Old Matchboxes / Antiguas Cajitas de Fósforos / Vielles Boîte d’allumettes

September 28, 2012

Old Matchboxes / Antiguas Cajitas de Fósforos / Vielles Boîte d’allumettes

Filed under: Collections,Old Matchboxes — Sartenada @ 06:27
Tags: Allumette, Antiguas Cajitas de Fósforos, Cerillo, 火柴, Спичка, Etiquetado:coleccionista, Fósforo, Fósforos, Fiammiferi di sicurezza, Fiammifero, Francisco, Kibrit, Lucifer, Luciferboekje, спички, Old Matchboxes, Palito de fósforo, phillumenist, Phillumeny, Philuménie, Streichholz, Streichholzbriefchen, Tændstik, tændstikæske, Vielles Boîte d'allumettes

In English:

Updated on Sunday October 28, 2012 with five matchboxes from Japan.

When I was young I collected matchboxes. My collection of Finnish matchboxes has disappeared, but some foreign matchboxes from y travels I have yet in my home. Oldest are from 1969 Many covers of them are self-explanatory.

The first one gives to me warm memories, but do not ask why. The matchbox cover number 23 showing a cock is from French School in Helsinki.

En español:

Cuando era joven recogía cajas de cerillas. Mi colección de cajas de cerillas de Finlandia ha desaparecido, pero algunas viajes cajas de cerillas extranjeros tengo aún en mi casa. La más antigua cubierta es de 1969 y muchos de ellas se auto explican.

La primera me da buenos recuerdos, pero no me preguntes por qué. El número 23 que muestra la tapa caja de cerillas es un gallo del Liceo franco-finlandesa de Helsinki.

En francais:

Quand j’étais jeune, je collectionnais les boîtes d’allumettes. Ma collection de boîtes d’allumettes finlandais a disparu, mais certaines boîtes d’allumettes de l’étrangères de mes voyages je les ai encore dans ma maison. Les plus anciennes sont à partir de 1969. Nombreuses couvertures d’entre eux sont auto-explicatives.

Le premier donne à moi des souvenirs chauds, mais ne me demandez pas pourquoi. Le nombre couvercle boîte d’allumettes 23 montrant un coq du Lycée franco-finlandais d’Helsinki.

Old Matchboxes / Antiguas Cajitas de Fósforos / Vielles Boîte d’allumettes

Now, when You have seeing old matchbox covers, Check how an Old WW2 veteran made from matches scale models churches during 40 years and I had possibility to shoot photos from them. They are awesome, believe me or not!

Verifique usted lo que el viejo veterano de la 2 ª Guerra Mundial hizo de fósforos. Son impresionantes, me creas o no!

Vérifiez ce que vieux el vétéran de la WW2 fabriqués à partir de allumettes. Elles sont impressionnantes, croyez-moi ou pas!

Church scale models from matches / Maquetas de Iglesias de fósforos / Èglises maquettes d’allumettes

Comments (69)

69 Comments »

Very nice collection, and they are in such good condition! I used to have a collection too but it must have been lost in one of our moves because I haven’t seen it in years.

I remember the Church models and they are indeed awesome!

Comment by montucky — September 28, 2012 @ 07:02 | Reply
- Hello Terry.
  
  Thank You for your comment. The same thing is valid for me. I have lost my stamp collection and old car pics from coffee packages. They were very popular among young boys sometimes in 1950s. I may have yet few of them, but to find them, that’s another question. I am happy that You rechecked and remembered those church models made from matches.
  
  Happy Friday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 28, 2012 @ 07:41 | Reply
Thank you for posting photos of your matchbox collection. It was fun looking at them.

Comment by Deb Platt — September 28, 2012 @ 07:04 | Reply
- Hi Deb.
  
  Thank You. These matchbox covers bring so many memories to my mind.
  
  Happy Friday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 28, 2012 @ 07:30 | Reply
I LOVE your collection, Sartenada, and can just imagine what your Finnish collection looked like. My step-grandma collected matchboxes from all her travels around the world. I’d love to get my hands on that! I especially liked the Hukilau image, since that’s the name of our family cottage in Michigan. And I have even seen the Hukilau beach in Hawaii! 🙂

Comment by Ginnie — September 28, 2012 @ 08:26 | Reply
- Hi Ginnie.
  
  What a coincidence that Hukilau. I remember this trip very well, because it was my second visit to Honolulu to shoot film there.
  
  To start from the beginning, I first flied from Helsinki to New York, then night flight to Lima, Peru having many stopovers. In the morning I arrived in Lima, whole day exploring music shops buying Cumbia-records. In the same day’s evening I took flight to New York again. Changing flight in haste within one hour and direct flight to Honolulu. I remember that it took about ten hours from JFK to HNL.
  
  When finally in Honolulu, I took a taxi from airport and when driving towards Honolulu, the taxi driver looked at me from rearview mirror and asked: “Do You have a hotel in Honolulu” I answered that no, Sir. “You are not rich, he continued”. I answered that no, I am not, Sir. He continued and said that he knows a cheap, but very pleasant hotel and so got that matchbox from Hukilau resorts hotel. This story is true! Thank You for Your comment.
  
  Happy Friday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 28, 2012 @ 13:44 | Reply
You’re very well travelled! Smashing collection.

Comment by Chillbrook — September 28, 2012 @ 08:52 | Reply
- Hello Chillbrook.
  
  Thank You. When I was young I traveled a lot of indeed. My favorite continents were South and Central America. In 1970, I got my son and in 1973, my daughter. Children curbed travelling in our family, but we yet made some trips to South America and to the States.
  
  Thank You commenting.
  
  Have a lovely day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 28, 2012 @ 13:50 | Reply
Fascinating collection, like a trip back through time

Comment by surfnslide — September 28, 2012 @ 10:13 | Reply
- Hi Surfnslide.
  
  It is indeed a trip in time. I am glad that You love my collection.
  
  Have a lovely Day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 28, 2012 @ 14:13 | Reply
Hi!
You are a deep sea or even an ocean. Your ideas will never come to an end, as I wrote to you before, one never expects what your new destination is.
Hussein from Egypt

Comment by hussein Omar — September 28, 2012 @ 13:38 | Reply
- Hello Hussein Omar.
  
  Thank You Sir for Your visit and comment. I like it.
  
  Happy Friday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 28, 2012 @ 14:01 | Reply
What a fun collection! It’s nice to have these souvenirs because they have special memories. You’ve been to a lot of places… 🙂

Comment by megtraveling — September 28, 2012 @ 13:44 | Reply
- Hello Megtraveling.
  
  Thank You. I was lucky indeed to travel. More info You’ll find when taking a look at my About me page.
  
  Happy Friday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 28, 2012 @ 14:04 | Reply
These are wonderful- the graphics, the fonts, and the memories. Thank you for sharing them with us!

Comment by letizia — September 28, 2012 @ 13:50 | Reply
- Hi Letizia.
  
  I am very happy that You did like my “memories post”.
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 28, 2012 @ 14:05 | Reply
What a great idea!

Comment by TBM — September 28, 2012 @ 15:23 | Reply
- Hi TBM.
  
  Thank You.
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 29, 2012 @ 07:20 | Reply
These are beautiful and interesting works of art, not just matchbooks. Who would have thought something as simple as a matchbook could be art? Thanks for sharing this unique collection. I was going to choose a favorite, but can’t. So many are just lovely.

Comment by Minnesota Prairie Roots — September 28, 2012 @ 15:57 | Reply
- Hello Audrey.
  
  I am very glad that You liked my old collection.
  
  Happy Saturday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 29, 2012 @ 07:22 | Reply
Your collection of these matchboxes are telling stories of your travels around the world!
It’s funny how many things people around the world are collecting. I guess we all have been collecting something, sp there must be billions of different collections lying around!!!!

Comment by Truels — September 28, 2012 @ 19:30 | Reply
- Hi Truels.
  
  Yes, it is true what we people collect when on travel. We have collected some beautiful stones. In some countries tourists are not allowed to take “souvenirs” with them.
  
  Glade lørdag!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 29, 2012 @ 07:26 | Reply
I used to love collecting these! Really brings back memories.Hardly see them anymore.

Comment by janechese — September 28, 2012 @ 19:45 | Reply
- Hello Janechese.
  
  I did found all these among our old stuff when cleaning our garret.
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 29, 2012 @ 07:30 | Reply
I used to collect matchboxes but gave up and tossed them in the trash a long time ago. Your collection makes me regret that decision! These are wonderful.

Comment by elisaruland — September 28, 2012 @ 20:13 | Reply
- Hello Elisa.
  
  It happens. Nowadays we people have so many things around us that to store all is everyone’s own choice. So it was for us and I am happy that they were in so good condition on our garret when finding them.
  
  Have a lovely day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 29, 2012 @ 07:42 | Reply
Those are fascinating. I love the Japanese one and of course the one from Hukilau resorts which I don’t think exist anymore.

Comment by kareninhonolulu — September 29, 2012 @ 03:43 | Reply
- Hello Karen.
  
  The first Japanese is real art. Well, it was so sad to read that Hukilau do not exist any more. I guess that You read my answer to Ginnie with long story why Hukilau.
  
  Have a nice day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 29, 2012 @ 07:34 | Reply
Great collections of matchboxes! Wow! Thanks for sharing 🙂

Comment by kam — September 29, 2012 @ 05:58 | Reply
- Hi Kam.
  
  Thank You for Your kind comment.
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 29, 2012 @ 07:35 | Reply
Una colección muy bonita!, me encantan las japosnesas!, besos

Comment by ManoliRizoFotografia — September 29, 2012 @ 08:55 | Reply
- Hola Manoli.
  
  ¡Qué alegría recibir tu comentario agradable! Muchas gracias.
  
  Besitos.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 29, 2012 @ 09:00 | Reply
Fun collection and great art they have on the covers 🙂

Comment by Northern Narratives — September 29, 2012 @ 22:56 | Reply
- Hello Northern Narratives.
  
  I am glad that You liked them. Thank You.
  
  Have a happy Sunday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 30, 2012 @ 07:41 | Reply
What a wonderful collection!

Comment by Roberta — September 30, 2012 @ 02:07 | Reply
- Hi Roberta.
  
  Thank You. I am happy that did find these interesting and beautiful.
  
  Happy Sunday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — September 30, 2012 @ 07:44 | Reply
This is a fine collection you have, it is interesting to see the different designs, some of them almost modern again,

Comment by Giiid — October 1, 2012 @ 14:33 | Reply
- Hello Giiid.
  
  Thank You for commenting. I think that You noticed that Denmark “metallic protection cover” for matchboxes among these all. 🙂
  
  Happy Monday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — October 1, 2012 @ 14:54 | Reply
  - Of course, and I am a also curious to know it´s history, it looks so elegant and expensive.
    
    Comment by Giiid — October 1, 2012 @ 15:02 | Reply
    - Well, I am not sure if we bought it in March 03rd, 1988 or from April 27th, 1995. Both trips were one day visits. First time I visited in Copenhagen in 1962 making the trip by boat (S/S Ariadne) from Helsinki to Copenhagen and return trip to home thru Sweden by train. Last leg again by boat. I have all my trips in Excel-worksheets since 1986, if You wonder how I remember those dates so exactly. 🙂
      
      I remember very well that trip to Copenhagen in 1962. I made it with my best friend. We took a tram from the harbor and we had no idea where to sleep. In those days, I do not know what the situation nowadays is, but then there were benches on trams and people were sitting against each others. On the opposite side were many ladies and they helped us to find night location and to jump off at the correct stop. Thank to them after 50 years.
      
      Comment by Sartenada — October 1, 2012 @ 15:18 | Reply
      - Oh, what a nice story, thank you for telling. I can imagine how interesting it must have been to travel like this, trusting that things would solve in some way or another. That trust is one of the good things of being young. 🙂
        
        Comment by Giiid — October 1, 2012 @ 18:06 | Reply
These matchbook covers are marvelous souvenirs of your travels. I’m glad you’ve been able to see so much of the world. I enjoy traveling, but most of my travels have been here in the U.S.A.

Comment by George — October 1, 2012 @ 18:25 | Reply
- Hi George.
  
  Thank You. I understand You very well after seeing Your great posts. We have been only on Eastern coast and on Western coast of the U.S.A. You country is huge and full of wonders. Many, many years ago I knew the owner of American bookshop in Helsinki. He had a dream to visit every state in U.S.A. With these visits he meant to spend at least one month in every state. Last time when I saw him, he was about to leave for Washington state to drive there five weeks. He said to me that man’s life is too short to know all the states of U.S.A. In my job, I had the boss who spent all his vacancies in the U.S.A. He always said that why to go elsewhere, because there is enough to see in U.S.A. for his life time.
  
  Happy Tuesday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — October 2, 2012 @ 06:36 | Reply
I am certain that each matchbook holds a memory and a story. I enjoyed viewing your collection very much! Janet

Comment by Heart To Harp — October 1, 2012 @ 21:26 | Reply
- Hello Janet.
  
  That’s true. Some matchboxes really hold memories which I never forget, some not. I was not collector, but somehow I got these when on travel. Thank You for Your comment.
  
  Have a lovely day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — October 2, 2012 @ 06:40 | Reply
I also used to collect matchbooks, from 1966 to 1993. When I moved to San Diego from College Station, Texas, I sold a collection of just a little over 55,000 matchbooks. I had people from all over the world collecting matchbooks for me. It was a lot of fun.

Comment by Russel Ray Photos — October 2, 2012 @ 01:46 | Reply
- Hi Russel.
  
  Wow. That’s huge amount of matchboxes. To organize it must have been great job! My oldest matchbox protecting cover is from 1952, but it is in so bad condition that hardly images on it are visible. I got it when in Helsinki we had the Olympic Games in 1952. Nowadays there is a new way to collect postcards. This hobby is called Post Crossing. Thank You for Your comment.
  
  Happy Tuesday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — October 2, 2012 @ 06:46 | Reply
Lovely collection – My father traveled extensively for work when I was young and he always brought home matchbooks…I don’t know what happened to them, but your collection brought back some great memories.

Comment by basildonkitchens — October 2, 2012 @ 01:54 | Reply
- Hi Connie.
  
  I am glad that when seeing my matchbox brought back some memories in You. Thank You for Your visit and comment.
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — October 2, 2012 @ 06:48 | Reply
What an exciting collection. Priceless ,beautiful with a rich history. Each is part of an era with a story that can light up a room…amazingly.

Comment by island traveler — October 2, 2012 @ 11:41 | Reply
- Hello Island traveler.
  
  I am glad that You visited my site, checked this post and left Your comment.
  
  Happy Tuesday!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — October 2, 2012 @ 14:33 | Reply
Very nice and love the crisp photos. It is good you still enjoy your collection. Have a great week!

Comment by Bondseye — October 2, 2012 @ 18:05 | Reply
- Hi Lisa.
  
  I am glad that You liked them. Thank You for Your comment.
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — October 3, 2012 @ 06:33 | Reply
Elle est incroyable ta collection de boîtes d’allumettes ! Certaines sont de petites oeuvres d’art : Japan, Finnland with the dark clover, celles d’Amérique du Sud… que de voyages et de souvenirs. J’ai retrouvé il y a peu de temps une vieille boîte d’allumettes de Moscou: “spichky”. Price : one kopeck 😉 Merci de partager cette belle collection avec nous.

Comment by Isabelle — October 2, 2012 @ 20:15 | Reply
- Bonjour Isa.
  
  Merci d’avour faite ton commentaire. Quand j’étais jeune, j’ai voyagé “beaucoup” vraiment. Je ne les ai pas collectionnées intentionnellement, mais pour une raison ou quelconque, je les ai prises. Je pense que ton trouvaille doit être fantastique!
  
  Belle journée!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — October 3, 2012 @ 07:12 | Reply
What a wonderful collection, and a great way to keep memories alive of places you have visited. The Swan matches brought back memories of England to me, and I love the Danish and Japanese one. I know someone who collects currency notes of all the different places he visits, and I have started to get refrigerator magnets. I wish I had been smart like you and started collecting a long time back. I’m sure you are an inspiration to many. Thanks for sharing.

Comment by luchaniktravel — October 3, 2012 @ 22:56 | Reply
- Hello Davinder.
  
  Thank You. How nice to read that my collection woke memories in You too. When You said the Swan, it aroused to my mind Finnish sailing ship called Finnish Swan (Suomen Joutsen). It is in Turku at Western coast of Finland. I have not made a post from it, but some day…
  
  We have also some refrigerator’s magnets. When visiting somewhere, one should remember to look for them but also who remembers it. This week we did find some old pennants from 1970s which I collected when I was young. They were in the attic and we did find them, when we started to empty it for the move. I do not know if there sold pennants yet in the world. Also we have some key chains from here and there.
  
  It is good if my “collection” gives inspiration to others too.
  
  Have a lovely day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — October 4, 2012 @ 06:56 | Reply
So many designs.

Comment by wordsfromanneli — October 5, 2012 @ 01:31 | Reply
- Hi Anneli.
  
  Thank You very much commenting.
  
  Have a lovely day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — October 5, 2012 @ 06:34 | Reply
Wonderful collection! The first Japanese matchbox’s picture (umbrella and two women) was re-designed from famous Japanese woodblock print by Harunobu Suzuki in Edo period (1725?-1770).

Comment by Myau Myau — October 30, 2012 @ 16:35 | Reply
- Hello Myau Myau.
  
  どうもありがとう.
  
  I am very happy that You commented this post. Now I have an idea about what my Japanese matchbox covers present.
  
  Kyou mo ganbarou!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — October 31, 2012 @ 07:37 | Reply
What a beautiful collection, well preserved and photographed.
Thanks for sharing.
I noticed you did the post in September, thank you for letting me know.

Comment by Tokeloshe — February 8, 2013 @ 22:31 | Reply
- Hello Tokeloshe.
  
  I am happy that You did check my collection and liked it. Thank You commenting.
  
  Have a wonderful week-end!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — February 9, 2013 @ 10:48 | Reply
Hi Sartenada,
Wonderful collection you’ve got.
Now I am writing stories about those well-known local match boxes and post them into my blog. Do visit my blog and comment about them.
wwwyeohongeng.blogspot.com

Comment by Yeo Hong Eng — March 13, 2013 @ 06:53 | Reply
- Hello Yeo Hong Eng.
  
  Thank You commenting my matchbox collection and giving link to Your post. Awesome collection! I could not find where to make my comments.
  
  Have great day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — March 13, 2013 @ 08:02 | Reply
6_Japan 鈴木晴信画 = by Harunobu Suzuki(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_Harunobu)

14_Japan 大銀座祭 = Ginza Festival
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginza)

32_Japan = ?

33_Japan = 青楼芸者撰おはね・おふく　
by Chōbunsai Eishi
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%8Dbunsai_Eishi

34_Japan =
http://ukiyo-e.org/image/wbp/954270234

35_Japan =
http://ukiyo-e.org/image/artelino/15805g1

36_Japan = 喜多川歌麿「難波屋おきた」
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utamaro

I’m sorry, I can’t understand old Japanese(32,33,34,35,36).

There are good collection !

Comment by キース — August 8, 2014 @ 13:57 | Reply
- Hello キース.
  
  Thank You Keithk. I appreciate Your work which You have done.
  
  Have a nice day!
  
  Comment by Sartenada — August 9, 2014 @ 16:08 | Reply
What a comprehensive collection of matchboxes and a real wide range of subjects shown on them! Love to see them and all these different images on them. They are a nice memory of former travels, Matti, aren’t they?^^ Thanks for showing!
-Michèle-

Comment by ladyfromhamburg — August 3, 2016 @ 20:52 | Reply
- Hi Michèle.
  
  Yes. Memories stay in our minds thru photos and collections! I gave to You link to my old post showing what a war veteran made from matches. Thank You.
  
  Happy Thursday. Matti.
  
  Comment by Sartenada — August 4, 2016 @ 07:45 | Reply