Lot 579

Vtg H. Bell's Fire Protection Co. Matchbook Covers

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Vtg H. Bell's Fire Protection Co. Matchbook Covers

Starting Bid: $5

(0 Bids)

by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
June 17, 2026 6:00 PM EDT
Live Auction
17020 Dover Road
Dundee, OH, US 44624

A collection of vintage matchbook covers from the mid-to-late 20th century, organized within two specialized storage albums. The albums are constructed of yellow cardstock and are printed with the title H. Bell's Fire Protection Co. Book Match Album. The collection features a wide variety of advertising ephemera, with a significant concentration of businesses located in the Northeastern United States, particularly Meadville, Pennsylvania, and surrounding regions. The collection includes advertising for travel and lodging, dining and entertainment, tourist attractions, local services, and political campaigns. Notable inclusions are covers for The David Mead Inn (Meadville, PA), Marriott Hotels, Holiday Inn, Best Western, Days Inn, Bear Lodge Resort (Wyoming), and The Fallsway Motor Hotel (Niagara Falls). Dining establishments represented include Rax Restaurants, Denny's, Swissspot, Tiki-Toi (Utica, NY), and The Tale of the Whale. Tourist-related ephemera includes Knott's Berry Farm and various Vermont ski destinations like Stowe. Local service and political covers include Johnny's Shoe Repair, Winters' Plumbing, and campaign materials for Agnes Folmar (Prothonotary) and Don Osborne (Crawford County Commissioner), the latter dated May 19, 1987. A personalized wedding matchbook dated August 18, 1979, is also present. The matchbook covers are flattened and inserted into die-cut slots within the albums. Each page typically holds multiple rows of covers. The albums include instructional text stating Close Cover Before Striking. Approximate album dimensions: 11 inches by 17 inches (unfolded).

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 + $500