Matchbox Labels: Over 2,000 Elegant Examples from All Over the World

Collecting matchboxes is growing in popularity. This reference book features 2.400 of the best from around the world chosen for their charm and beauty. An introduction gives history and collecting suggestions. Of interest to artists and designers as well.

2.400 miniature masterpieces.

A matchbox label collector is called a phillumenist. But you don't have to be one to love these tiny works of art. The popularity of collecting matchboxes is growing because they are affordable and a joy to look at.

Matchbox Labels features 2.400 of the best specimens, chosen for their charm and beauty. The matchbook labels are organized geographically, sorted within each group by theme, and captioned with insightful text.

The book covers selections from: ScandinaviaEuropeEastern EuropeRussiaSouth East Asia, China and JapanIndia and PakistanGreat Britain and North America.

The labels range from minute works of socialist realism from the former USSR to marvelous naive animal and bird pictures from southern India and sophisticated graphics and illustrations from Japan.

A brief introduction offers a concise history of matchbook art and provides helpful advice on how to start, gather and organize a collection of your own.

Matchbox Labels is an eye-catching and fascinating reference for art lovers, designers and collectors.