A unique collectible and great marketing item, the hobby of collecting matchboxes, better known as phillumeny is quickly gaining traction among the masses. Acting as a visual record of your travels, the intricate patterns found on their packaging such as those of gods and goddesses, fruits, animals and flowers found in India help one gauge at the past and present of a nation’s culture and society.
Add value to your life by evoking your inner phillumenist with these simple steps:
Types
Given the vast selection of matchbox labels and bookmatch covers available for a beginner to pick from, it can be helpful to start by knowing the various options available out there.
Single-top label: Considered the most popular type of label among collectors, the single-top label features a one-panel label affixed on the top side of a matchbox with either blue or yellow backing paper. This option gains its relative popularity due to the fact that the label is easy to remove from the accompanying box and conveniently mounted in albums for purposes of storage and display.
All-round label: Obsolete in most countries now, this variant is wrapped around the entire box. Sometimes it also appears on the small, circular lid of containers in the name of Pillbox labels.
Skillet: Considered the most common type of matchbox, skillets include matchboxes with designs printed directly on their outer surface.
Packet-size label: Classified into ‘dozen’ or ‘gross’ labels depending on the number of matchboxes they hold, this category is neglected by a certain section of collectors since they are incredibly rare to come by and difficult to mount due to their size. However, another section also considers them worth much more than a similar box-size label due to their rarity and unique quality of holding multiple pieces.
Sourcing
The most authentic way to start a matchbox collection is to simply discover stray pieces abandoned by the side of the road or along your travels. Since each piece narrates a story about its origin, this means of sourcing your collection adds a genuine and personal value to the items. In order to get older varieties, advertising in local newspapers, attending local auctions or visiting local junk shops can get you relatively inexpensive items. Spread a word about your collection among your friends and relations who can possibly help you get in touch with fellow collectors. Online auction sites nowadays also carry a vast range of collectors’ materials for sale at variable prices. However, be sure to study descriptions and images before making a sale online to ensure that the product is genuine and in good condition. Dealers can also help you track obsolete or rare labels but make sure to avoid being overcharged by them by shopping around and keeping a general price awareness.
Collectors’ clubs
Joining a label collectors’ club gives you access to not only people with insurmountable experience in this field but also provides an avenue to build relationships and indulge in purchase and exchange of items. Start connecting with people by sharing pieces from your own collection which relate to others’ field of interest and provide a cover letter to give an idea of who you are, what you want and how you got to know the other person. Remember to offer the other collectors the equivalent of what you want in exchange.
Categorisation
Though the variety of materials to pick from is truly immense, how and what to specialize your collection in is a matter of personal choice and interest. Know the different types of matchbox labels available and curate your collection around certain years, manufacturers, themes, subjects or trademarks. Refer to the vast amount of literature written on this topic to make an informed decision when choosing a stream of interest.
Preserve and store
Never cut any part of the matchbox or bookmatch or remove the match-striking part of the cover. Rather, unfold the pieces at jointing edges, soak the labels in water, remove traces of glue and then mount them flat on paper after drying using peelable hinges. Use a 4-ring binder of A4 size good quality paper and mount pieces only on one side.
Cost involved
Before turning out your pockets on this hobby, give yourself a price limit based on the worth and appeal of the labels you wish to buy. Informal auctions at collectors’ clubs are good means of gaining some valuable additions, but make sure to judge the spending limits of your competition before overbidding on items. Online auctions carry good inventories of desirable products but due to the wider audiences they accommodate, the bidding prices tend to be more expensive as well.
Off-shoot collections
Tracing their origins to the practice of phillumeny itself, collectors have started looking at certain offbeat items as well to add to their collection. Once considered an off-shoot of label collection, covers obtained by removing matches from a bookmatch and flattening them out have now developed into a hobby of their own. Match strikers and containers usually made of brass, china, wood or silver have also emerged as hot collector’s commodities. Rather than just individual matchboxes, collecting complete boxes help display different types of matches and provide a unique insight into their historical use.
Easy, engaging and inexpensive- start your matchbox collection today to stir interesting conversations and bring back fond memories.
