This web site is for collectors of matchbox labels and associated material. It has no connection with matchbox model cars or any die cast models.
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To understand why it is important to consider donating collections rather than selling them, needs the individual whose looking to dispose of the collection to understand the mind set of Matchbox Label Collectors and Historians.

Just because matchbox labels are old doesn’t mean to say that they are valuable.  Towards the late 1890’s and early 1900’s matchbox labels were produced in profusion.  Consequently, their value, even today is a lot lower than most non-collectors would believe.  This is because the true value of any label is set by demand and supply and not supply and demand.  For example, a Japanese Box Label from c1910  would probably have a value of approximately 50p even though it is very nearly a hundred years old.  However, many collectors specialise in specific countries or a running theme.  Consequently, if that 50p label includes an elephant in it’s design and a number of collectors whose themes evolve around elephants need it for their collections, then it is possible that it would sell much higher than 50p as demand is greater than supply.  

Additionally, collectors tend to shy away from collections as invariably many are generic or are comprised of relatively common labels (even though they might be quite old).  Dealers may be interested but they are looking for quick turnarounds and common labels tend to linger.

The number of collectors is sadly deminishing as collecting matchbox labels and associated ephemera is a “dying hobby”.  Unfortunately the term “dying hobby” applies equally to the hobby itself and those who participate in it as, the next generation of collectors appear to be either hiding in the wings or are just not there. 

It is a sad reflection of the heyday when there were swathes of collectors all over the world, match manufacturers working flat out to supply the masses and clubs & societies in various counties within the United Kingdom and countries throughout the world.

Evolution, mass production and numerous inventions have played major roles in the demise of the humble match and consequently the labels that go with them.  This was significantly noticeable in the early to middle 1980’s with the mass introduction of cardboard skillets worldwide.  In the main, paper labels disappeared and direct print cardboard matchboxes took their place.  Many long standing collectors believed these types of boxes to be cumbersome and unwieldy, and therefore declined to collect them.

However, many stalwart collectors have continued in the tradition of adjusting to changing technology.   Regretfully, it is mainly human evolution and corporate greed that has seen the closure of so many match factories and the dwindling production associated with the match.  Over the years things like the introduction of electricity, central heating, smokeless zones, gas lighters and more recently aggressive antismoking campaigns have played their part in the decline of the match.

However, on a positive note, there are still many collectors devoted to the hobby and, are as committed  today as their forefathers were.

For the serious collector and those who collect to enrich their lives by researching the stories or histories behind the label, the monetary value of the label is very much a secondary consideration.   For many of us, the most important thing we always try to remember is that we continue to preserve the rich history that surrounds the whole subject of Phillumeny.  One way of doing this is to give permanent homes to collections of labels no matter how big or small they are.

It is therefore imperative that where possible archivists such as myself continue to rescue collections so that in the future there is a physical historical archive and hopefully dedicated museum that reflects the whole cross section of the hobby.  

Regretfully, many collections have been lost - some through fires, some through wars and most upsettingly, some through ignorance.  Not all phillumenists keep their collections in nicely bound books.  Many have been known to keep their collections in box files or even shoe boxes.

So often I hear that relatives when clearing out the home of a family member after bereavement find an old box with a load of empty matchboxes or the wooden fronts with labels on them.  However, because they were unaware that their relative was a collector, and because they have no idea who to approach in respect of passing them on, they end up putting them in the rubbish bin.  Thus what may be a rare or unique label or matchbox becomes an extinct label or matchbox.

Consequently, if you collected labels and then stopped and now have a collection gathering dust or taking up space, or are a veteran collector of many years and have now reached that period in your life where your time is devoted to other things or your health precludes you continuing with the hobby, then donating your collection is a sensible way of ensuring that it will remain “alive”  for the future.  This is far better than leaving it for a relative to decide what to do with it some time into the future. 

The Sussex Phillumenist Society will become the legal custodian of any donated collections and a signed certificate of acceptance of the donated collection will be given.  Acknowledgment of all donations will be displayed within the pages of this web site and any other web sites associated with The Sussex Phillumenist Society. Additionally, where labels from a donated collection are displayed in any format, acknowledgment  will be made somewhere within that display.

Where labels from a donated collection are duplicated with a previously donated collection, then such duplication may  be made available to other phillumenists and any proceeds used to support the overall care and protection of all the donated collections held by The Sussex Phillumenist Society. 

In the event that there is no individual or organisation available to take control of The Sussex Phillumenist Society on the demise of the current incumbent, the donated collections will in themselves be donated to either a local museum appropriate to the final location of the incumbent or a National Museum if appropriate.

In any event, donated collections will be maintained for posterity and not sold or broken up.

All enquiries relating to collection donations should in the first instance be directed by e-mail to the web master at the e-mail address given in the footer of this and every page of this web site.

Page History:
Uploaded on 6th June 2008

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