For Sale

NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN CHIEF MATCH SAFE, STERLING BY R. WALLACE & SONS, C. 1900, RARE

Native American Indian chief match safe featuring a bold Indian design on one side, reverse is plain with a monogram. The bezel is marked “Sterling”, “835” and the maker’s mark for R. Wallace & Sons, Wallingford, CT. It’s 2 1/2 x 1 3/4 inches with a striker to the bottom. The interior is gold gilded. Very good condition with a strong lid spring. It has some small dings and the seam mark shows on the top of the lid.

SOLD

Item #2955

FIGURAL PORCELAIN GOAT MATCH SAFE, LITTLE PEOPLE TYPE, ORIGINAL LID, C. 1880

Figural porcelain match safe in the image of a goat wearing a jacket and top hat with its original brass lid. This type of match safe/match holder is commonly referred to as “Little People” and is featured in THE MYSTERY OF THE LITTLE PEOPLE book by Stephen J. Horvat. This is one of the less common varieties and measures 3 x 1 3/4 inches. The bottom has a “raked” line striker. It’s in excellent condition with minor age wear. The hinge pin has an old repair/replacement. There is an old “inventory number”, “87-3661” on the lower back edge.

Price: $850 plus S&I

Item #5647

SKULL W/ SNAKE EMERGING FROM EYES AND MOUTH MATCH SAFE, STERLING, WEBSTER CO., C. 1900, UNCOMMON

Figural match safe in the shape of a skull with a snake emerging from its eyes and mouth, each side depicted differently. The bezel is marked “Sterling.”  It does not have a maker’s mark but other identical examples have been seen with the Webster Co., North Attleboro, MA mark. It’s 2 5/8 x 1 3/4 inches with a striker to the bottom. Excellent condition with a strong lid spring.

Price: SOLD

Item #6161

FIGURAL SARAH BERNHARDT MATCH SAFE, STERLING BY HOWARD STERLING CO., C. 1890, UNCOMMON

Figural Sarah Bernhardt match safe. Bezel is marked “Sterling” and the maker’s mark for Howard Sterling Co., Providence, RI. It measures 2 1/2 x 1 3/4 inches with a striker to the bottom of the lid. There is a loop to the top for attachment to a chain. It’s in excellent condition with a strong lid spring.

Price: SOLD

Item #6131

FIGURAL PORCELAIN LADY MATCH SAFE, LITTLE PEOPLE, ORIGINAL LID, C. 1880

Figural porcelain match safe in the image of a standing lady with its original brass lid. This type of match safe/match holder is commonly referred to as “Little People.” This is one of the less common smaller types, measuring 2 3/4 x 1 inch. The grit striker is to the bottom and most of the grit has worn off. Very good condition, no chips or damage although there are overall signs of crazing. The light spots in the photos are camera glare, they are not on the match safe.

SOLD

 

SCRIBNER MAGAZINE MATCH SAFE, ENAMEL ON STERLING, BY GORHAM MFG., 1891, RARE

This match safe was made for Scribner Magazine by the Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, RI. A total of 100 were made and each one bears the Gorham maker’s mark, sterling, special order #2867 and 1891 date mark. Scribner presented the match safes to various publishing luminaries with their names engraved on the back. This one belonged to “Mr. Faxon”, Frederick Winthrop Faxon, owner of the F. W. Faxon Publishing Co.

The match safe is enamel on sterling, 2 1/8 x 1 1/2 inches with a striker to the bottom. Excellent condition with a strong lid spring. It has a small chip to the lower left corner.

Price: $1500 plus S&I

Item #5794

FIGURAL BIRD CAGE & BIRD MATCH SAFE, JAPANESE, BRASS, C. 1895

Japanese bird cage with bird and flowers match safe, both sides the same. Brass with a push button lid release, measures 2 1/8 x 1 1/4 inches with a striker to the bottom. Excellent condition with a strong lid spring.

Sold

NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN MATCH SAFE, STERLING, GOLD GILDED FEATURES, C. 1900

Native American Indian match safe with gold gilded face and feathers, peace pipe and war axe below. Reverse is plain with elaborate monogram. Bezel marked "Sterling" with a gold gilded interior.

Measures 2 3/8 x 1 7/8 inches with a striker to the bottom. Excellent condition with strong lid spring. It has a few small edge dings.

Price: Sold

Item #5626