Vintage Fire
January 16, 2013 7:14 PM Subscribe
Tumblr user Kium found her grandfather's matchbook collection, and has uploaded pictures of their beautiful designs. Part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4.
Those are pretty amazing. Such detail, even down to writing on the individual matches.
Incidentally, for those wondering about the "world's most sensational sport": Jai Alai.
It is apparently "the fastest sport in the world because of the balls".
So, many a new Olympic sport if they ban cycling?
Fun fact: Once held the world record for ball speed with a 125g–140g ball covered with goatskin that traveled at 302 km/h (188 mph), performed by José Ramón Areitio at the Newport Jai Alai, Rhode Island. It is still big in Florida.
posted by Mezentian at 8:02 PM on January 16, 2013
Incidentally, for those wondering about the "world's most sensational sport": Jai Alai.
It is apparently "the fastest sport in the world because of the balls".
So, many a new Olympic sport if they ban cycling?
Fun fact: Once held the world record for ball speed with a 125g–140g ball covered with goatskin that traveled at 302 km/h (188 mph), performed by José Ramón Areitio at the Newport Jai Alai, Rhode Island. It is still big in Florida.
posted by Mezentian at 8:02 PM on January 16, 2013
a new Olympic sport if they ban cycling?
Pelota: At the 1900 Summer Olympics, a Basque pelota tournament was contested. Only two teams competed, so only one match was played. The score is unknown. This was the only Olympiad where pelota was an official sport, being revived at the 1924, 1968 and 1992 Games as a demonstration sport.
posted by unliteral at 8:47 PM on January 16, 2013
Pelota: At the 1900 Summer Olympics, a Basque pelota tournament was contested. Only two teams competed, so only one match was played. The score is unknown. This was the only Olympiad where pelota was an official sport, being revived at the 1924, 1968 and 1992 Games as a demonstration sport.
posted by unliteral at 8:47 PM on January 16, 2013
Pedo torture wines
Well, it stands to reason they'd have incendiary images.
posted by yoink at 9:22 PM on January 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Well, it stands to reason they'd have incendiary images.
posted by yoink at 9:22 PM on January 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Works of art. Really liked the designs. They don't make them like they used to.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:12 PM on January 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:12 PM on January 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
These are truly fabulous. The artistry in those early ones, with the printed matches, is pure magic.
Matchbooks to me conjure a time when men in suits, white shirts and skinny ties lingered at The Top of the Sixes in Manhattan with their drinks and cigarettes. It was a time when tobacco ruled the world, when smoking was expected and encouraged.
My father sold for big steel in the 60s. He had a large expense account and a taste for cigars, and left behind an impressive collection of matchbooks which paint a vivid picture. Omar Khayyam in San Francisco, The Forum of the Twelve Caesars in New York, The Brown Derby in Hollywood, Don the Beachcomber, The Sazerac, The Palmer House... it goes on and on.
Some quiet evenings I like to look through them. I can see my Dad, slowly puffing a cigar, flipping the matchbook over and over in his free hand and looking thoughtfully out over Chicago/New York/San Francisco/New Orleans...
posted by kinnakeet at 3:03 AM on January 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
Matchbooks to me conjure a time when men in suits, white shirts and skinny ties lingered at The Top of the Sixes in Manhattan with their drinks and cigarettes. It was a time when tobacco ruled the world, when smoking was expected and encouraged.
My father sold for big steel in the 60s. He had a large expense account and a taste for cigars, and left behind an impressive collection of matchbooks which paint a vivid picture. Omar Khayyam in San Francisco, The Forum of the Twelve Caesars in New York, The Brown Derby in Hollywood, Don the Beachcomber, The Sazerac, The Palmer House... it goes on and on.
Some quiet evenings I like to look through them. I can see my Dad, slowly puffing a cigar, flipping the matchbook over and over in his free hand and looking thoughtfully out over Chicago/New York/San Francisco/New Orleans...
posted by kinnakeet at 3:03 AM on January 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
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posted by jim in austin at 8:01 PM on January 16, 2013