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Many newcomers to the hobby of matchbox label or book match cover collecting ask 'What should I collect?'. An impossible question to answer as it is an individual choice.. Here are a few suggestions based on the experiences of some of our members.
I don't know why, but many collectors have built up very good collections of labels and covers with a shipping theme. This topic is well represented by labels and covers produced in many countries all round the world. Our own Bryant & May produced a series based on shipping lines which was printed on the reverse of their well known Ark Label. The Cornish Match company produced many series of labels depicting the various shipping disasters around the Cornish Coast.
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Click here to see more 'shipping' labels
Many collectors, particularly ladies, have specialized on these four topics. There is an endless list of sets of labels produced by nearly all match makers throughout the world. It is impossible to show many varieties but here are a few to illustrate this theme. All these labels were sold in the United Kingdom. Similar sets from overseas manufacturers are just as collectable and are readily available.
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Click here to see more 'Animals, Birds, Fish and Flower' labels
Probably because of the vast selection and ease of purchase, collecting labels of inns, hotels and pubs is a very popular theme amongst collectors in the United Kingdom. These type of label can be separated into three different categories. firstly there is the chain of hotels or inns in which any label from that chain can be sold. Three well known examples are the set of 150 by Scottish & Newcastle, a set of 50 by St George's Taverns and finally the set by Harmony Inns.
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| Secondly there are the labels which advertise a type of beer or ale rather than a hostelry. The Watney's Wall has always been the classic example. |  |
Finally, there is the individual establishment which has purchased their own label matches. The well known labels were examples were produced by Boulden Match Company or Executive Match. Both these companies have produced sufficient labels to warrant collectors producing catalogues of their labels.
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Click here to see more 'Inns, hotels and pubs' labels.
Finally, no list of themes would be complete without perhaps the theme of 'THREEs' which has probably the most collectors at least in the United Kingdom. This theme requires that the word 'Three' appears in the title. the two well known examples are the Three Stars for Sweden and Three Torches from Belgium, but the list is endless. The West & Midland Match Label Society published a catalogue of labels with a threes theme in 1995. Copies are still available. A few examples follow.;
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Click here to see more 'Threes' labels
Last but not least is a list of further themes which members have specialized in over the years;
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If you are interested in either starting a collection or expanding your present collection I recommend you join the West & Midlands. We have members who will be only too keen to help you. Unless you decide to go for unusual or rare items, match label or match cover collecting is not something which requires a large pocket. A very presentable collection is obtainable. Match box collectors hold regular meetings throughout the year. Visit our Latest News page to find the dates for the next meeting.
Please e-mail me your questions. I will try and help.
E-mail Bob Sandoe at : wmmls@tesco.net
