I wouldn't say that I collect them, but I have a container about the size of a bread box with packs and boxes from interesting places I've been. It's fun to dig through and find something from many years ago. There is no rhyme or reason, and I don't smoke or light candles or incense, so I really have no idea why I still keep them. I think the last addition was from a golf course in Hawaii about 15 years ago.
Lars
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"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."
Collectors of matchbook covers are called phillumenists. They say that stamps are a dying hobby but matchbook collecting is definitely dead. Smoking has been on a steep decline for decades and fewer and fewer business are printing matchbook covers as advertising. As more and more establishments ban smoking from their premises, it gets difficult to also hand out matches.
The phillumenists of Northwest England has only had 114 hits since 2005!
http://nwp.phillumeny.com/index.html
This was a neat hobby. I've purchased a couple of box lots of these to piece out on eBay. Anything auto, motorcycle or mechanical themed can bring a premium as well as little towns off the beaten path. Covers with pinup girls are always popular as well.
Harvey I think, therefore I am - I think! 23 May 2019 03:56:39pm
re: Matchbook Covers
I sort of collect match book covers from my home area - Halifax NS. It's fun to look at the old businesses that are not there anymore. A friend of mine collects post cards from Queens County NS - it's hard to imagine, but he has more than 1000! Both postcards and match book covers are great for looking back at the history of your area.
Like other here I have matchbooks from places we went and our favorite restaurants.
Back in the last century, my wife and I would meet good friends of ours at the Southern House Restaurant in Point Pleasant, NJ. It was about midpoint between our homes and had the best ribs in New Jersey! We wouldn't dare go there in the summer, but the restaurant catered to locals all winter long.
We were there one Saturday night and along with our bill they gave us a "buy one dinner, get one free" coupon that was good for a month. We vowed to meet there again to use that coupon. Well, it wasn't to be! A few hours after we left, the restaurant burned to the ground! The owner never rebuilt.
I have the matchbook (think of the irony there), the coupon and our receipt from that last visit all together under glass in our memory table! I still compare ribs against theirs!
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