Atogrphed, authentic, how much?
  Find information on Vintage Baseball collectibles, Tips on caring for your Valued Memorabilia collection Price Guide, Dates, and more!  
  Price Guide, Collectors Guide, Worth, Date    
HOME facebook BUY/SELL FORUM CONTACT

NEWSLETTER

  Category
  ADVERTISING
  AUTOGRAPHS
  BASEBALLS
  BASEBALL BATS
  BOBBLE HEADS
  CARDS
  EQUIPMENT
  FIGURINES
  GAMES & TOYS
  GAME USED
  GLOVES & MITTS
  HATS & UNIFORMS
  PENNANTS
  PHOTOS & ART
  PINS & BUTTONS
  PLATES
  POSTERS & SIGNS
  PUBLICATIONS
  RECORDS
  S.G.A.'S
  TICKETS
  MISCELLANEOUS
  Collectors Guides
  BASEBALL CARD
CHECKLISTS
  BASEBALL BAT
DATING GUIDE
  BASEBALL GLOVE
CLEANING GUIDE
  BASEBALL GLOVE
DATING GUIDE
  COLLECTIBLE
GLOSSARY
  EXHIBIT BASEBALL
CARD DATING
  FAKE & REPRODUCTION ALERTS
  OFFICIAL MLB
BASEBALL DATING
  QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
  PRICE GUIDES
  MICKEY MANTLE
MEMORABILIA 
  SINGLE SIGNED
BASEBALLS
  TEAM SIGNED
BASEBALLS
  WORLD SERIES
PRESS PINS
  WORLD SERIES
TICKET STUBS
  SITE FEATURES
  ABOUT THIS WEBSITE
  COLLECTORS CORNER
  CONTACT
  FACEBOOK GROUP
  FACEBOOK PAGE
  FORUM
  NEWSLETTER 
 
KeyMan Collectibles on facebook
 

1935-1936 Diamond Matchbook Cover Checklist

Baseball Centennial Matchbook Cover

Kren Baseball Bats Baseball Centennial Matchbook
Kren Baseball Centennial Matchbook

Honus Wagner Co. Feature Matchbook

Lefty O'Doul's Restaurant Matchbook Cover

© 1955-1963 "Ted Williams" Match Box

Johnny Sproatt's The Bat Rack Matchbook 6 Greatest Living Hitters

Tony Piet Pontiac City Gold Seal Warranty

Don Drysdale's Dugout Restaurant Whaler's Pub Matchbook

1964 Babe Ruth League World Series Ticket Offer

Ray Jackson's Feature Matchbook

J.F. Kernan "Casey At The Bat" Matchbook

SWEPCO Lubricants Yogi Berra Matchbook

1974 Trivia Matchbook

Rusty Staub's on 5th Restaurant Matchbook

Ozzie Smith's Restaurant & Sports Bar Matchbook

Mickey Mantle's Restaurant Matchbook

Join KeyMan Collectibles Group on facebook

 
 KeyMan Collectibles  NEWSLETTER October 2024 
Baseball Theme Matchbook Covers & Collecting
 Steven KeyMan
Steven KeyMan
 Terminology Part II - By Steven KeyMan
Founder of Keymancollectibles.com, and a long time collector, Steven KeyMan has more than 30 years of experience in researching, and cataloging information on Baseball Memorabilia. Researching his own personal collection, and helping others find information on their collectibles, the website grew into the largest online resource for baseball memorabilia
 

   Ask Steven: Direct your questions or feedback, about Baseball Memorabilia to Steven KeyMan Steve@keymancollectibles.com You can also Send KeyMan pictures of your personal Memorabilia Display, and get your own Free  Collectors Showcase Room featured on the website..   
 
 In 1892 Joshua Pusey secured a patent for the compact cardboard match, and then sold it to the Diamond Match Company. It took some time to catch on, but matchbook advertising became one of the most successful and cost efficient adverting mediums of all time. Reaching for a single matchbook given away to a patron exposes the advertisement 20-40 times. Baseball was a popular theme to attract customers to a product or service.

  Designated U1 by the American Card Catalog, the 1934 Diamond matchbook covers measure about 1-1/2 x 4-1/8. The front of the matchbook feature a sepia tone baseball player picture pose with a silver boarder. The cover borders can be found in red, green, blue or orange. The saddle (area between the front & back panels) has the players name and team.

 The back features a short career bio, topped by a crossed bats, glove & ball design. The inside is blank. Variations include: 18a -Ralph Boyle (Error, photo actually Virgil Davis) 18b -Ralph Boyle (Correct Photo), 73 -Chas. Grimm (Fielding), 74 -Chas. Grimm (Portrait), and 140a -Lynn Nelson (Error photo actually Eugene DeSautels) 140b -Lynn Nelson (Correct photo).

Matchbook Collecting Terminology: "Group I" - covers with no advertising issued in sets by Diamond during the 1930s, each set having a particular topic (i.e, baseball stars, football stars).

  Baseball schedules were often used by matchbook advertisers. The idea being after all the matches are used the baseball fan, will keep the schedule for their favorite team, saving the advertising on the other side. Distillers commonly used matchbook schedules, distributing them to bars where baseball fans gathered for a drink and a smoke. Taverns & lounges also used this medium to promote their establishment.

  There was a time when smoking cigars & cigarettes at the game was permitted. Cigarettes were even sold at the ballpark. Some teams printed their own complimentary matchbook schedules., and made them available at the ballpark. The Philadelphia Athletes printed such matchbooks, this style in different colors with Connie Mack's White Elephant, from about 1938-1943. The covers also promotes the sale of reserved seating.

Matchbook Collecting Terminology: "Matchbook" - cover with matches; most collectors strip the matches out; hence, "match cover" the foldable card

This Brooklyn Baseball Club "The Dodgers" 1939 home game schedule matchbook offers a chance to win Free Tickets! When You have all the letters to spell "DODGERS" present them at 215 Montague Street (Ebbets Field), and receive a pass for two, good for any one game.

 The letters were hidden under the striker, as pointed out by directional arrows. The red, white and blue cover has directions by train.

 The Brooklyn- Manhattan Transit lines - BMT, Brighten Beach line to Prospect Park, and the Interborough Rapid Transit lines - IRT, 4th or 7th Avenue line to Franklin Avenue.

Matchbook Collecting Terminology: "Striker" - The abrasive strip on a matchbook or matchbox upon which a match is struck.

  Dubbed as Baseball's unofficial headquarters, Toots Shor's Restaurant was owned and operated by Bernard "Toots" Shor at 51 West 51st Street in Manhattan from 1940 to 1959. It was the place to be in New York City, frequented by celebrities such as Jackie Gleason, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Orson Welles, Yogi Berra.

  It was also Joe DiMaggio's home away from his hotel room, and a place of gathering of sports and Broadway figures, who came to see and be seen.

 In the eyes of Toots Shor, the restaurants glory years were those when the Yankees, Dodgers and Giants were riding high in New York. Owner of the New York Giants Horace Stoneham was a regular as well. In 1951 Shor hosted a party held in conjunction with the National League’s 75th birthday. Hall Of Famers in attendance were the likes of Kid Nichols, Charley Gehringer, Mel Ott, Rogers Hornsby, Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, George Sisler, Pie Traynor, Mickey Cochrane, Cy Young, Fred Clarke, Jimmy Foxx and Ed Walsh.

Matchbook Collecting Terminology: "For Safety" - footer used on various older covers.  

  Matchbook from Joe DiMaggio's World Famous Restaurant & Cocktail lounge, overlooking the world-famous Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. In 1937, a season removed from his All-Star rookie season with the New York Yankees, Joe DiMaggio invested $25,000 in the restaurant. Named "Joe DiMaggio's Grotto," he brought his brothers in, and left Tom in charge to run the business.

Their farther Giuseppe was a lifelong fisherman, as were generations of DiMaggio's before him. Not long before the restaurant was opened, the father and older brothers setout every morning to take crabs off the ocean floor. Joe received a wholesale price of 22 cent a crab for his catch.

Matchbook Collecting Terminology: "Panel" - a section of the outside of a cover (i.e., front panel, back panel).

 In 1958, New York Yankee greats, Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto put up a $1,200,000. - 40 lane bowling center in Styertown, Clifton, New Jersey. Stars from baseball, television, radio, and local political figures, were among the 5,000 who crowded the new Rizzuto-Berra Bowling Lanes, for it's opening on March 28, 1958.

 Mantle was mobbed by the kids as he walked from the parking lot into the bowling center as were other Yankee players on hand, like Don Larsen, Bill (Moose) Skowron, Hank Bauer, Bobby Shantz, Tony Koubek, Johnny Kucks. Gil McDougald, and Manager Casey Stengel.

 They were only a few of the Yankee stars on hand for the opening, including master of ceremonies Mel Allen. The establishment also featured a trophy case, with such items as American League's Most Valuable Player Plaques, won by both Berra and Rizzuto, and a cocktail lounge shaped like Yankee Stadium.

 Matchbook Collecting Terminology: "Matchcover" - foldable cardboard covering for the matches in a matchbook; also used to describe a matchbook after the matches have been stripped out.

Mickey Mantle opened a bowling center the following year. The grand opening took place at 200 Exchange Park North in Dallas Texas on February 7, 1959. The 32-lane building was a $400. investment, with Mantle, and his associates putting up $100,000. and the Brunswick Company financing the balance.

 The bowling center became part of a contract dispute in 1959. The Yankees wanted Mantle to take a $15.000 cut in pay, and Mantle said he

would not take the cut, but deserved a $3,000. raise to $75,000. He publicly stated he would be more than happy to stay in Dallas and run his bowling alley rather than accept the pay cut. Mantle received the raise, and the following year sold some of his stock. He stated that he had been overburdened with absentee ownership of the lanes, and it was hurting both the bowling center and his ball play. Mantle remained as a major stockholder and the lanes continued under the name of "Mickey Mantle bowling center."

Matchbook Collecting Terminology: "Pressing" - the process of flattening stripped covers, often in some sort of vise-like device.

  In 1960 the Continental Cigar Company, makers of Bat Cigars ran a Louisville Slugger baseball bat promotion. For only $2.00, and two empty Bat cigar 5-paks, you had your choice of a Louisville Slugger Softball or Little League baseball bat.

 The inside of this 20 strike matchbook features the offer that reads; "Get Famous, Louisville Slugger * Softball or Little League, Baseball Bats, for Your Son - Nephew -Grandson - Or For Your Own Team No Limit, - Pick Up A Bat 5-Pak For, Further Details." The back of each 5-pak Bat Cigars had an order form for the Louisville Slugger offer.

Matchbook Collecting Terminology: "20-Strike" (30 or 40) - generic term for covers with 20 matches, 30 matches, 40 matches, or that sized cover.

  Tony Piet was a major league infielder from 1931 to 1938. Piet played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, and Detroit Tigers. He shortened his surname, Pietruszka, to Piet because it couldn't fit on the Forbes Field scoreboard. After retiring from baseball in 1938 he opened what would become one of the largest Pontiac dealerships in the World. It covering more than three city blocks on Chicago's southwest side, 6603-37 S. Western Ave.
   
    This full length matchcover pictures the former White Sox player, Tony Piet in uniform on the right, with the dealership behind him. The inside reads "New Location For Selected Gold Seal Used Card - Personally Selected - Written Guarantee 6635 South Western Phone  HEmlock 4-8200 *** - Lot No. 2 - 6555 South Western - Northeast Corner - Phone  HEmlock 4-8205"

Matchbook Collecting Terminology: "Full-Length" - cover which has the design/text running the full length of the cover; there are two types: 1) horizontal Full-length; 2) vertical Full-length

  In 1959 Ted Kluszewski an 11 year veteran of the Cincinnati Reds, purchase interest in the original Charcoal Steak house at 1106 East McMillan street in Cincinnati. Kluszewski partnered up with the nationally known restaurateur Jack Stayin, who took on the name "Jack and Klu's."

 Opening day 1960, Cincinnati Redleg fans weren't permitted to forget ex-Cincy slugger Ted Kluszewski, who was playing for the Chicago White Sox at the time. Before the game an airplane circled Crosley Field several times, and behind the plane was a huge banner reading: "Dine at Big Klu's Charcoal Steak house." By 1963 Jack and Klu's opened restaurants in 5 locations.

Matchbook Collecting Terminology: "Odd-Striker" - Lion trademark for covers with striker in an unusual location and shape; 1942- 1962.

  Ray Jackson's House of Prime Ribs was a popular hangout for the Milwaukee sports fraternity for more than three decades, before it closed in 1986. The establishment served coaches, athletes, reporters and fans since 1953. Located on Bluemound and 51st Street, it was a fly ball away from the old County Stadium and a popular hangout for ballplayers from both sides to congregate, mingle with fans and raise a glass of Pabst or Schlitz.

 On October 6, 1957, after an extra-inning loss in Game 4 of the World Series against the Braves, Yankees Mantle, Berra and Stengel had a cold one at Jackson's Place. While there, they signed the pub's traditional request of a chalk signature sample on a black piece of matboard measuring 4-1/2" x 18." The chalk signatures along with others hung at Ray Jackson's Place.

 This Ray Jackson's Matchbook has the Lion Match Co. patented "Feature" with printed baseball bat matches and a Ray Jackson's facsimile signature. It also has an "odd-striker" in the shape of a baseball diamond on the cover.

Matchbook Collecting Terminology: "Feature" is a Lion matchbook trademark for covers with pictures, and or printing on the match sticks.

Stan Musial always worried about his baseball career, about getting hurt, and wanted a business to fall back on. After befriending Julius "Biggie" Garagnani, owner of Biggie's Steak House, Musial bought a home in the St. Louis area, then spoke with Biggie about a partnership in the restaurant. Musial officially became Biggie's partner in January of 1949.

 In 1950, the original restaurant at 6435 Chippewa St. was enlarged, with the addition of a cocktail lounge and expansion of the main dining room, and again in 1956.

This Stan Musial And Biggies Steak House Matchbook has the Lion Match Co. patented "Feature" with printing that reads: "Air Conditioned - Entertainment Nightly" to the right of a pair of baseballs that reads; "Steak House" in one and "Cocktail Lounge" in the other. To the bottom right reads; "6435 Chippewa, St. Louis, MO.

Matchbook Collecting Terminology: "Die-Cut - referring to covers w/customized shapes; the sides are not parallel.

  By 1975, the growing restaurant community in the "Queen City" already hosted Ted Kluszewski's Steak House, and Johnny Bench's Home Plate. But Cincinnati still had an apatite for "Pete Rose's Restaurant" at 3360 Westbourne Drive. A second Cincinnati eatery, "Pete Rose Champion Restaurant," held a Grand Opening Weekend, May 5-7, 1978 at 155 Northland Blvd.

 Festivities included; Free Soft Drinks with Every meal, a pair of box seat tickets to a reds game, given away every hour, each child received a free autographed
  picture of Pete Rose with every meal, and the Grand Prize, four box seat to a future Reds game and dinner for four with Pete Rose after the game compliments of Pete Rose Champion Restaurant.

Matchbook Collecting Terminology: "Set" - covers which are related to each other (same business, sponsor, etc.) and are issued at the same time, as opposed to Series; a set comprises 2 or more covers; most run from 3-12 covers.

In 1987, Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly opened Mattingly’s 23 Restaurant & Lounge, at 1700 N. Morgan Center Drive, Evansville, Indiana. The 7,000 sq. ft. restaurant and lounge, featured a carpeted floor laid out like a baseball diamond, and two dugouts where you could sit.

 Mattingly's 23, which took its name from Mattingly's jersey number, seated 269 people and featured sports memorabilia throughout the establishment.

 The entrance featured a replica ticket booth, World Series programs and a souvenir stand. The menus were made available at the Souvenir stand (gift-shop) which also included; jackets, sweatshirts, t-shirts, caps, posters, coffee mugs, baseball bat pens, mini bats, 1991 Coca-Cola Mattingly's 23 restaurant baseball card sets and more.

 There were two different matchbooks produced. One depicts the "Mattingly's 23" restaurant logo with Mattingly's bust drawn into the top, wearing a Yankees cap, and pinstripes. The other with just the "Mattingly's 23" restaurant logo.

 Matchbook Collecting Terminology: "Reverse Striker" - referring to a cover which has the striker on the back panel rather than the top flap. The design change came in 1973, when all matchbooks were federally mandated to have the strikers put on the back panel, for safety. Thus, the industry changed from "Front-Strikers" to "Reverse-Strikers."
 
   
   Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse located in Bricktown Oklahoma  
    Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse Restaurant was established in 2000 on the iconic Mickey Mantle Drive in OKC’s historic Bricktown.  
     
  Matchbook Collecting Terminology: "Matchbox" - Hard cardboard, wood, or plastic container of matches as opposed to Matchcovers.
 
 
 
  KEYMAN COLLECTIBLES RELATED RESOURCES  
     
   
  Baseball Theme Matchbook Covers & Collecting Terminology Part I  
 
 
  KeyMan Collectibles Collectors Corner - Keep up with the latest collecting news, announcements, and articles of interest on the webs best resource for baseball memorabilia.  
  KeyMan Collectibles Baseball Memorabilia Facebook Group - Post Questions and comments relating to Baseball Collectibles and Memorabilia. Interact with other collectors or show off your collection.  
  KeyMan Collectibles Forum - A great option for those that "Don't do facebook"  Post Questions and comments relating to Baseball Collectibles and Memorabilia  
 
 
  Home | Auctions | Message Board | Newsletter | About this Site  
Link Directory | Links Page | Collectors Corner | Contact | Site Map