Please Pass the Clutter

Match Collection

Don’t throw away your match collection!  You might be caught up in the trendy “minimizing” movement.  And good for you.  It feels GREAT to clean up your space and clear out clutter.  But when it comes to mementos like matches – one of a kind little works of art – don’t toss them in the garbage.  This is one of those times when your trash is someone else’s treasure.

A phillumenist is someone who collects matches.  There are thousands of phillumenists who would love to have your cast-offs.  Amateur collectors might be interested in taking your restaurant matches too.  You never know which matchbook or box match triggers a sweet memory for someone. 

Matches are like memory anchors.  When you see the cover of a matchbook, naming a restaurant where you last had dinner with your spouse, it tugs at your memory and pulls out the dinner date.  Reliving the experience brings you joy. 

Maybe the match is a box of wooden sticks with the logo of your favorite barbeque place.  When you see that box you can almost taste the mesquite flavor of the smoked brisket.  And who was with you?  Was it your son or daughter?  Possibly an old friend?  Life is hard enough; we need our cherished memories.

So you could choose to make your match collection an accessory to your home , or you could continue with the minimizing trend and “when in doubt, throw it out”.  Maybe a mixture of both? 

But instead of tossing them into the garbage, reach out to the Rathkamp Matchcover Society.  They are the modern stewards of a century old match collecting tradition.  They may be interested in salvaging your collection, because they know that vintage matches are worth saving.