Cuban Baseball Matchbox Octavio Rupert Questions

These are the only Cuban Matchboxes that I have seen. This one I purchased in the early 90's at a Flea Market in NJ with the tax stamp still attached

[aelefson]

Thank you both! I agree with you Jason that it is homemade. I took better scans (see below) and it does look like the picture fits poorly to the box but as you pointed out, it was probably done innocently long ago. Rgpete, that is a really cool box and I love that you found it at a flea market!

Alan

[kitsula]

These are called Fosforos and are a Cuban issue from either 1951 or 1952. They are exceedingly rare. I travel to Cuba often and have only found them once: a lot of 60 or so. Hoyt Wilhelm is in the set and this makes it his "rookie" card. He played for Havana.

[aelefson]

Interesting. Thank you Kitsula! Do you have any pictures of others from the series?

Alan

[Exhibitman]

Matchboxes were adorned with images of celebrities for decades. Here are a few Cuban boxers on matchbox panels from the 1920s:




Here's one of silent movie stars: