Matchbooks, one of those many nostalgic signs of the past. There was always a sense of coolness about someone who could successfully raise their cupped hands to their face to light a cigarette on a windy day with just one match. There was a certain machismo or bravado about it, so much in fact that as kids we hoped we could do that someday. And what about those mystery writers who relied on the matchbook left at the crime scene for that vital piece of evidence that always won the case?
Hotels, restaurants, gas stations, product manufacturers, and anyone else who wanted an inexpensive yet effective way to advertise, passed out matchbooks. People collected and catalogued them knowing that someday they would be valuable. Unfortunately, like a lot of collections, you can buy them in bulk at most flea markets. One thing is sure about this particular collection, all that moisture sealed up in the plastic bag will keep the collection from going up in smoke.
Of course, we have since learned the hazards of smoking and have outlived all those cool guys that we admired long ago. In fact, it's hard to find a place where we would even be allowed to smoke. As for needing a match to light a fire, I just reach for the butane lighter and pull the trigger.
Hotels, restaurants, gas stations, product manufacturers, and anyone else who wanted an inexpensive yet effective way to advertise, passed out matchbooks. People collected and catalogued them knowing that someday they would be valuable. Unfortunately, like a lot of collections, you can buy them in bulk at most flea markets. One thing is sure about this particular collection, all that moisture sealed up in the plastic bag will keep the collection from going up in smoke.
Of course, we have since learned the hazards of smoking and have outlived all those cool guys that we admired long ago. In fact, it's hard to find a place where we would even be allowed to smoke. As for needing a match to light a fire, I just reach for the butane lighter and pull the trigger.
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