
Not so. These are safety matches. If a fire starts nearby, of course, match book will burn.
Of course it is the matches that make features what they are.
Displaying Lion Features is another story. There are several good methods, but all avoid stress or pressure on the sticks or match book itself.
Second, I have trouble making the matchcovers flatten out after removing them. I have put them in a wooden vice overnight, still have covers that raise up a little at folds. I now have them in a weighted book.
New matchcovers flatten easier than older matchcovers. Remember "paper has a memory!" If you are trying to flatten a 50 year old matchcovers, you may not get it completely flattened. Newer matchcovers take about four days with my method. Remember, do not use moisture or any foreign liquid. Don't iron them as extreme heat may separate the match paper from the match backing. Keep working with them. I'm sure you'll find a method suitable to your hobby environment.

Hi Bill, for some reason when I click on the "Members Only" link, type in my ID & password, nothing happens. What is in the 'members only' section and why can't I get in there? Loretta
I am sorry for the inconvenience. I can only attribute it to my inexperience in WebDesign. The problem is now fixed and you can enter the member's only section. You could equate this section of the site to the old hard-copy bulletin which I used to publish. Back issues will be available soon on line. Members paid $20 for the bulletin, but costs and other factors caused me to stop publication. I went online with the club and filled the member's only section with content reserved for the old hard copy bulletin. Hope this helps.

This is the description as it appeared in a recent eBay auction listing.
This match book is from M.J. Knoud and advertises Hunting, Polo and Show Saddlery. Colorful drawing of a rider with hounds on the front. The saddle says: Phone REgent 4-7995. The inside is blank. This match book is MINT & UNSTRUCK, with the matches retained. You are viewing both sides of the ONE match book in this auction. It probably dates from the late 1950s or 1960s.

A letter to the editor stated: Hi - just thought you'd like to know that this matchbook is MUCH older than the 50s. My great uncle, Michael Knoud, came over to this country at the turn of the century, worked a few years as a saddler for an existing company in NYC, then opened his own shop on Park Avenue at 59th St. In 1912, he moved the business over to Madison Avenue and 63rd St., where it remained until it closed in 1991. When he moved, the REgent phone number was changed to a TEmpleton exchange, so you can date this matchbook as pre-1912.
Thanks for writing. I usually don't disagree with anyone unless I've done the research. The manumark on this match book is a post 1936 company marking. Anything prior to 1920 would have a wide striker with irregular borders. I have a few dozen from that period and they all have the same look. Also, the short match book was developed after WWII in answer to the demand for cigarettes in this country. Prior to WWII, this was a cigar/pipe smoking country. Anything prior to 1936 would be taller by at least 1/4 inch. This is definitely not a tall match book.

Always a pleasure to help a newbie. One of the most frustrating things I have found about e-mail communication is the fact that replies do not have the original e-mail as reference. Everyone wants to start with a clean page. In my case, I answer several hundred e-mails weekly, and can't possible remember who said what and when. By leaving the original (or series of questions and replies) at the top of your e-mail, the recipient can view previous communication and won't have to search mailboxes for previous comments or thoughts.

Despite the fact that I am a web head and a borderline computer geek, I will miss the Newsletter. Having said that, I understand and support what you have done. Also, my compliments on the web site. Great job so far! Keep it up! Glen

Thank you, Glen. It was a difficult decision to move totally to the web, but I'm only one person and the pressure to get a bulletin out was becoming overwhelming.

Bill, Received the bulletin. I understand you're going to the computer, sad to say I don't have a computer so I will drop out. Maybe at a later day things may change and I will join again. Sincerely, Tommasina M. Jordan
Any time you wish to get back into the club, your membership extension will be applied for full credit. Thanks for your support.

Bill, I'd like to stay a member of AMCC but I don't have a computer. So I guess I'm saying I don't know what to really do. I'd like to continue to receive the movie single. Bette Anderson
We've had a long collecting friendship, but this decision had to come. I regret losing such loyal members such as you.

Bill, This July 4th will go down in history as being a glorious day as we again celebrate the birthday of our Independence. However, it also is a sad day for me because I have to inform you that I won't be able to continue my membership in any form in the AMCC. Even though I haven't been able to take a more active part in the club, I now have mixed emotions as you establish a new format. I can certainly understand the necessity for this change as the computer age continues to change our life styles. I have enjoyed being member #0740 and the benefit of your vast knowledge imparted in The Front Striker Bulletin. Please accept the small carry over amount (from my membership) as a gift to the club. The club needs your driving force and the continued benefit of your expertise. I want to take this opportunity to wish you yours much continued success in your chosen fields of endeavor. Edward J. Hickey
Thanks, Ed. I wish it didn't have to be but I'm one person and couldn't do both a hard-copy publication and an online club. I'll never forget your support.

Goodbye Bill, It was nice knowing you. I have sight in one eye, enough to read the bulletin and to strip matches for John once in a while. If I read right from now on I will have no bulletin to read. Wish you well in what you are planning to do. You have no idea how I miss going to matchcover meetings. I can't drive so have to depend on someone for everything. Dorothy Williams (AMCC#0004)
Your note brought a tear to my eye. I, too, enjoyed our friendship through the years.

Bill, I was very disappointed to hear that the club is moving to the Net, because that means I can no longer be a member as I do not have a computer so it is with regret that I have to say Goodbye! Do you mind if I write to you from time to time. Best wishes, Victor Kitching, Yorkshire, England
Thanks for your note. This has been difficult all around, but something that had to happen eventually. Of course I will be here to answer questions or whatever when you write. You may not be able to be a member of the club, but you'll always be a friend in the hobby.

Bill, Sorry to see the hard copy of the bulletin disappears. I suspected this to happen sooner or later. Over the years, I have enjoyed The Front Striker Bulletin and looked forward to receiving each issue. I have all the copies since I joined and they are a great reference. I'll miss the information and auctions but I understand what you must due. Good luck with the online club. Norman F. Sieh
Thanks for your gracious words and thoughts. I am making back issues of the hard-copy bulletin available at the site as soon as I can get to it. Someday, your issues may be worth something.

Bill, Sorry to say I am a computer illiterate and do not have a computer. Also, sorry that the bulletin will come to an end. Lots of luck with your new venture. Dr. Edward Novick