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Matchbook (open)

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A matchbook is a small cardboard container that holds a quantity of matches inside and has a coarse striking surface on the exterior. A flap on the front is lifted to access the matches, which are attached to the interior base in a comb-like pattern and must be torn away before use. (In the matchbox, by contrast, the matches are arranged loosely in the interior tray.)

Matchbooks are often covered with advertising logos or various artistic decorations, and they have served as collector's items and free souvenirs. Manufacturing of matchbooks peaked during the 1940s and 50s, then steadily declined because of the availability of disposable lighters and various anti-smoking health campaigns.

In 1973, a federal mandate in the U.S. required the striking surface to be moved to the back of the package. (These are referred to as "back strikers" or "reverse strikers", while pre-1973 covers are called "front strikers".)

Although paper matches were patented in the 1880's, an early paper match "folder" was patented in September 1892 by Philadelphia patent attorney American Joshua Pusey, however the matchbook as we know it was patented a few weeks later by Charles Bowman of Lebanon, PA. Pusey challenged Bowman's patent, but Bowman's patent was upheld. Pusey sold his patent to the Diamond Match Trust in 1896 and then served as the company's patent attorney. Bowman's company, the American Safety Head Match Company of Lebanon, PA didn't last long, and Diamond Match Co. adapted his design into their product, becoming the first mass-producer of paper matchbooks.

Collectors distinguish between matchbooks and matchcovers. A matchbook holds the matches - take the match sticks out and flatten the cardboard and you have a matchcover. Collecting of match-related items is called phillumenism.

U.S. Patent 483166  Flexible Match, 27 September 1892 by J. Pusey

The Diamond Match Co. was able to capitalize on their rights to the book match because of chemical and manufacturing processes developed by Carl Clemens Haferkamp at the plant in Oswego, NY. Mr. Haferkamp was a graduate of Heidelberg University and came to the United States in 1910. He served as Chief Engineer and Chief Chemist of Diamond Match until his retirement in 1955.