✅ SOLVED Help With ID/ Age On Old Match Safe/Vesta

[diggummup]

Any ideas as to what the two letters stand for on this old match vesta? L on the top left and F on the top right.
I was thinking maybe Lucifer for the L because matches were once called lucifers , but I can't find one similar. Any ideas as to age on this? Maybe turn of the 20th century + or - 20 years? It's slightly unusual in the design with the front opening lid. Most open from the side at the top. It's 2 3/4" tall x 1 1/4" wide x 7/16" thick. Metal is magnetic. Here's the pics...

 

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[ARC]

Dig... Saw your post and decided to take a looksee into it...

Research revealed...

Nada.

Sorry could not help your solve.

 

[ARC]

BTW... I was sorta on the "miner" impression from the motif and looksied that path.

 

[jewelerguy]

I've looked using several different search terms to no avail. It seems that most examples of any match safes shown online are ones made of plated or polished brass and of course, silver. Yours looks to be made of tin. With the letters, it makes me think it was perhaps a promotional give away item. My best guess is it dates somewhere circa 1900-1915. It's really cool. Only one I've ever seen that opens that way.

 

[Mackaydon]

Dig:
The lion may represent Britain.
The slang word for cigarette in Britain is 'fag'; which might be the "F" letter on your item.
Sure, that's a stretch, but since you asked......
Don..

 

[Anduril]

Maybe the "L" and "F" are for "Lion Firelighter"?

Link: Lion Firelighters - Lion Match Products (Pty) Ltd

 

[diggummup]

BTW... I was sorta on the "miner" impression from the motif and looksied that path.

I thought that at first also. But the more I look at it the more it looks like a hand plow in the background. I can see the guy has a pipe in his mouth and his hat looks unusual in my opinion.

I've looked using several different search terms to no avail. It seems that most examples of any match safes shown online are ones made of plated or polished brass and of course, silver. Yours looks to be made of tin. With the letters, it makes me think it was perhaps a promotional give away item. My best guess is it dates somewhere circa 1900-1915. It's really cool. Only one I've ever seen that opens that way.

I thought it was tin at first also but it's not, it's strongly magnetic. I believe it may have been galvanized steel originally and it seems to have a small amount of zinc pest growing on the backside. Also. you can see rust on the high spots and/or areas where the coating (or what have you) has worn away. One of my first thoughts were of an advertising or promotional item, because of the letters and the lessor materials used in making it, compared to other match safes.

Dig:
The lion may represent Britain.
The slang word for cigarette in Britain is 'fag'; which might be the "F" letter on your item.
Sure, that's a stretch, but since you asked......
Don..

Maybe the "L" and "F" are for "Lion Firelighter"?

Link: Lion Firelighters - Lion Match Products (Pty) Ltd

Both good avenues to check. Thanks.

 

[ARC]

Plow in the background ? ? ?

Well thennn.... why didn't you say so.... :P

Letssss see then...

 

[mcmich]

No clue. You can submit pictures on matchsafe.org. They offer identification services. See museum tab. Affiliated with the International Match Safe Association. Yes, there is an International assc.

 

[ARC]

After a valiant effort... Nada again.

 

[Mackaydon]

Maybe the man is in the military, holding a trench shovel with a piece of wheeled artillery shown in the background.
Yes, I have 'enhanced' my coffee this AM.
Don......

 

[diggummup]

No clue. You can submit pictures on matchsafe.org. They offer identification services. See museum tab. Affiliated with the International Match Safe Association. Yes, there is an International assc.

Thanks for the link. I sent them the information and will update with anything I hear.

 

[diggummup]

I received an email back from George Sparacio at Mr Vesta's Match Safes, pocket match safe collector, match case ...

Neil Shapiro forwarded you request seeking information on your match safe.
Quite frankly, I can only provide you with a limited amount of information. I have never seen this particular match safe in the past. Based on over 30 years of experience, I'm fairly certain this match safe was American made in the 1860-70's. Most likely the match safe was made by a small, local type workshop. There is a good probability that the L & F letters are that of the maker or inventor of the match safe. I'm saying this because over the years I have seen the use of the maker's initials incorporated on other match safes in a similar fashion. It is doubtful that the L & F are advertising or promotional related. This match safe dates prior to the period they became an advertising means in the U.S.

I hope this information help. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

George Sparacio
Mr Vesta's Match Safes, pocket match safe collector, match case