Matchbox

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This 'Scottish Bluebell' matchbox dates from the early 20th century and represents a way in which safety matches were being packaged for a home market.

The term 'bluebell' refers on the one hand to the blue heads of the phosphorous match and evokes on the other hand the popular song 'The Bluebells of Scotland'.

Sulphur matches or 'spunks' have a long history, and may have been used by the Romans. Chemical methods of making fire were developed in the late 18th century and in the 1830s the first phosphorous matches - 'Congreves' - were introduced.

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-379-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MGP 61
• Date: Early 20th century
  
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• Subject: Matches, of all kinds and containers (NMAS Classification)
  
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• Description: 'Scottish Bluebell' matchbox, early 20th century
  
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