Collection Guide
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Santa Barbara Matchcover and Matchbox Collection
AR.2020.001
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Gledhill Library
Title: Santa Barbara Matchcover and Matchbox Collection
Identifier/Call Number: AR.2020.001
Physical Description:
333 Item(s)
Date (inclusive): 1960-1990
Abstract: Phillumeny is the hobby of collecting different match-related items. The Santa Barbara Matchcover and Matchbox Collection
contains over 300 matchcovers and matchboxes of printed advertising graphics, primarily of Santa Barbara area businesses.
Showcasing local brands and late 20th century commercial art styles, this collection is a consolidation of materials from
several acquisitions. A digital exhibit of the two match container types, matchcovers and matchboxes, accompany this guide.
The Santa Barbara Matchcover and Matchbox Collection contains over 300 matchcover and matchbox-related advertising graphics,
primarily of Santa Barbara area businesses, showcasing local brands and late 20th century commercial art styles.
Up until the mid-1990s, when smokers were plentiful, matches had far more utility than they do in the 21st century. Matches
were handy, tiny fire sticks given away by businesses to propagate their brand. Matches allowed people to consume cigarettes
and were therefore lifted from bars, restaurants and hotels by customers with the intent of striking them at a later time.
With the declining number of smokers as well as laws prohibiting smoking in public establishments, complimentary matchboxes
are now somewhat of a rarity.
This collection is organized into 2 series by each type of match container. Within each series, the graphics are categorized
by locale and type of business:
Series 01 – Matchcovers
Series 02 – Matchboxes
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The bulk of the materials were acquired from an unknown donor. Additional matchcovers and matchboxes were contributed by
Shirley Rouse Roby, Jeff Russell, Kathryn Maldonado, and Patricia J. DuBoux
The Santa Barbara Matchcover and Matchbox Collection was processed by Shirley Rouse Roby, Chris S. Ervin CA, and Gina Sheeks
in 2020.
[Identification of item], Santa Barbara Matchcover and Matchbox Collection, AR-2020-001, Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical
Museum, Santa Barbara, California.
Collection is open for research.
Property rights reside with the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact
the Head Archivist of the Gledhill Library.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Phillumeny
Match industry
Hotels
Motels
Restaurants
Country clubs
Banks and banking
Clothing trade
Los Angeles (Calif.)
Bishop (Calif.)
Mammoth Lakes (Calif.)
Santa Barbara (Calif.)
Santa Barbara County (Calif.)
Ventura County (Calif.)