What is this matchbox with donkey and mouse inside?

[pike1313]

This is a wooden matchbox it is from Norrköpings tändsticksfabriker, I believe it is Sweedish. When you push the box one way a mouse climbs out of the box, when you push it the other way you see a donkey. Can anyone tell me any more about the matchbox, and does anyone have any idea when the donkey and mouse was added to the box? Was it at the factory or could it have been just some arts and craft project?

The first picture is a picture that I found on the internet that shows the complete decal, the rest of the pictures are of my actually box.

 

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[creskol]

Here is some info on the company, which you probably already found: http://tinyurl.com/6ltwtsy

I imagine somebody put the mouse and donkey in the box as keepsakes.

I know as a kid, I use to stuff do-dads in the old Diamond Match boxes.

 

[digging wv]

The side with the mouse looks like it has a roller on it. I imagine it's a novelty of some sort. You said the mouse comes out. Looks like the roller is part of that.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

The side with the mouse looks like it has a roller on it. I imagine it's a novelty of some sort. You said the mouse comes out. Looks like the roller is part of that.

I agree with the roller its probably a novelty item and not one of a kind. We have a member from Sweden., maybe he can help. I sent Dano a PM.

 

[rocky raccoon]

folk art?

 

[Dano Sverige]

The side with the mouse looks like it has a roller on it. I imagine it's a novelty of some sort. You said the mouse comes out. Looks like the roller is part of that.

I agree with the roller its probably a novelty item and not one of a kind. We have a member from Sweden., maybe he can help. I sent Dano a PM.

Thanks for the PM BCH. I've asked a few people here in Sweden about this box, including my girlfriend and her mother who hail from Norrköping originally. They look at me like i'm crazy, which is a normal reaction from Swedes where i'm concerned!
Nobody remembers anything like this and most,including me, seem to think it's a novelty or promotional item. Sorry i can't be more help.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

This is hard to Google in Swedish but there are many "mouse in matchbox" novelty items but no matches.
http://www.google.com/search?q=mous...f.,cf.osb&fp=59941d85c3bebff7&biw=941&bih=588

 

[DCMatt]

I think it is an early version of the "flip a coin" app you can get for your smart phone. Mouse means "do it". Donkey means... well, you get he idea.

I first thought it had something to do with "I don't give a {south end of a north bound rat}." But I don't know if that translation works in Swedish.

Either way it is a pocket novelty item for Uncle Sven to entertain the nieces and nephews. Ingrid, come and check uncle's pockets for the funny matchbox!

DCMatt