We had our oldest granddaughter with us over the holidays and she was a big help in organizing our basement. Quite a task I might add! While she was going through box after box of ‘what-not’, she came across a large container filled with old matches. She just stared at them and knowing that we did not smoke, she asked her Papa “what are these for?” He smiled and told her that ‘grandma had bought them at an auction’ and that some were definitely collectible. 
So, we dragged some out and tried to understand just what the mystery was all about. The first ones made this young lady go “EWWWW” because they are rather sexist. The pictures are suggestive, scantily clad young ladies, very mild by today’s standards, but still ‘girlies.’ These are match covers given to ‘good customers’ of various establishments. One was from a Hotel Mack Cocktail Lounge in Milwaukee, another from the K-R Bar and Bowling Alleys, and another from Arthur Hyle (perhaps an insurance rep), all from many years ago. Our favorite was the one with the Halloween theme – with a cute witch with ultra-long legs and high heels. This was advertising for Hudson Service that offered “Gas for Less.” From the phone number of ‘5101′ we confirm it is an oldie too.
Many others we found were souvenirs from vacations. A trip to the Grand Tetons in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, another from Dallas, Texas, Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee, and even one from the Hotel Ambassador in Seoul, Korea!
The national parks even offered matches to visitors. In light of the horrendous forest fires of late, we doubt these were given in recent years! One from the Milwaukee County Parks, another from a restaurant in the Smokies, a colorful book from the Isle Royale National Park in Michigan, all most likely vintage.
Lots of companies got in on the ‘cheap advertising’ these offered. Coors Beer had some, as did Budweiser. 
Also food products such as Hunts Tomato Sauce and a real biggee was S&H Green Stamps!
Banks and other lending institutions actually had bowls of match books in their lobby. We found some from some local banks as well as a Brewery Workers Credit Union. 
These may have been from the days when Milwaukee truly was ‘the beer capitol.’
Even trade unions passed these out. This one is from the AFL-CIO and it brags of ‘50 years of Solidarity.’
Others were also very popular in restaurants – boy wish we could get a good 5 cent cup of coffee today.
Fans of transportation items would probably consider
these to be a cross-over collectible. This one from the American Export Lines shows a ship with a large “E” on its flag and was out of Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore. We also discovered two with an ‘airplane theme.’ One is from Green Bay Aviation, the other from Walston Aviation.
We found one to be quite unusual. It was from the Bakery, Confectionery & Tobacco Workers International Union. You know, the folks that would make cigarettes. They are asking folks to NOT purchase cigarettes. But just the ones who were made by non-union companies such as Winston-Vantage and Salem. What an irony.
If you want to get into an inexpensive collection, here it is! Many of these sell for $3 or less and you can often find groupings or ‘lots’ that go for less per book. Some people like them ‘full’ of matches, others just spread them out so you can view the entire book and show off the graphics. They are small too, so you do not need a lot of room. For information or to join a matchcover collectors club, click these links. You won’t ’strike out’ with this fun collectible.
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July 2nd, 2008 at 4:16 PM
Just moving house and have several hundred new unused match books I picked up traveling the US and Europe in the 1970s and 1980’s, mostly from restaurants but others too.
Anyone interested in making an offer?
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:12 PM
Hans, there’s no way to contact you… If you list them in the community here as for sale, someone might make an offer or message you with a deal
August 12th, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Does anyone have a cash value for a complete set of National Football League matchbooks printed by Universal Printing in St. Louis with helmet logos on cover, name of team on bottom front and nothing inside approximately 1975?
August 30th, 2008 at 6:07 PM
My mother had a picture of her Eyes used on uk bookmatches / box matches in the late 50’s / early 60’s… does anyone have any books / boxes of matches with pictures of eyes on from these era’s ?
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:24 PM
I found matches that were very old – American Folklore Matches – Davy Crockett etc. Do you know anyting about them. They are really in good shape and I feel like I found a treasure!! Charlene
November 24th, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Have a bucket of matchbooks that were collected by my father pre-1979. I have a list if someone is interested in buying them. Send me your email address and I’ll send the PDF file. elliotjc@sbcglobal.net
February 11th, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Anyone interested in 4 large matchbooks..2 BoB Adamicks rest…with Neuman on back..good condition..and two from Imported Patrician Amaretto…
Let us know..Thanks
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:20 AM
I have 2 amtch books with Ronald Reagan and the presidential seal, does anyone know what their value would be?
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:07 PM
John,
Thank you for your interest in my match book posting. While my collection is extensive, I don’t have any political matches of value to compare to yours. I would think they would have a cross-over interest both to match book collectors and political collectors. Might I suggest a search for “Match Books – Ronald Reagan” in your favorite search engine and also selling sites like Ebay, I Collect 24-7 and ohers to see if any are for sale. Our Market Place above has a whats it worth feature to also try.
Good luck, and visit back often.
Val
April 30th, 2009 at 12:59 PM
I have a matchbook with Jerry Garcia and I believe Merl Saunders on the cover inside says, Live at Keystone Merl Saunders, Jerry Garcia, John Kahn, Bill Vitt anyone know anything about this matchbook? thanks
August 4th, 2009 at 1:42 PM
My dad had a very large collection of old match books dating during WWII. Some over seas and of diners throughout the country. My dad has passed away and mom would love to find someone interested in buying the collection. I also have some of them here with me. Please e-mail me for more information. riso@garlic.com
Thank you
Karen
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:57 PM
People that are collecting matches. Or if you are trying to get rid of your collection there are clubs out there that would be able to help you. If you need any more info please contact me. I would be glad to help you out. Maybe you could get bit by the collecting bug and keep your collection.
Thanks
Linda
August 23rd, 2009 at 12:59 PM
This is my email address to contact me from 8/23/09. clavette324@aol.com
October 24th, 2009 at 12:53 PM
A friend has a large collections and a lot of them seem pretty amazing to me, but neither of us has a clue about their worth or even how to market them.
Is there anything like a ‘Price Guide’ for vintage match books and boxes? Or are there reputable consignment dealers I could contact for him? I’m at a loss.
If anyone could guide me in the right direction, I would be very grateful!!! If anyone can help, please e-mail me.
Thank You,
Lisa lisa95959@sbcglobal.net
October 24th, 2009 at 11:32 PM
Hi Lisa, thanks for the interest in my blog and CQ! I wish I could be helpful. We’ve taken boxes of them to a flea market and they get picked over pretty quickly. We try to sell them as a ‘lot’ vs. one at a time. Folks really like anything to do with railroads, brewery or other such advertising, the older the better. Some like them complete, with all matches, others spread them out and display that way. The internet might be a solution – it is hard to say – you might even consider using the Marketplace at CQ. Good luck to you. Val
November 15th, 2009 at 6:12 PM
I have over a thousand matchbooks collected by my grandfather. He traveled the country and they are from all over the US. They have been stored in cigar boxes standing upright in the boxes. They are all sizes, small, standard and then some large ones. There is even one with a little bag of beach sand attached. I would like to have someone take them that would display them or use them in a collection, they are interesting to look through. I can send pictures if anyone would like to make an offer. Thank You, Stan Summers
November 17th, 2009 at 11:26 AM
have millions of old matchbook covers anyone interrested
November 18th, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Hi, thanks for your interest in CQ~and my blog. Why not try selling the collection in CQ’s marketplace? Good luck to you.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Hi Stan, sound like an awesome collection. Why not try to sell them through CQ’s marketplace? That just might work. Val
November 30th, 2009 at 10:30 AM
My father has several hundred old matchbooks from around the world. How can I verify value and/or sell them?
November 30th, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Hi Michael, this is a tough one. I do not know any books on matchbooks with values. In my travels, I have seen them in thrift stores and antique malls and the ones that seem to have value are those that advertise items (Coke, breweries, etc.) not just the name of a location. However, old Las Vegas items might be of interest too – hotels and casinos that are long-gone. You might try listing them on CQ’s marketplace – perhaps 10 at a time with a similar theme. As with any collectible, condition is important. Good luck to you. Val
December 19th, 2009 at 7:16 PM
Yes, do come back – you never know what the community will dig up.
December 28th, 2009 at 11:40 PM
I was in the Panama Canal Zone 1979 during the treaty transition and came home with some of the CZ treaty matches. Are they worth anything?
January 5th, 2010 at 8:25 PM
Hi Myra, I did a little checking with a friend who is into matchbooks and advertising, but he had to plead ignorance. Sorry, maybe another reader can help. Please keep reading CQ – you never know what we’ll find.
February 7th, 2010 at 1:45 PM
I have a world war 2 era wimbley stadium match book. Each match is in the design of an athlete. all of the matches are there. anyone interested.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Hello, I hope you have some luck with this – it sounds so neat! Thanks for reading my blog – hope you continue to enjoy CQ. Val
February 9th, 2010 at 2:20 PM
i just started my collection. i was passed down a lot of matchbooks and would like to know how to figure out there value. can any one help? with maybe a name of a book or something i could get.
February 12th, 2010 at 7:53 AM
Hi, we have not found any books on matchbooks – if there is a CQ reader who can help, we’d appreciate hearing from you. Thanks for reading my blogs and good luck in your search! Val
February 13th, 2010 at 2:36 PM
Just found a back with hundreds of matchbooks that were my dad’s. They date from WWII into early 50’s. Most are either national brands (Valvoline, Vick’s Cough Drops, etc.) or local places central to the Midwest (Nebraska/Iowa mainly). They are in good condition, though a bit dusty after 60 years. Anyone interested? sbrighton@yahoo.com
February 13th, 2010 at 9:42 PM
Hi, sounds like a hidden treasure to me! You might want to list them on our Marketplace. I am not sure of the value, but some are certainly of interest. Good luck! Val