Jerry Bell (Australia)

Exhibit : How a TV valve led to a lifetime’s hobby

I started collecting match covers in England in 1948 and joined the BML&BS in 1952. I have collected continuously since then, I am particularly fortunate that my work took me all over the world, and I now live in Melbourne, Australia, where I have been a member of the Australian Society for over 40 years.

I have written the history of the Australian Match Industry, “Lighting Up Australia”, and the second edition of this has just been published. I have also authored two catalogues on early labels imported into Australia and Neighbouring Countries, “Average Contents 60” and “Historical Notes on 19^th and early 20^th Century Matchbox Labels and Cinderellas for Australia, New Zealand and Neighbouring Countries”.

My book and both catalogues are available from the Australian Society, and “Average Contents 60” is available from the British Society Bookshop.

I also edited the Australian club magazine, the Observer, for 10 years, and am a frequent contributor to this and the British Match Label News.

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