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This lot includes approximately 60+ vintage Japanese matchboxes, each originally produced for establishments such as restaurants, coffee houses, wine bars, hotels, clubs, and transportation-related venues. The designs feature a wide range of mid-century Japanese graphic styles, including bold typography, illustrated logos, animals, architectural motifs, nightlife advertising, and Western-influenced branding.
Most matchboxes include handwritten notes on the inner sleeves documenting details such as:
- City and venue
- Dates (primarily 1967–1968)
- Meals, snacks, or travel context (e.g., lunch, dinner, train, hotel stay)
A small number of boxes are unmarked but remain original to and consistent with the collection in period, style, and origin.
Highlights within the collection include:
- Hotel matchboxes (Sapporo Grand Hotel, Hakone area hotels, regional inns)
- Restaurants and cafés, including Western-style dining venues
- Bars, wine bars, and nightlife locations
- Transportation and travel-related pieces
- Several visually striking and culturally notable designs, including entertainment venues and graphic standouts
The matchboxes remain grouped together exactly as preserved, maintaining the integrity of the original travel very good vintage condition for paper ephemera of this age. Boxes show light edge wear, surface wear, and age toning consistent with use and storage. Handwritten inscriptions are legible and intact. No significant structural damage observed.
Please review all photos as they are part of the description.
