Match Safes (Vestas)

[Terry Bond]

These little cases held matches long before they came in little cardboard booklets with advertising on them.  Matches for these were little wooden sticks with red tips.  Strike them on the serrated base of the little case and you could easily light your pipe, cigarette or cigar.  A lot of them were silver plated brass, some solid silver.  Some had advertising on them.  Those with early motoring scenes on them are not too easy to find.  There are a few more commonly found varieties, and a few reproductions around, but most are rarities.  Here are a few genuine examples from my collection.  The last photo is a set with matching match-safe and cigarette case, still in its original presentation box.  - enjoy.  I'll post some photos later of a couple of known reproductions that are kicking around on the internet currently. I'll help you learn how to spot the difference.  Stay tuned-

Terry

[keiser31]

You sure do come up with the coolest stuff!

[TerryB]

Yes indeed.  Never saw automotive themed small match safes like these.