(Editor's note: Thanks again to charter member John Williams (AMCC#0024) for preparing this short bio of an infrequently seen cover type. John based this article on one that appeared in The United, February 1940. This article originally appears in The Front Striker Bulletin, No. 4, December 1992.)

Not to be outdone by other companies placing the striker on the back panel or the end of the matchcover, the Maryland Match Company in 1939 started an innovation by putting a " T " shaped flap on the inside of the pack. The flap was attached between the striker portion of the cover and the matches, and extended up over the matches so that no flying spark or flame could ignite the unused matches in the book when the cover was opened. It was alleged to be safe to strike matches without first closing the cover, a real insurance against carelessness. The Safe-T-Flap also provided additional space for advertising purposes. The Maryland Match Company said in promoting the device, "The Safe-T-Flap is a new and practical safety device bought solely for your protection. Sparks cannot ignite the book in your hand, causing serious burns. Wee hope you like it."

Collectors of the day were presented with a new problem in filing due to the extra length of the cover if the flap was extended in the album. Some collectors solved the dilemma by keeping the covers in tact in the same manner as Feature matches.

(Final note: I am trying to find a good example of this match style. As soon as I do, I will include it in this article.)