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Diamond Match bulletins and matchbook designs MSS.277
MSS.277  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Biographical/Historical note
  • Access Restrictions
  • Usage Restrictions
  • Arrangement note
  • Scope and Contents note
  • Related Archival Materials note
  • Preferred Citation note
  • Publication Rights
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition note

  • Title: Diamond Match bulletins and matchbook designs
    Identifier/Call Number: MSS.277
    Contributing Institution: California State University, Chico, Special Collections, Meriam Library
    Language of Material: English
    Physical Description: 2.92 Linear feet
    Date: 1916-1976
    Language of Materials note: English
    creator: Diamond Match Company.

    Biographical/Historical note

    The Diamond Match Company was formed in 1881 through a partnership between the Swift, Courtney & Beecher Match Company of Wilmington (Delaware) and the Barber Match Company of Akron (Ohio). By 1889 the company had expanded, incorporating locations in Connecticut and Illinois. In the following years the company introduced various types of matches, and in 1911-1912 a safety, strike-anywhere, match was developed. During World War I there was a shortage of several ingredients used to make matches, including muriate and potash. In response, the company expanded westwards, developing methods to extract these materials from kelp and salt deposits. The company re-incorporated in 1931 in the state of Maryland. In 1986 the Diamond Match Company was acquired by Diamond Brands.
    In 1902, Ohio Columbus Barber purchased around 60,000 acres of land located about 30 miles northeast of Chico (California) to serve as a lumber mill location for the Diamond Match Company. The manufacturing center of the operation was located south of Chico, in an area to be designated as Barber. As the company struggled after World War I, plant operations across California were cut back. In 1919, the Barber site was re-purposed as a millwork factory. Operations at the lumber mill ended in 1959 and activity at the Barber site continued until the 1970’s.

    Access Restrictions

    Collection is open for research without restriction.

    Usage Restrictions

    No restrictions.

    Arrangement note

    Chronological

    Scope and Contents note

    The collection predominantly contains the Diamond Match Company's Good-Fellowship bulletins from 1923 to 1947, which contain general announcements and news, articles and information on persons related to the company. Also contained are match book design themes, a scrapbook and issues of the company’s digest.

    Related Archival Materials note

    Diamond homes, MSS 041, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.
    W. H. Hutchinson Diamond Match and Lumber Collection, MSS 072, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.

    Preferred Citation note

    Diamond Match bulletins and matchbook designs, MSS 277, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.

    Publication Rights

    The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary property.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition note

    Gift of Ray Lynch

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Diamond Match Company -- History.
    Diamond Match Company -- Matchcovers -- Design
    Diamond Match Company -- Newsletters