The history of the matchbox label provides a fascinating pictorial guide and reference to social history. From football fixtures to movie stars, steam engines to Soviet block propaganda, this book gives a unique insight into society, leisure, music, politics and history. When matches first appeared, the manufacturer had to decide how best to embellish the container of such a simple product, to make it appear to be a more desirable and more memorable product than any of its main competitors. Taking the reader from the beginnings of the matchbox industry through to its golden age in the years leading up to the First World War, the huge range of images depicted in this book from all around the world, show the mass communication potential of the matchbox label.