Thursday, April 21, 2011

A matchbook made in New York

On Tuesday, Jeremiah wrote about the swizzle sticks at Sardi's (and the bar itself...) That evening, I randomly found myself in Gallagher's on 52nd Street ... I thought Gallagher's might be a candidate for swizzle sticks. No. However...


I did help myself to a matchbox, something I typically appreciate... in part, because, uh, I used to collect them. So, perhaps some slow news day, I'll break them out for a post...

Meanwhile, here are some vintage NYC restaurant matchbooks from the Matchbook Museum.












Matchbooks are also a popular subject at Lost City. Check out this link, where Brooks shares a few matchbooks from some now-shuttered 1990s-era East Village cafes and restaurants.

6 comments:

VH McKenzie said...

These are charming, they'd make cool posters! I particularly like the old-school telephone number format on some of them - TEmpleton-8!

Marty Wombacher said...

Love these! Break out the collection already, I want to see them! Sad that Gallaghers didn't have swizzle sticks.

Lisa said...

Grieve, these are seriously awesome; I echo Marty's request that you please list more. (I have a swizzle stick from Sammy's on the Bowery, Wee Gee's old hangout, it's one of my most cherished possessions.)

EV Grieve said...

Well! Let me find my fireproof container!

Laura Goggin Photography said...

Hmm...I have a box of matchbooks that actually came with my apartment ages ago...will need to dig those out tonight. I believe my dad also has a collection of match boxes (in addition to swizzle sticks and cocktail napkins) from the 50s and 60s. When I was a kid I wanted Legos (or Lincoln Logs), but Santa never came through, so I remember building houses out of match boxes instead. Gee, I feel old now.

lauran said...

love learning about fellow phillumenists! thanks for sharing.