Definitions

This list gives you some explanation from the words which were used in the hobby “phillumeny”.

This section contains definitions used for matchboxes, labels, covers and hardware.

Definition	Explanation
10-stick	Half of the standard size of a 20-stick matchbook
20-stick	The regular matchbook size
30-stick	One and a half times the regular matchbook size
ARTB or four panel label	The all round the box label speaks for itselfs, this label can be removed from the box.
Back	The part of the bookmatch usually opposite to the striker side.
Caddy	A container full of bookmatches, usually 50 of the standard size.
Container	That type of hardware that holds matches but is fully enclosed.
Contour	Cover is in the shape of the product advertized.
Cylindrical boxes	These are boxes averaging 50/60mm in height, circular with pull off tops, striking surface at the base, also known as saloon boxes.
Drawer	This is the match container which slides into the outer to complete the box.
Features	Matchsticks themselves have a design on them.
Fireside matches	These are long shallow boxes containg matches of about 12 inches in length
Front	Surface of the cover with the design and usually the striking surface on it.
Flats	Factory samples, no matches, no staples and not folding.
Generals	Any & all with advertizing on them including name & usually address.
Giant Features	Special large matchbook at least 3.5″ x 4.5″.
Grip	Usually made of metal, more often than not are celluloid covered, often known as a spring grip into which a matchbox is pushed to enable the grip to hold, leaving only one striking surface exposed.
Gross packet label	A very large label, usually an enlarged copy of the boxlabel, used or intending be used on the outside of a package containing twelve packets each of twelve boxes, i.e. 144 mach boxes (or 10 packets of 10 boxes each).
Hardware	The name given to that side of the hobby which has to do with matches, but not matches itselves.
Holder	That piece of harware that holds loose matches.
Household box	A large box used in the house (too big for the pocket) holding between 180 and 500 matches.
Jewelite	Trade name.
Knapsack	Small metal match container, usually a protruding thumb tab over & past the striker edge thereunder. Product of UK, USA, France and Germany.
Manuprint	Manufactures data on the bookmatch.
Matchbox label	That is a label which is normally stuck on the top of the box. Sometimes a second label is stuck on the reverse side of the box.
Matcheramas	Cover made with full colour photograph.
Match safe	A fireproof and weatherproof depository for matches, usually contain a suitable striking surface, or abraisive on it. These are more often tooled, adorned & ornate, custom made and often contoured.
Nationals	Covers advertizing such items as cigars, chocolate but with no more specific data on the covers than the subject itself.
Outer	This is the part of the box that carries the label and the striking surface.
Packet label	Used to label a packet of 6, 10 or 12 boxes used or intended to be used to identify the contents of the package. Usually an enlargement of the box label.
Pill boxes	These are boxes averaging 20mm in height, circular with pull off tops, the tops usually carrying the label, circular in shape to fit the lid.
Regular	Standard matchbook containing 20 matches.
Reverse Striker	Originally this was the “Tip” but for safety reasons is now positioned at the base of the back panel.
Saddle	That part of the top of a matchbook that separates the front from the back.
Sets	Any two or more issued togeteher and subject related.
Series	Common or related subject but issued at a time.
Shucking	Removing of staples and matches from the bookmatch.
Skillet	A cardboard outer usually of a coloured surface on to which the design is directly printed, herfore the complete outer has to be kept for collecting purposes, usually flattened out by opening up the overlaping join.
Slide	That object into which a complete matchbox can be slid leaving at least one striking surface exposed. Most slides are open ended and open sided leaving a large area of the matchbox exposed.
Spot Striker	The abrasive material, or striking material is on the pattern of the match than the regular place.
Springflaps	Usually continental or South American, consisting of one striking surface at the back of the box, two side panels & top & bottom panel. The springflap being controlled by a small piece of elastic, which raises the top panel when the drawer is withdrawn, the top panel when raises invariable shows another label.
Stand	Usually a small block of wood, metal etc, over which a box of matches fits, leaving a portion of the matchbox drawer exposed allowing matches to be seen. The stock or stand being a part of, or being contained in the object concerned.
Sticker	Is a label that has been stuck on a box after it has left the factory. Invariably they stuck over an existing label. Mostly this are advertising labels.
Stricking surfaces	– Abrasive = Usually something stuck on the facilitate the striking of the match. – Grater = A built in striking surface made by a series of punctures in the tin. – Swirled = Usually found on the base of a brass container, made up of a number of closely cut rings. – Corrugated or Ribbed = Found on most items incorporating match holders & on some toleware tin and most match safes.
Striker	The striking material on match cover that use to be on bottom of the front of the book.
Stripping	Another word for shucking.
Swapping	The exchange of….
Tip	Is the area between the end and the manumark sometimes used for additional advertising.
Toleware	The name given to old tin vesta match containers used for advertising.
Wrapper label	Usually a designed label, very large, for wrapping up the dozen boxes and sealing the ends usually of three panels. 2 short (for each end) 1 long for the top of the package.

Samples: Drawings courtesy of Long Beach Matchcover Club