WHY DO YOU LIKE AND COLLECT MATCHES?
I started collecting matches years ago when my former punk rock father gifted me his leather motorcycle jacket he’s had since the 1970s. I reached in the pocket and discovered a worn matchbook with just one match left - a matchbook from the @parkplazaboston in Boston, where he used to work and hang out. It had to have been in his pocket since I was a baby (I’m 30), since he stopped wearing that leather jacket shortly after I was born. I thought “Wow, what a neat snapshot into the past!” Holding that matchbook in my hand felt like holding a piece of my dad’s life, all the fun and crazy rock’n’roll adventures he had wearing that jacket and striking those matches. From that point on, I started to collect matches from whatever travels I took or memorable nights I had, so I could think about that experience each time I light a match. They’re also very practical and travel-friendly souvenirs!
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ONES AND WHY?
My favorite ones are, from left clockwise: the yellow and red matchbox is from Trinidad. Although these matches are completely ubiquitous there, I spent one of the most magical and awe inspiring weeks of my life visiting last year. @santambroeus is a restaurant in New York - now there are a few, I think! When I was visiting a friend in New York before I moved here years ago, she took me to the one in the Upper East Side and I felt so big city chic! Since then, every time I need to remember why I live in New York, I visit here before heading to the @metmuseum. Also, isn’t it their branding just the cutest??? Lastly, the Park Plaza one I describe above. I keep this under lock and key so no one uses that last match…I should probably get it framed!
WHEN AND HOW DO YOU LIKE TO ENJOY YOUR MATCHES?
My match collection has now expanded to a few bowls, sorted by every day use and “please do not touch these are sacred memory matches.” It’s gotten to the point in which friends and family bring me matches from their travels and special nights because they know how much I love them!
