| |
Examples
A very interesting collection can be made by collecting CWS or Co-op labels. Here are three I have under the Bryant & May factory.
 William Taylor produced two versions of the Conqueror Match between 1873 and 1880. The label shown is c.1875-1880. This and one other of a slightly earlier design are the only two known examples to survive. William was born in Gloucester and worked as a hairdresser, later becoming a commercial traveller. He learnt the match trade in Birmingham and started the match factory for timber merchant S.J. Moreland in 1867. On leaving he then did the same for Thomas Gee until a fire burnt down the match works, then he started on his own in late 1872, closing in 1880 to become a publican (See Matches of Gloucester for more information).
England's Glory by Moreland's of GloucesterThis brand was started in 1891 and soon became a household name in the areas of sale at the time. These were the Midlands, Wales and South West mainly. Probably the patriotic appeal of the brand name, as well as the John Bull brand, helped sales along, especially in the face of foreign competition.Production at Gloucester ran until the closure of the factory, by owners Bryant & May, in 1976 and was then continued at Liverpool and now in Sweden by Swedish Match. There were more than eleven thousand versions of England's Glory produced in one form or another. The older ones as paper labels and the later as cardboard skillets. They are very collectable with modern ones costing from 1p each to expensive old labels and boxes. Still obtainable are two very good catalogues written by Derek Saunders, covering England's Glory from 1891 to 1952.  England's Glory Skillet, issued in April 1965 There are also many examples of England's Glory advertising hardware, sometimes to be found at car boots, antique fairs and match society meetings. Items range from water jugs, beer mugs, playing cards, match tins, pencils, numerous ashtrays, pin boxes, pen knives and vesta cases to crib boards and many other items. Vesta boxes are commonly found at antique fairs etc and are made in various mediums such as wood, brass which can be plated, enamelled and silver. They also come in many shapes and sizes and make good collections. Match tins and advertising tins are also fascinating but are not as common and can sometimes be fairly expensive if unusual. Match HoldersThese can also be picked up quite easily, varying in quality and price considerably. A few are best ignored but many make good, colourful displays, being produced in glass, brass, plated, wood, straw, porcelain, silver etc.Go To BedsThese are match holders used mainly for wax vesta matches, with provision for a match to be held ready for striking on the outside of the holder. They were also used for holding the lighted match when melting wax for sealing letters. We have been collecting these for a while now and they have suddenly become rather scarce. Some examples are shown below and would date from around 1850 to 1910.In the top row from left: Mauchline Ware (from Scotland), Rosewood, Lignum Vitae (a very hard wood also used to make bowls), Vegetable Ivory, Mauchline, Ebony & tin plate. Second row: Cast Iron, Ebony, chased brass, Rosewood, brass, Lignum Vitae & Rosewood  
Types of MatchesLucifer matches were first sold under that name in 1829 by chemist Samuel Jones. Demand was high and others soon followed his example. During 1832 a new friction match was introduced from the continent called the Congreve, using phosphorous and soon replaced the lucifer match.Wax vestas appeared c.1833, also a friction match but using a wax or wax braided stem. These were very popular and are still made in some countries today, although the wooden match became popular in Britain. The Fusee match was made in strips that could be torn off but were for pipe and cigar smokers and for outdoor use. They remained in use until about 1865 when they were replaced by Vesuvians, Flamers, Fixed Stars and Begal Matches. Strike Anywhere Matches was the name given to those that succeeded the early congreves from c.1850 and were developed to become the safety match that one could strike on the seat of shiny trousers! Safety Matches were invented in 1855 and perfected in Sweden but manufacture in Britain was slow to take over from the use of the dangerous white white phosphorous. Fossy Jaw was the disease that rotted away teeth and jaw bone. The phosphorous and carelessness were mostly the cause of many factory fires. PublicationsThere are many publications available on the subject of Phillumeny, from label catalogues to collecting vesta boxes etc.Many of these can be obtained through Match Societies or at their auctions. The following can be obtained from me. Please add 25% for UK postage.
Have you a pre-war collection for me? Good prices paid. For any of the above contact me. I hope I may have whetted your appetite to start collecting if you do not do so already or may have given you an insight into an interesting hobby. |
