GEORG JENSEN MATCH BOX

[ARGENTUM49]

MATCH BOX

GJ hallmark 1933-1944

Early matches (strike-anywhere matches) were unreliable and could be ignited by striking against any rough surface.
Early vesta cases had ribbed surface made of metal attached without soldering to the bottom of silver cases - steel cannot be soldered to silver. Later safety matches could be struck only against a specially prepared surface. The striking surface was inserted at the top of match boxes and was replaceable. A collector of vesta cases and match boxes claimed to me that permanent striking surface (ribbed metal, stone) had been inserted. Still, there are no match boxes with any kind of permanent striking surfaces: all have distinctive appearance — i.e. a shallow part at the top where replaceable striking surface was inserted. Furthermore, there are two features indicating flexible replaceable striking surfaces - the rim in all match boxes that would prevent insertion of any inflexible striking material and also two holes to help pushing out already worn striking surface from inside. There were many different shapes and sizes of match boxes (rectangular, oval), having been impossible to make any standardized shape of striking surface. Most probably, they were sold in rectangular shape - a bit larger than any match box and then cut by the owners to fit their particular match — box. Unfortunately, the generation that used those match boxes passed away and no information is available. If they existed and used the way I propose - they are impossible to find.Quite easy to understand, who would keep them for decades ?

The question: what did striking surfaces look like and what they were made of? Have you ever seen those striking surfaces ?

[Postnikov]

Hi Ivan -

I know 2 kinds of striking surfaces: the one shown is made of a thick carton in a special pattern, with a similar surface as today matchboxes. the second is a rubberlike material in which little sandlike objects are included - but it dries with the time and fall out - so only a fiew have survived. My little box is fromm Tallinn/Estonia from the year 1932.







Regards
Postnikov

[ARGENTUM49]

It was a real mystery to me. You are the first one to know about it.Even the collectors of ``Tobacciana`` did not know anything about it. One thing is for sure: it had to be replaceable, because any permanent striking surface made of ribbed metal or stone, as suggested by some, is simply not logical — the very design of that small compartment at the top speaks for itself. It is a real miracle that striking surface in your match box survived — but there are only several traces strikes of the match visible and there are still ribs in the surface. It must have been displaced and not used any more.The logical conclusion is that if the compartment was shallow — striking surface on prepared cardboard was used, if deeper, a special mass, you mention, was pressed inside. On the other hand, prepared cardboard surface could have been thicker than what we see today in cardboard match cases and more easily replaced.I cannot imagine rich people who bought those items to bother with pressing the paste into the compartment. I also doubt that they did not buy it as ``single use `` only, no matter how rich they were. This particular match case had some kind of black substance, but not hard, it was rather soft and sticky and I have removed it. It must have been added later.Now I regret a bit I removed the substance, but again -it was soft as wet clay and sticky,I could rub it off with my fingertip — it was supposed to harden in time — not become so soft, it was not genuine after all. Thanks again ,I doubt that beside your explanation any other forum member would offer an answer.Many vewes but no replies.
Ivan