Guide to the Santa Barbara Matchcover and Matchbox Collection AR.2020.001
Chris S. Ervin CA
First edition
Gledhill Library
2020-11-15
136 E. De La Guerra
Santa Barbara, California 93101
archivist@sbhistorical.org
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.
Scope and Contents
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.
Biographical / Historical
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.
Arrangement
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
Processing Information
The Santa Barbara Matchcover and Matchbox Collection was processed by Shirley Rouse Roby, Chris S. Ervin CA, and Gina Sheeks
in 2020.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Santa Barbara Matchcover and Matchbox Collection, AR-2020-001, Gledhill Library, Santa Barbara Historical
Museum, Santa Barbara, California.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
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.)
box 1
Matchcovers
Matchcovers Exhibit
Physical Description: 251 Item(s)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Matchcovers
Santa Barbara – Clubs and Hotels
Physical Description: 46 Item(s)
Santa Barbara – Restaurants A-K
Physical Description: 63 Item(s)
Santa Barbara – Restaurants L-W
Physical Description: 46 Item(s)
Santa Barbara – Miscellaneous
Physical Description: 12 Item(s)
Santa Barbara County – North
Physical Description: 17 Item(s)
Ventura County
Physical Description: 15 Item(s)
Los Angeles
Physical Description: 9 Item(s)
Outside of California – Hotels and Restaurants
Physical Description: 29 Item(s)
Oversize
Physical Description: 2 Item(s)
Miscellaneous
Physical Description: 12 Item(s)
box 2
Matchboxes
Matchboxes Exhibit
Physical Description: 82 Item(s)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Matchboxes
Santa Barbara – Clubs
Physical Description: 5 Item(s)
Santa Barbara – Hotels
Physical Description: 2 Item(s)
Santa Barbara – Restaurants
Physical Description: 45 Item(s)
Ventura
Physical Description: 1 Item(s)
Bishop and Mammoth
Physical Description: 8 Item(s)
Miscellaneous
Physical Description: 21 Item(s)
