strike a match

a little a bit ago andy over at reference library highlighted a salesman sample. a miniture version of an actual product sold. i have enjoyed these little jewels, whether on the antique road show or in an antique magazines. i don't own any of these wonderful miniatures but I have often bought salesman's tools. by that i mean, a brochure, booklet or card which highlights the wares to be sold. here is a wonderful example of a salesman booklet of japanese matchbox labels. my guess is this booklet is from around the second world war. i am not an authority on matchbox labels but i fell in love with each one of these little drawings. each a painting with a story. matchbox labels and the field of collecting is called phillumeny. an odd name and from my readings not accepted by all collectors. although i do not participate in seeking out any particular category of matchbox label, i am seduced  by the wonderful artwork and the repetition of the labels on the page. i have included a few more pages from a collection of labels that i bought from the same dealer. enjoy.

Tags:collectionstypographyseries