matchbox labels

we've been fascinated by matchbox labels ever since our 2004 trip to japan. we found a small pile of vintage matchboxes in a kyoto street market and gently hand-carried them home.  (i realize i have never photographed 'em. putting that on my to do list now.)  they're tiny, functional works of art.

that little assortment made me seek out others who collect matchbox labels. that's when i found maraid, who's been our flickr contact for years now.

while trolling the excellent flea markets of berlin, we found the motherlode of czech matchbox labels - over 4500 of them to be exact.

check out the brilliant colors and fantastic mid-century graphics!







i am not exactly sure what i am going to do with over four thousand of these things.  i've got thoughts.  stay tuned.