We are planning a whole weekend of events to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the invention of the Friction Match by John Walker of Stockton on Tees in 1826. We have chosen these dates because John Walker was born on 29th May 1781. It is hard to over-state the importance that John Walker's invention made to society at large but also to us collectors.
The Society intends to celebrate this life-changing invention in a number of ways :
- A physical exhibition in Stockton-on-Tees
- A members' meeting with dealer tables and a Grand Auction in Stockton-on-Tees
- An on-line exhibition on our web site
- Two members' meals with after-dinner speakers
- The premiere of our documentary film about John Walker
Details of the venues are still being worked out, and will be published in our magazine and here on the web site as they become finalised.
We have already created a new web site dedicated to John Walker, which will expand as we approach 2026 and will act as a lasting legacy to John Walker.
If you have information about John Walker that you would like to share with us, or you would like to help with the 2026 celebrations in any way, we would be pleased to hear from you johnwalker2026@phillumeny.com