By George Sparacio

An instantaneous flame produced at will was only a dream until 1826, when John Walker, of Stockton-on-Tees, England, invented the first successful match, as we know today. This early match consisted of a wooden splint coated with sulfur and tipped with a mixture of chlorate of potash, gum and sulfide of antimony. The first recorded sale of this match was April 7, 1827. Within a few years, several other matches, invented by various individuals, appeared on the market.

Early matches were dangerous to carry and had the potential to ignite when heated or handled in a rough fashion. To protect the user, matches had to be carried in containers that became known as match safes or Vesta boxes. (The term Vesta box is commonly used in England, while match safes is the preferred reference in the United States.) Some of the earliest match safes were modified snuffboxes with the addition of a striking surface. Independent production of match safes began around 1840, and lasted until the late 1920's. During this period, match safes were produced in enormous numbers, and their design and decoration illustrated the fashions and fads of the day.

Shapes, sizes and designs were practically limitless. Shapes varied from square, rectangular and cylindrical to a wide range of popular and whimsical objects. Today, the most sought after match safes are sterling with enameled motifs; or figural/novelty safes, made in the shape of people, animals and other objects. A number of safes incorporate utilitarian peripherals such as cigar cutters, coin holders, corkscrews, stamp holders, whistles and knives.

The most distinguishing feature of pocket match safes is the striking area. Striking surfaces usually consist of a notched or ribbed surface located on the bottom or side of the container. Some use emery or sandpaper inserts. A few have the striker worked into the design, and some are designed to automatically ignite the match upon removal. Rarely will one be found without a striking surface.

Pocket match safes were manufactured from a multitude of materials. Safes made for the affluent were fashioned in gold and sterling, many being handsomely engraved and/or embossed with elaborate designs, or set with diamonds, rubies or other precious and semi-precious gems. More common safes were silver-plated, nickel-plated, or made of brass or pseudo-silver materials such as silveroin, silverine or sterline. These pseudo-silver materials resemble sterling but are actually made of a nickel alloy. In addition, safes were made of natural materials including wood, ivory, mother-of-pearl, tortoise shell, vegetable ivory, leather, bone and thermoplastics. Some of the most valuable safes today are those of sterling with enameled motifs.

Match safes became a popular advertising and souvenir novelty item during the period from 1890-1915. Early advertising safes were stamped or embossed with information about a product, business or event. The hay-day of advertising safes began in the late 1890's with the invention of celluloid, which offered the added dimension of printing.

Whitehead and Hoag of Newark, N.J., patented this process and became a prolific maker of match safes and other celluloid advertising items. Early celluloid wrapped safes used black graphics, but within a short period of time, multi-colored graphics started to appear. Quality celluloid wrapped safes are in great demand today not only by match safe collectors, but by collectors interested in celluloid and advertising items. The celluloid wrap allowed manufacturers to make an inexpensive original stock match safe, repeating the design and customizing it for the masses.

The commercial need for match safes was eliminated with the invention and popularity of the safety match book, and the invention of the pocket lighter. Match books became a popular advertising media in the early 1900's, and the demand for match safes diminished until their extinction as a modern convenience in the late 1920's.

Today, match safe collecting is increasing in popularity, along with collecting other smoking related items. The publication of a number of books, the popularity of the Internet, several high profile auctions and the formation of the International Match Safe Association (IMSA), have helped to increase collecting interest. Many collectors are generalists and seek any type of safe while others limit themselves to specific areas such as figural, sterling or advertising. Match safes are a popular cross-collectible sought after by specialty collectors. They include people interested in political, beer, golf, sports and any other area of interest imaginable.

The International Match Safe Association, the first club devoted to match safes, was founded in September 1998, by an international group of collectors and experts. The IMSA fills a void in the rapidly expanding hobby. IMSA is a non-profit organization open to anyone interested in match safes. Membership ranks include the novice collector to premiere collectors, dealers and recognized authorities. The IMSA also publishes a quarterly newsletter and sponsors an annual convention. Convention details can be found on the Association's web site.

For more information on the International Match Safe Association can contact: IMSA, PO Box 791, Malaga, NJ 08328-0791, phone (856) 694-4167 or e-mail IMSAoc@aol.com. The IMSA's web site is located at www.matchsafe.org.