
Old Japanese Matchbox designs
In general I like to collect things. It´s not a really practical habit if you are a traveller and moving around the world every few years. I try not to but some how my stuff increases. I collect hats, sugar packets and stamps. These are what I collect consciously. I have no idea what else I collect unconsciously. I collect sugar packets and stamps because of the design. They are disposable. You rip the sugar packet, pour it into your coffee, crumple the packet and that´s it. Not everyone contemplates the design and decides to keep some because of the design.
But there are some people or companies who take time for the illustration, knowing that majority of people just throw it away without even looking at the picture. I find it´s a little sad. Matchboxes are one of them and sadly, I collect them…
Recently I´ve found a page where shows old matchboxes design in the world. I thought it was amusing. I think they are surrealistic and I love them. And here are Japanese matches starting from the early 20th Century.
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There are more. What I see is most of them trying to sell its safety. Animals on the boat crossing the ocean. Or an elephant on a carp´s back travelling the water. Did old match ignite itself? |
These are more recent although they have a retro design. If you look close, each head of the matches has a face. Brilliant!
See? There are people who make a lot of effort to design this. I just hope that people appreciate more even if they decide not to keep them.
I think I allow myself collect them though…
More Japanese designs
So glad I came across this as I too have recently been thinking about vintage matchbox design. I’m a pipe smoker and recently started using matches over the lighter as I think matches enhance the experience. I have some fond memories of one’s available in the UK when I was younger, Bryant & May spring to mind and Swan. Excellent post, even if it was from 6 years ago!