MATCHBOX MUSEUM.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17937, 4 December 1923, Page 2

MATCHBOX MUSEUM.

CONTAINS. NEARLY FIVE HUNDRED VARIETIES. Matchboxes of all shapes, sizes,, and nations are collected by Mr Arthur F. Samme, of the White Hart Hotel, Kipley, Surrejj who has 476 varieties and 28 different kinds of matches. This matchbox museum is the pride of the village, where the addition of a new specimen to -the collection causes much excitement and expert criticism. "I have been collecting for 14 years," said. Mr Samme to. a "Daily Maxi" reporter. "There is" as mucii fascination in matchboxes as there is in, say, old snuffboxes, pewter, rare stamps, and scarabs. Also the hobby has the advantage of not being expensive. My matchboxes come irom all over the world, and they are brought to me chiefly by motor-car drivers, lorry drivers, and commercial travellers, though some are 6ent by post. I don't known of any rival colector, bo I get' the pick of the market. "Here's a. queer one," Baid Mr Samme, handling a . contraption of wood. that looked like a mouse-trap. "That's Spanish, th© artistically painted one is Italian, and that black affair wiih the > strange characters is *Japanese. That big fellow is American, and this little chap, no bigger than your finger-nail, is German. Tcat 'Rob Boy spunks' is fairly scarce, and this VUobur' is a* genuine bit of old English work. Those Bristol specimens are not bad, aad the Irish box took me some time to'get.'' "Do'you get auy forgeries?'' asked th© reporter facetiously. "I don't think one could pass me," replied Mr Samme seriously. "You show mo $ matchbox, and I 'll tell you at onoe whether or not I have a specimen iainr moseuml"