Matchless Matchbook (Heirloom 2)

Amidst the dozens of matchbook front covers, top folds (saddles) and back covers neatly adhesed to the pages of the catalogue, there was an ironic total absence of matches as the adhesion to the printed page was made where the matches and the inside covers would have been if the models were complete and functional.

As for the missing matches themselves, they were carefully designed to avoid delayed action sputtering and fireworks. Each match head was carefully dipped into an ignition material to assure quick flaming with velvet smoothness. Each missing match offered an equal distribution of ignition on every well formed striking head.

Strong sturdy board was used for the die cutting of perfectly uniform stems, which are always stiff and firm which assures the reduction of bending and breaking. The collection of match heads in each book was carefully centered and stitched into the covers.

All of these qualities can only be imagined due to the adhesion of the sample books to the catalogue.

What can still be appreciated even after all these years are the front covers, the back covers the saddles and the striking surface.

The striking surface itself is smooth, even, responsive and prepared with exacting standards.

The paper stock of the covers was selected for toughness, texture and smooth retentive coating. The designs created by long departed artists were printed using fine inks from skillfully etched engravings.

The matches can only be imagined like the places that the books advertised: The Nook on Roosevelt Blvd in Philadlephia Pa. The Nook was a "friendly place" where "you are a stranger but once" or Kit's Cocktail Lounge 333 A Street in Oxnard California; "a continental spot, you'll like a lot" or The Blue Moon 8436 Jefferson where the cusomers can dine and dance and "everybody has a good time".

I was so little at the time that I didn't even know what a "cocktail' was but it looked like the people ont covers were having a good time. These were all Sunburst quality designs. Someone had removed order 3106-SB from the catalogue which always bothered me. Who would do such a thing? Why would anybody want to ruin perfection.

There was a lot that I didn't understand as a child some of which still remains a mystery.

I have learned the importance of careful design, avoiding accidental fireworks, equal distribution of ignition, stiff resistance, centering, exact standards, smooth and even response, toughness, texture, reduction of breakage and retentive coating.

I'm gonna need all the emotional help I can gather from my learning resources, as my lifelong friend Johnny passed away yesterday. The calls are coming in and going out.

I showed him the book sixty five years ago.

Today he's Order 3106 SB.

Unlike 3106 SB, however, Johnny is gone but not ripped off. He led a full life and lived it according to his toughness, standards, measured ignition, indomitability, responsivity and  good will