1933 Diamond Matchbooks

[obiwin]

here's an example of what "bob tail" means

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1934-Diamond...item20f8a14d4a

notice how the Paul Collins on the right is missing the striker portion at the top whereas the Orien Crow on the left still has the striker portion intact. The Paul Collins one is considered a bobtail.

and I think "unstuck" was a typo. I think Carl meant "unstruck" as in that the striker portion of the matchbook has not been used to actually light a match, so that the striker portion remains pristine.

Originally Posted by DezHood

Also, Carl or Jeff or others, what would a "mint" matchbook look like? Would it be one that was folded with the matches in it just like they come out of the cigarette machines today?

When Carl says: "Most important thing is striker intact not "bob tailed " and unstuck." - I'm not familiar with the terminology.

[TanksAndSpartans]

Thanks Obiwin - great explanation of what a bobtail is. And unstruck makes sense too, the striker would look like a clean slate if it had never been used. What about the matches and the folds? As a collector, flattened out without matches (safety issue if you have a lot of them?) would seem like the optimal state for storage, but technically one that was in its original state would have the matches.... What's the thought on that?

[Exhibitman]

A Nagurski:



Here are a few Redskins matchcovers:






A later cover for a hair product that I picked up for the HOF boxer:

[obiwin]

I personally prefer them flattened out without the matches. I feel this is the state that is most presentable and easiest to store.

I store them either in 6 pocket pages or 3x5 toploaders.


Whole books in their original folded state with all matches and unstruck panel tend to sell for a premium. But I personally don't like to pay extra for an item that is harder to look at and enjoy.

Originally Posted by DezHood

Thanks Obiwin - great explanation of what a bobtail is. And unstruck makes sense too, the striker would look like a clean slate if it had never been used. What about the matches and the folds? As a collector, flattened out without matches (safety issue if you have a lot of them?) would seem like the optimal state for storage, but technically one that was in its original state would have the matches.... What's the thought on that?

[jefferyepayne]

Originally Posted by obiwin

I personally prefer them flattened out without the matches. I feel this is the state that is most presentable and easiest to store.

I store them either in 6 pocket pages or 3x5 toploaders.


Whole books in their original folded state with all matches and unstruck panel tend to sell for a premium. But I personally don't like to pay extra for an item that is harder to look at and enjoy.

Good points. Matchbooks are one of those items that display better in lower grade (?!). There are other items like that as well but none more so than matchbooks.

I have some of each as well and like them flat too. Plus I always wonder ... if I bump the matchbooks with matches still in them, is it possible it will start a fire? The matches are sooo old you would think not but who knows?

I can just imaging a collector losing their entire collection (or house!) because their minty matchbooks set the place on fire...

jeff

[TanksAndSpartans]

Thanks guys - interesting paradox and Jeff I thought the same thing about the matches - I'd have reservations collecting anything with actual matches.