Diamond Match bulletins and matchbook designs
MSS.277
Finding aid prepared by Dillon Wackerman, Pamela Nett Kruger and Mary Ellen Bailey
California State University, Chico, Special Collections, Meriam Library
400 West First Street
Chico, CA, 95929-0295
(530) 898-6342
SpecialCollections@csuchico.edu
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
Box 1
Good-Fellowship Bulletins
1923-1927
Box 2
Good-Fellowship Bulletins
1928-1932
Box 3
Good-Fellowship Bulletins
1933-1938
Box 4
Good-Fellowship Bulletins
1939-1944
Box 5
Good-Fellowship Bulletins
1945-1947
Box 7
Designs, digests and other material
1947-1976
