{"id":1402,"date":"2025-10-24T16:25:24","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T16:25:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillumeny.com\/johnwalker\/?page_id=1402"},"modified":"2026-05-29T07:48:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T07:48:56","slug":"on-line-exhibition-chapter-12","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/phillumeny.com\/johnwalker\/on-line-exhibition-chapter-12\/","title":{"rendered":"Phillumeny and John Walker’s legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Period covered : 1945 to today<\/strong><\/p>\n

The collecting habit, which had begun in Victorian times amongst wealthier families, exploded after the Second World War. Mass production, lower prices, improved wages and increased leisure time encouraged many to start collecting.<\/p>\n

Phillumeny is the name<\/p>\n

The name given to the hobby of collecting matchboxes is \u201cPhillumeny<\/strong>\u201d, derived from the Greek philos (love) and Latin lumen (light). The word was coined in 1943 by Mrs Marjorie S Evans, who was a prominent collector. People who collect matchboxes are known as “Phillumenists<\/strong>“.<\/p>\n

Before 1945 matchbox collecting had no club or society to support it, so all exchange was typically between people who knew each other. <\/em><\/p>\n

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Exchange and Mart logo, Newsquest, public domain via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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However, one common way for people to buy and sell matchbox labels (among other things) was through the weekly magazine \u201cExchange and Mart<\/strong><\/a>\u201d which had been founded in 1868 by William Cox and was published weekly until 2009. <\/p>\n

During World War II the magazine was slimmed down by paper rationing and by 1948 it was still suffering under rationing, with a circulation of 70,000. At its peak, it reached an audited circulation of over 350,000, making Exchange & Mart a household name.<\/p>\n

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Matchbox collectors on 7th July 1946<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1945, a new Society for matchbox collectors<\/h2>\n

The British Matchbox Label and Bookmatch Society was founded on the 1st<\/sup> January 1945 by Ken Morris, Ian Clark and Dick Whitely. These three wrote to 120 people who they knew were keen collectors, organised a Rally at the Seymour Hall in London on 22nd<\/sup> April 1945 and soon established a regular Newsletter for members.<\/p>\n

Membership quickly expanded, including many members from overseas, and the Golden Age of Phillumeny had definitely begun.<\/p>\n

Organisations like the Girl Guides and Boy Scouts promoted collecting through their \u201cbadges\u201d schemes and in most schools the children could be seen swapping and exchanging items. The golden age of Phillumeny had truly begun and Phillumeny clubs started in many countries like Holland, Australia and France.<\/p>\n

Members of our Society frequently describe their early days of collecting in the 1950s and 60s, the joy they had looking in the gutter and picking up new (often tatty) matchboxes to add to their collections and then swap with other similarly enthusiastic youngsters.<\/p>\n

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1930s newspaper article<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sadly, and for many reasons, those days are long gone, although their memory still burns brightly.<\/p>\n

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Famous royal collectors<\/h2>\n
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King Farouk<\/strong><\/a> of Egypt (reigned 1936 \u2013 1952) was a well known collector who corresponded regularly with members of the Society. Once, in the 1950s, he chartered a private plane to fly to Copenhagen in order to purchase a single matchbox label worth DKK 4,000.<\/p>\n

The King of Siam (now Thailand), Chulalongkorn<\/strong><\/a> (1853-1910), was also a keen collector.<\/p>\n

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A J Cruse 1946<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Phillumeny in print<\/h2>\n

In 1946 A J Cruse published the world\u2019s first book on Phillumeny, entitled \u201cMatchBox Labels of the World\u201d, and hobby magazines like The Phillumenist and The Matchbox Label soon started appearing.<\/p>\n

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Two of Joan Rendell’s books<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During the 1960s Joan Rendell<\/strong><\/a> MBE (1921-2010) published books on Phillumeny, which aimed to generate more interest in the hobby and share knowledge, and could be found in most public libraries up and down the country.<\/p>\n

Phillumeny clubs started in many countries like Holland, Australia and France, and many of these are still active.<\/p>\n

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A selection of Society magazines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Our Society actively promotes the hobby of Phillumeny, welcome new members and encourages and publishes research into the many and varied aspects of the match industry across the world. We publish a fact-filled magazine six times a year and have active Social Media channels.<\/p>\n

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What do Phillumenists collect ?<\/h2>\n

The range of physical items which Phillumenists collect is almost limitless, although a primary aim of most collectors is to acquire knowledge about their treasured items as well as the physical examples.<\/p>\n

In collections you might find : complete matchboxes, complete bookmatches, individual matchbox labels and flattened bookmatches, collectors’ albums, advertising posters, metal signs, wax vesta tins, bar strikers, matchbox holders (grips), postcards, trade cards advertising matches, even cigarette cards showing match puzzles, <\/span>branded ashtrays, playing cards, drink coasters, match dispensers, tea towels, wooden shipping crates, cardboard packing cases, original pieces of artwork, books, catalogues, match factory share certificates, match company letterheads and business materials, and even match making machinery. The list is endless.<\/p>\n

Most phillumenists tend to specialise in particular aspects of the hobby, for example a favourite country, manufacturer or theme (like shipping, animals or flags). Of course, it is hard to know when (or if) you have collected everything that exists about a specialist topic, and in fact one of the great pleasures of the hobby is that you are always learning.<\/p>\n

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Swedish “Nursery Land” and “Pygmy” labels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Sets and series<\/strong><\/h2>\n

From the late 19th<\/sup> century up to the present day collectors have been attracted by sets of labels and series of bookmatches.<\/p>\n

Two of the most famous sets are the \u201cNursery Land\u201d and “Pygmy” series from Sweden.<\/p>\n

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Sets and Series<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Nursery Land Series<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
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T\u014dkaid\u014d Road<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
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Old Cornish Mines<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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A selection of hardware items, Phil Stringer collection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hardware and Ephemera<\/h2>\n

As well as matchboxes, matchbox labels and bookmatches, many collectors also have items like metal vesta cases, grips, ashtrays, advertising posters and postcards in their collections which are all related to the hobby. These are usually referred to as Hardware and Ephemera, and provide a fascinating insight into the match industry and of course are often beautiful objects in their own right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Hardware and Ephemera<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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An introduction to hardware<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
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Indian tin match adverts<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
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Postcards from Bryant & May<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Starting a collection<\/h2>\n

People start collecting for many different reasons. Sometimes it is just a passing phase, but for many it is a life-long passion that gives endless hours of enjoyment, opens up a fascinating world where you can meet people from all walks of life and continue learning about the history of match making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
How I started collecting<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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When I started collecting<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
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How a TV valve led to a lifetime\u2019s hobby<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
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How the humble matchbox shaped my life<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Future of the industry and the hobby<\/strong><\/h2>\n

After a period of expansion during the mid-20th<\/sup> century the match industry began to consolidate and contract, adjusting to market forces. The last match factory in the UK closed in 1994 (the Bryant & May works in Liverpool), and the same trend can be seen across Europe. Swedish Match<\/strong><\/a> is still the dominant match maker in the world today, but in the 21st<\/sup> century it has dramatically reduced its production numbers and product lines and has diversified into other areas such as firelighters.<\/p>\n

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Modern speciality boxes, \u00a9 Archivist Gallery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Interestingly, the market for artisan candles has grown significantly in the last twenty years and alongside that specially-designed boxes of (often) extra-large matches have appeared, breathing new life into the industry.<\/p>\n

Also, with the emergence of the digital age the desire to acquire physical objects has significantly decreased, even though people\u2019s demand for knowledge about these objects is seemingly unquenchable. This challenges the traditional model of collecting where phillumenists like to own, hold and touch their collections.<\/p>\n

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Many websites now exist providing lots of pictures of matchboxes and matchbox labels together with significant research information describing the objects, and Social Media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have an increasing number of beautiful, informative and enthusiastic posts, which is very encouraging.<\/p>\n

Today, collecting matchboxes, labels and bookmatches is an accessible and affordable way to engage with history, design and culture. On-line auctions and social media have transformed the way labels are advertised, sold and swapped. The market for specially designed boxes of (often) extra-large matches has grown breathing new life into hobby and collectors have found new innovative ways of displaying their labels and bookmatches so that their collections are proudly on view.<\/p>\n

John Walker’s legacy<\/h2>\n

The match was mans\u2019 first reliable, easy and convenient method of making fire. It is really not so different from rubbing two sticks together to make fire. But when you use a match you are close to the flame, you can control it, though of course it can be dangerous if you do not know how to handle it. But the Match is the preferred means of ignition for all those occasions when we want to have fun, to enjoy ourselves and to celebrate our success as a species. It is a comfortable, familiar product that belongs in every home, and still in demand today for lighting candles, barbeques and the like.<\/p>\n

John Walker was a respected local businessman in Stockton-upon-Tees and discovered something unique which had a fundamental impact on the lives of millions of people across the world. Although he never patented his invention, nor sought to profit from it, other people developed and refined his ideas and the manufacturing process to become a global industry.<\/p>\n

We think that John would have been amazed but extremely proud to see what grew out of his 1826 invention.<\/p>\n

Not only has the match simplified life for billions of people over the last 200 years, the countless matchbox labels and bookmatches leave a colourful legacy for future generations.<\/p>\n

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Phillumeny<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now, 200 years on from John Walker\u2019s life-changing invention, the significance of fire to man has not diminished but the dominance of matches as the primary way to instantly make fire has unfortunately dramatically reduced. The world-wide industry which grew out of Walker\u2019s invention was at its peak in the late 19th<\/sup> and early 20th<\/sup> centuries, employing tens of thousands of people worldwide (though not always in safe working conditions), and was so lucrative that the economies of several countries harnessed it to boost their exchequers. The collecting craze started by the Victorians continues today with our wonderful hobby of Phillumeny, which is always adapting to the changing availability of matchboxes and matchbox labels.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/strong><\/a> to return to the Exhibition Catalogue.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Period covered : 1945 to today The collecting habit, which had begun in Victorian times amongst wealthier families, exploded after the Second World War. Mass production, lower prices, improved wages and increased leisure time encouraged many to start collecting. Phillumeny is the name The name given to the hobby of collecting matchboxes is \u201cPhillumeny\u201d, derived from […] Read more<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1402","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/phillumeny.com\/johnwalker\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1402","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/phillumeny.com\/johnwalker\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/phillumeny.com\/johnwalker\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phillumeny.com\/johnwalker\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phillumeny.com\/johnwalker\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1402"}],"version-history":[{"count":105,"href":"https:\/\/phillumeny.com\/johnwalker\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1402\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3305,"href":"https:\/\/phillumeny.com\/johnwalker\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1402\/revisions\/3305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/phillumeny.com\/johnwalker\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}