Editing Matchbook (section)

==Matchcover==
[[File:80-188-CG Match Book Cover.jpg|thumb|Matchbook cover, [[World War II]], [[Uncle Sam]]]]

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Matchcover-Soaring-Eagle.jpg|thumb|right|140px|A matchcover.]] -->
A "matchcover", or "matchbook cover", is a thin cardboard covering that folds over [[match]] sticks in a "book" or "pack" of matches. Covers have been used as a form of [[advertising]] since 1894, two years after they were patented, and since then, have attracted people who enjoy the hobby of [[collecting]]. Many historians point to the Mendelson Opera as the first to use matchbooks for advertising purposes; they hand wrote their promotional information on blank matchbook covers made by the Binghamton Match Company between 1893/94. Inspired by the Opera's innovation, Diamond Match salesman [[Henry Traute]] began approaching manufacturers to advertise their products on his company's matches, promoting them as something that would be viewed by their users many times a day. Among the first companies to order advertising matchbooks were [[Pabst Brewing Company|Pabst]] beer, [[American Tobacco Company]] and [[Wrigley Company|Wrigley's Chewing Gum]]. He also encouraged his customers to give away matchbooks as a promotional item.<ref name=CBC/><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1945/09/14/archives/henry-traute-79-match-executive-pioneer-of-book-matches-dies-headed.html | title=HENRY TRAUTE, 79, MATCH EXECUTIVE; Pioneer of Book Matches Dies --Headed Department for the Diamond Firm 50 Years | newspaper=The New York Times | date=14 September 1945 }}</ref>

Collectors are known as ''[[phillumeny|phillumenists]]'', or "lovers of light", and include people who have a shoe box or fish bowl filled with packs from local stores and restaurants, to serious collectors with covers organized in hundreds of different topics.  In 2005, there were over 1800 active collectors in The Rathkamp Matchcover Society<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.matchcover.org |title=Rathkamp Matchcover Society |publisher=Matchcover.org |date= |accessdate=2012-10-30}}</ref> (''The Voice of the Hobby Since 1941''), spread over 20 countries worldwide.

The most expensive matchbook cost $6,000 US dollars and was purchased by Kevin Saucier (USA) in Santa Ana, California, USA, on 3 July 2015. The matchbook was created for a rare Charles Lindbergh dinner celebration dated 14 June 1927. The matchbook is missing four matches<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/416125-most-expensive-matchbook | title=Most expensive matchbook }}</ref> but is otherwise in mint condition as the cover is generally considered the collectible grade. It is believed that "The Lindbergh Matchbooks" as they are known in the hobby were discarded as they were printed with the rank of Captain; with the world-famous achievement Lindbergh was promptly promoted to Colonel. It is estimated 200 of these books were handed out at a dinner in his honor at the Astor Hotel in New York City. At last count there were about 13 known to exist. 

===Patents===
US patent 483,166<ref>{{cite web|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US483166A/en |title=Patent US483166 - FLEXIBLE MATCH - Google Patents |date= |accessdate=2020-11-21}}</ref> ''Flexible Match'' patent, 27 September 1892 - set of two match combs shown enclosed folding paper match cover.