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How to Start a Matchbook Collection

Do you have drawer full of matchbooks you've brought home from every hotel, resort or restaurant you've ever visited? If someone picks up one of them, do you dive for it and hand them a lighter instead? You may have the beginnings of a matchbook (collectors call them match "covers") collection. Start with a few basics and you could be on your way to a fun and fascinating pursuit.

Things You'll Need

A few basic match covers to trade

Instructions

Start Your Matchbook Collection
- 1
  Settle on one or two types of matchbooks to collect. You may want to start a general collection at first but eventually you will almost have to specialize due to sheer volume. Believe it or not there are many different groupings, including banks, the military, "dated" (weddings, anniversaries, etc.), tourist attractions, aardvarks and more. For a basic list, go to What Kind of Covers? (see Resources below).
- 2
  Pick up matchbooks. While they are not always on display as they used to be, ask at almost any public business and you will receive an imprinted matchbook. Encourage friends and relatives to bring you covers from wherever they visit. Put specific matchbooks on your Christmas and birthday lists.
- 3
  Buy matchbooks. Check newspapers and trade magazines. Or place an ad yourself in a newsletter or on a collectors' site specifying what kind of matchbook you prefer.
- 4
  Join a collector's club. Club members trade and sell among themselves. Matchcover Club Listings has a list of over 40 clubs (see Resources below).
- 5
  Trade matchbooks. Network among club members and Internet users to find trading partners. Make sure, especially if trading by mail, that both parties understand and agree on exactly what is being traded. Establish a reputation for fairness and honesty.

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