FREE: pocket match safe

The listing, pocket match safe has ended.

quarter shown for size American flag embossed on one side and profile of a guy on other side
unknown age and origin best guess is between 1890's to 1920's made from tin only marking is patented


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Vesta cases, vesta boxes, or pocket match safes or matchsafes were small portable boxes made in a great variety of forms with snapshut covers to contain vestas (short matches) to keep them dry

So called after the name of one of the early makers they came into use around the 1830s and were produced extensively between 1890 and 1920. During this period, almost everyone carried strike anywhere matches, so they could light stoves, lanterns and other devices. Early matches were unreliable and prone to ignite from rubbing on one another or spontaneously. Accordingly, most people carried a match safe to house their matches.

The different patterns and types must run into many thousands. As well as plain and decorated square, oblong and round cases, a myriad of novelty shapes have been recorded; silver, brass or white metal pigs with hinged heads were popular,

They were also made in every conceivable material, including pressed brass, pressed tin, gunmetal, nickel silver, gold, ivory, wood of varying types, early plastics like tortoiseshell and Bakelite, and ceramics. The more unusual materials included leather and the seed from the Australian supple-jack tree. Although the majority were made of inexpensive materials, some were made of precious metals or enameled. These precious metal cases typically had a gold wash interior to prevent corrosion by the chemically active match heads.

A distinguishing characteristic of match safes is that they have a ribbed surface, usually on the bottom, for lighting the matches. Some match safes incorporated a cigar cutter or a small knife blade as well.