Vintage Matchbook Covers

The exterior of a matchbook cover is usually imprinted with a producer’s logo, often with artistic decorations. Matchbooks serve as an advertising or promotional media people in all sorts of businesses. The ease of making match covers of different shapes also made them quite a popular cheap promotional item or anniversary souvenir.

Manufacturing of matchbooks peaked during the 1940s and 1950s, then usage steadily declined because of the availability of disposable lighters and various anti-smoking health campaigns. Recently, matchbooks have begun to regain some of their popularity as a “retro” advertising item, particularly in high-end restaurants and clubs.