Notes for new collectors

This list gives you information you must do and not do in collecting match labels, covers and skillets.

Welcome to the world of phillumeny. This is the world of collecting match labels, covers and skillets. It offers you a limitless variety of topics, subjects and artistic styles which cannot fail to stimulate and satisfy the genuine collector.

Keep your collection in hard cover albums or binders. The loose-leaf varieties are preferable, as re-arrangement of your collection can more readily be achieved. Stamp albums are used by many collectors

Never cut or trim labels, skillets or covers. The serious collectors do not like trimmed or cut labels, skillets or covers. The skillets must be completed including the striking surface. To flattening these skillets open it carefully on the glued side with a knife. Covers should be prepared for mounting by carefully removing the staple and then flattening.

Never paste, glue or use Cellotape. To affix your collection as removal is difficult, amnd in time, the may become stained or discolour. Use always stamp hinges to mount your labels. Skillets/covers can put with photo corners on a paper.

Labels should be soaked off their backing wood or cardboard. Labels can be soaked off thgeir backing wood and cardboard by immersing in warm water. Care should be taken to ensure the water is not too hot, as labels may become stained by the dye from the blue paper cover. Adding a little salt or weak bleach to the water will assist in retaining the colour of the label. Experiment with duplicate klabels to determine the best method, before attempting the originals.

Value of your collection. There are no specific values placed on labels/booklets as exists with postage stamps. Value is dependent upon condition, availability and is subject to the demands of indiviual collectors for particular items. Obviously the older and rarer items are relatively more expensive. The beginner is advised not to pay high prices for labels until he/she has gained an appreciation of label/booklet rarity and comparative prices.

Arrangement of your collection. Most collectors separate their labels etc. into “country of origin”, then in alphabetical order of according to the manufacturing company. Others favour the “thematic” system which classifies labels by type, e.g. transport, sport, flowers, royalty, bird, ships, threes etc. Everyone can make his arrangemaent he likes most.

Watch for the differences. May labels look the same but a closer scruting will sometimes reveal differences. Labels can vary in many ways e.g. contents, colour & type of paper, price, excise marking, country or factort of manufacture, overall size. It is wise to check all labels you receive with those in your album before you discard them as duplicate.

Correspondence. When you receive a letter asking you to correspond or exchange, please answer it promply, even if it is only to say that you do not wish to exchange. When there is likely to be a delay in replying, endeavour to let your correspondent know the circumstance.

Catalogues. There are few and far between – no complete catalogues exists – there have been several catalogues by individuals or clubs, detailing specific manufactures issues or relating to particular subject or theme. (On this homepage (header catalogues) I try to make a complete list of all the known catalogues there are, so if you have updates to this list, mail me).

Increase your collection. The best way is to correspond or exchange with other collectors – addresses can be obtained from Club/Society membership lists. Another possibilty is to ask your friends to help with collecting when they go on holiday to foreign countries. You can also asked the local pub’s, restaurants etc if they have matchboxes for your collection.