Would you give 10 bucks for this ???

[tamrock]

I did. It's like 3 or 4 ? pounds of unstruck matchbooks. They're from all over and all kinds places. I was think'n, who offers free books of matches these days

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

How to Research for Treasure Hunting and Metal Detecting From Lead Generation to Vetting - Grab it through Amazon!

[vpnavy]

Just for the heck of it I did a search on "matchbooks" on good ole EBay. I got 125,092 hits!

 

[tamrock]

The sold listings for a single book is
1 cent with free shipping R4200 A Red Windmill Vintage Matchbook | eBay

to

$1025.00 for one that's rare Old Coca Cola Matchbook Circa 1910 1912 Unused RARE | eBay

 

[old digger]

Did you try to barter for a lower price? Nowadays everyone uses a lighter, less worry lest paper matches get wet.

 

[Baltimore]

check to see if any of them say "close cover before striking", at some point in the 60's I think they moved the strike strip to the back for safety's sake, but the older ones had it on the front, hence the warning. I'd say research, then lot them up into similar subject matter. Not worth your time doing 1 by 1 IMO.

 

[Tallone]

A few years ago I bought a large bag of old matchbooks with some dating back to the 1930s. I learned a good bit about these after I bought that bag. Matchbooks are highly collectible but, like most things, the really valuable ones are very rare. Because there is such a large variety of matchbooks, serious collectors tend to specialize in particular styles or themes of matchbooks. I'm at work right now but I'll try to remember to post some pictures of the most popular types of matchbooks. As always, condition is very important.

 

[tamrock]

Did you try to barter for a lower price? Nowadays everyone uses a lighter, less worry lest paper matches get wet.

No dickering was done on these. I got them at a local antique store. I asked the owner what she was asking on the matches. She, said I'm trying to get 25 cents each and then asked if I wanted to make an offer on all of them. I said IDK, you tell me what you'd take for all. She said 10 buck and now they're all mine. I guess I won't be out of matches for a good while.

 

[tamrock]

check to see if any of them say "close cover before striking", at some point in the 60's I think they moved the strike strip to the back for safety's sake, but the older ones had it on the front, hence the warning. I'd say research, then lot them up into similar subject matter. Not worth your time doing 1 by 1 IMO.

Your correct about the change on the strike strip. I don't remember when they did that, but I do remember the change. It was good while when you saw both front and back strike strips offered. I recall pulling a match off and striking the front and it not lighting. You'd say what the heck and look to find the strip is on the back.

 

[tamrock]

A few years ago I bought a large bag of old matchbooks with some dating back to the 1930s. I learned a good bit about these after I bought that bag. Matchbooks are highly collectible but, like most things, the really valuable ones are very rare. Because there is such a large variety of matchbooks, serious collector tend to specialize in particular styles or themes of matchbooks. I'm at work right now but I'll try to remember to post some pictures of the most popular types of matchbooks. As always, condition is very important.

Cool!.... I'm thinking these are from maybe the 60's to the 90's...I'm on the road and I wanted to take them with me this trip and sort through them in the motel, but forgot to bring em. It seems these could sell in pieces between 49 cents to maybe 3 or 4 bucks each, pending on the subject. They are like I said, almost all unstruck condition. There are adds of Beer, Cigs, Casinos, Restaurants, Bars, Cafes, Strip Clubs, Auto shops etc. in the lot. Who ever collected these either got around or they were given to them by friends from various places ??.

 

[ARC]

Tamrock... You are now officially a "prepper".heh

 

[VERDE]

Hey tamrock!! At least you won't freeze to death!! He He!! Hope you're well!! Anyway, GOOD HUNTING and GOOD LUCK!! VERDE!!

 

[Tallone]

I found my matchbook photos. Here are a few examples of some of the most collectible categories:

Features: "Feature" books have text on the sticks or some other unusual attribute. The most valuable book I found in the large bag I bought was this one:



This one not only had text on the sticks but it has the pop-up cutout on the inside. It also has a reference to WWII war stamps which I'm sure added to the value. I don't remember exactly but I think I got about $25 for that one book.

Contours: These are books that don't have the standard rectangular shape. I only found two of these in my bag.



Girlies: I'm sure you can figure out why collectors call them that. I sold the group below for about $15 I think.



Billboards: These have a single graphic that fills both the front and back covers - often on the inside as well. Here is one example:



These are just a few examples of the categories people collect. Hope that helps a little.

 

[diggummup]

I did. It's like 3 or 4 ? pounds of unstruck matchbooks. They're from all over and all kinds places. I was think'n, who offers free books of matches these days

I wouldn't have. Only because I already have a few pounds of them though. I guess $10 was okay since it was from an antique shop. Hopefully there is something in there to make it worthwhile. Here is a good little read on matchbook collecting. Note the statement about the removing actual matches themselves. Vintage Matchbooks - Collector Information | Collectors Weekly

 

[tamrock]

I wouldn't have. Only because I already have a few pounds of them though. I guess $10 was okay since it was from an antique shop. Hopefully there is something in there to make it worthwhile. Here is a good little read on matchbook collecting. Note the statement about the removing actual matches themselves. Vintage Matchbooks - Collector Information | Collectors Weekly

I know I did think why would I want these, but it was one of those "what the heck" impulse buys. Who knows, I did find that some later made match books can sell in the 2 and 3 dollar range, but I'll most likely find them useful in a trade deal or something like that. Interesting link on matchbook collecting.

 

[tamrock]

I found my matchbook photos. Here are a few examples of some of the most collectible categories:

Features: "Feature" books have text on the sticks or some other unusual attribute. The most valuable book I found in the large bag I bought was this one:

View attachment 1154551 View attachment 1154550 View attachment 1154552

This one not only had text on the sticks but it has the pop-up cutout on the inside. It also has a reference to WWII war stamps which I'm sure added to the value. I don't remember exactly but I think I got about $25 for that one book.

Contours: These are books that don't have the standard rectangular shape. I only found two of these in my bag.

View attachment 1154558

Girlies: I'm sure you can figure out why collectors call them that. I sold the group below for about $15 I think.

View attachment 1154560

Billboards: These have a single graphic that fills both the front and back covers - often on the inside as well. Here is one example:

View attachment 1154564View attachment 1154565

These are just a few examples of the categories people collect. Hope that helps a little.

Thats pretty cool collection Tallone... Who would have ever thought folks would ever start paying for matches. I recall one time in the 80s in Texas at a convenience store asking for matches and they said they where 3 cents a book. I was like "WHAT" I have to buy em now.

 

[Tallone]

I didn't keep any of the matchbooks in the bag I bought. I sold a few individually or in small groups and then sold the rest as a large lot. I didn't make a lot of money on the deal and it was definitely a lot more trouble than it was worth. I wouldn't buy loose matchbooks again at any price unless there were a whole lot of special books such as the ones I described above. My answer to your initial question then would be: No, I would not have spent $10 for that bag of books.