RMS BULLETIN NO. 578 January/February 2016

by Mike Prero

The earliest known Political cover, as far as I know, is ―Al Smith for President, 1928‖. That gives Political collectors some 88 years to play with, so far. Within those almost nine decades are some quite historical and especially collectible covers. There‘s a 1940 Wilkie Pull-Quick, for example, which is a good example of the oldies that exist in this category. On the newer side, there are patriotic sets issued for Goldwater, Nixon, JFK, and others. There are at least two different ―sticky backs‖ issued for Eisenhower, etc.

Dave Kennaday, PA, reported 1,108 Major, as of October 1987; Dave later reported a total of 7,535 for all Political cov- ers as of December 2000. Although there is no Political list- ing, as such, there is at least a Presidential listing (Pat Grif- fiths, 1987-1988). I don‘t believe it‘s ever been updated, though.

What constitutes ―Major Political‖? Presidents, Senators, Congressmen...but I also include governors, since there are only 50. continued on p.3 2 RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578

The President’s Message Largest Collections Numbers

I hope that everyone had a nice The May/Jun issue starts off our report on the Thanksgiving. I imagine our matchcover detailing largest ever known collections (by category). This will be on the back burner until after the only happens once every five years, so if you be- holidays. There will be a need for auction lots and lieve that you have a sizeable collection in any displays for all the upcoming events after the New category, please send in the info to the Ed. now. Year begins. The cut-off for numbers submission is March 15th. Check out the RMS bulletin for details, and of course, all your clubs' bulletins. Counts have to be exact; no estimates, no dupes, no trading stock. This is how many covers/boxes Happy Holidays to everyone and your families. you actually have in your Lobster collection, Res- taurant collection, etc. RMS President, Depending on available bulletin space, little- Carry van Tol collected categories may be dropped from the re- port (i.e., orchids, herons standing on one foot, ______etc.). The report will run through three issues, Are Your Dues Due? May-Oct.

THE RMS BULLETIN We‘re entering a new year, and January 1st, especially, is when a lot of clubs have dues due. The RMS Bulletin is a bimonthly publication of the Save all of those harried membership secretaries a Rathkamp Matchcover Society. RMS dues are $20 headache and check to see if you should send in (single), $25 (single) for Canada and $35 (single) for your dues now. Most clubs have your dues due overseas. Add. family members are $4 each. Dues are to be submitted to Treasurer. All articles, date on the mailing envelope, in the bulletin itself, advertisements, comments, and letters should be sent or someplace where you can check. to the Editor. Publication dates are: Sept., Nov., Jan, Mar., May, and Jul. Deadline for all submissions is 30 days before the publication month. This publication is owned by the Rathkamp Matchcover Society and is made available for public distribution through first class (Canadian and overseas) and bulk mail rates.

RMS WEB SITE: http://www.matchcover.org

RMS OFFICERS (2014-2016):

If you‘ve never seen the Bulletin in full President: Carry Van Tol, 402 Cowan Dr., Elizabeth, color, you don‘t know what you‘re missing! PA 15037 E-Mail: [email protected] Make the switch to e-bulletins. They‘re crisper, 1st V.P.: Marc Edelman, 8822 Hargrave St., Philadelphia, PA 19152-1511 E-Mail: clearer, and...simply dazzling. They also don‘t get [email protected] lost in the mail, don‘t arrived banged up and mu- 2nd V.P.: Nancy Smith, 3810 Edinburg Dr., tilated, and don‘t arrive late. In fact, you get Murrysville, PA 15668-1060 them early! Secretary: Shirley Sayers, 1290 Corporation St., Beaver, PA 15009 [email protected] Membership/Treasurer: Linda Wolfe, 13 Creekstone Just let me know, and I‘ll switch you over from Drive, Mont Alto, Pa. 17237 the old hard copy, black & white bulletins. E-mail: [email protected] Editor: Mike Prero, 12659 Eckard Way Auburn, CA The Ed. 95603 E-mail: [email protected] RMS Bulletin May/JuneJanuary/February 1996, No., No. 460 5 78 3 3

4 RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578

RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578 5

Walk Where Abraham Lincoln Walked!

This August 14th to the 20th will see the Rathkamp Matchcover Society bringing their 3 ring circus of match collecting ro the Midwest. It's not under the big top but will be at home at the Wyndham Spring- field City Centre in downtown Springfield, Illinois.

How can a group spend a week collecting matches - you might ask. It's a family of collectors that's always looking to expand their membership list by offering freebie tables that will be well stocked all week. Dealers will offer specialty collections sold either individually or as a whole album of covers to members wanting to expand their own accumulations.

A highlight of the convention is the display room that will have plenty to offer non collectors to see. You will see specialty collections of common covers such as restaurants or banks. You also will see matchcovers representing The Mother Road - Route 66 or tributes to Springfield's favorite son - Abra- ham Lincoln. The "local" club sponsoring this years convention will present a trophy for the best Hon- est Abe display. The display room will be open Wednesday thru Friday and will offer a glimpse of the history of a nation. If you have an hour or two to stop by the display room you won't regret it.

Auctions for members, room hopping, specialty collector club meetings and a business meeting for the international club are features of the week long event. Out-of-towners will have an opportunity to visit the Abraham Lincoln home, the museum in tribute to our 16th President and even have an opportunity to see the state fair. What more can you ask for? That plus a chance to reconnect with your family of fellow collectors.

We'll see you August 14-20, 2016 at the 30 story Springfield hotel. You might even see some images of lions, tigers and bears at this years convention.

6 RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578

2015? Belarus City Crests Set Hans has 78 of these, but he believes that there are about 100 in the set. [Thanks again to Hans Everink, Netherlands, for the continued info on European sets.]

RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578 7

Did You Vote In The 1932 Election?

I think I may have missed that one...but you may have participated. Let‘s see...You‘d have to have been at least 21 in 1932...It‘s 2016 now, so add 84 to 21...That means you‘d be at least 105 today. Hmmmmm! Maybe we all missed that one.

Too bad, because I was hoping that someone could tell me if matchcovers, such as the one pictured here, were, in fact, actually used as voting ballots. I‘ve never seen or heard of that being the case, but I suppose it‘s possible, and the instructions on this cover certainly make it sound as if that was what was intended.

In any event, it makes this cover a very nice Major Political addition to any- one‘s collection. 8 RMS Army Air Forces

Lowry Field

Military training at Montclair, Colorado, began at the future airfield when the 1887 Jarvis Hall Military School opened. Montclair was incorporated into Denver in 1903, and Jarvis Hall burned down in 1904. At the military school site, the Agnes Phipps Memorial Sanatorium was established as a tuberculosis hospital in 1904. The City of Denver purchased the sanatorium for an airfield after a 1935 municipal bond vote. The WPA converted the sanatorium grounds into a Colorado military airfield. In February 1938, the airfield being installed adjacent to Fairmont Cemetery was assigned to the Air Corps Technical School headquartered at Chanute, and "the Denver branch of the Army Air Corps became an Army post of 880 acres."

Lowry Field was named on 11 March 1938, for 2d Lt Francis Lowry, the only Colorado pilot killed in WWI combat; and the paved runway opened on 4 April (1st used by a B-18 Bolo.) The sanatorium's main building became the Army post's headquarters, and the largest single barracks (3,200 men) was completed in mid-1940. Beginning July 16, 1940, the 1st class of the AAF bombardier schools was at Lowry and used the nearby bombing and gunnery range through 14 March 1941 graduating 3 classes of instructors who opened the Barksdale Field bombardier school.

Lowry training for Boeing B-29 Superfortress pilot qualification and for B-29 operational crew readiness began in 1943, and the base had a July 1943– Jan 1944 clerical school. In 1944, expansion of Lowry's airfield was planned and Lowry gained B-29 Flight Engineer training. In July 1947, formal courses in Intelligence Training were established at Lowry for combat reporting, photographic intelligence, prisoner of war interrogation, and briefing and interrogation of combat crews.

Lowry Air Force Base was designated on 24 June 1948 and on 26 August 1948 established all Lowry training organizations under the 3415th Technical Training Wing. Lowry provided Operation Hayride emergency response for people and livestock threatened by eighteen December 1948-January 1949 snowstorms from Utah to Kansas.

Lowry AFB was designated for closure by BRAC 1991. Most of the base is now the Lowry - Denver, neighborhood with 2 hangars used for the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, the former Building 1499 for the Big Bear Ice Rink, a dormitory for the Logan School for Creative Learning, and base housing for the Stanley British Primary School. RMS Bulletin September/OctoberJanuary/February, No.1996, 578 No. 462 9 9

American Snapshot: 1944

10 RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578

What You Never Knew About Valentine’s!

- The most popular theory about the origin of Valentine’s Day is that Emperor Claudius II didn’t want Roman men to marry during wartime. Bishop Valentine went against his wishes and performed secret weddings. For this, Valentine was executed, but while in jail he wrote a note to the jailor’s daughter, signing it “from your Valentine.”

- In Victorian times, it was considered bad luck to sign a Valentine’s Day card.

- Based on retail statistics, about 3% of pet owners will give Valentine’s Day gifts to their pets.

- App. 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged each year, making it the second largest seasonal card sending time of the year.

- If you’re single, don’t despair. You can celebrate Singles Awareness Day (SAD) instead!

- In Finland, Valentine’s Day is called “Friend’s Day,” and is more about remembering friends.

- Many believe the “X” symbol became synonymous with a kiss in Medieval times. People who couldn’t write their names signed with an X in front of a witness. The X was then kissed to show their sincerity.

- Girls in Medieval times ate bizarre foods on St . Valentine’s Day to make them dream of their future spouses.

RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578 11 - In 1537, England’s Henry VII declared Feb 14 as St. Valentine’s Day.

- Physicians of the 1800s commonly advides patients to eat chocolate to calm their pining for lost loves. [sounds good to me!]

- Richard Cadbury produced the first box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day in the late 1800s.

- More than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold for Valentine’s Day.

- 73% of people who buy flowers for Valentine’s Day are men, while 27% are women.

- 15% of women send flowers to themselves on Valentine’s Day.

- Over $1 billion worth of chocolate is purchased for Valentine’s Day.

- The red rose was the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love.

- Red roses are considered the flower of love because the color red stands for strong romantic feelings.

- 189 million stems of roses are sold in the US on Valentine’s Day.

- Women purchase app. 85% of all Valentine’s Day gifts.

- Teachers will receive the most Valentine’s Day cards, followed by children, mothers, and wives.

12 RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578

Just How Popular Were They? I

Since many of us collect the older manufacturers and specific trademarks, I thought it might be interesting to rank them according to how many of each are listed, taking such as at least a general indicator of just how comparatively popular and widespread they were with customers. The reasoning here would be the more popular types would have been produced in higher numbers (and probably over more years), eventually resulting in more covers to be listed. It‘s not perfect, since there are a variety of other factors that could, and probably did, affect the end production totals. For example, who knows how many different Midgets might have eventually been produced if World War II material needs hadn‘t caused their demise? And, of course, the current numbers listed here are not considered complete (except for Classiques). The point is, just keep in mind that this ranking merely gives us a general idea of how the various manufacturers and trademarked types fared compared to one another (some jobbers have also been included because of their importance). Also, unfortunately, such a ranking cannot be comprehensive since there are no listings on some manufacturers (no general Diamond or Universal listings, for example), and, by the same token, not all trademarked types have been listed, either. Still, we work with what we have, and see what we come up with...

Manufacturer/Jobber # Listed Book Match Co. 109 Metro PS P.F. 106 Federal Match Co. 3,631 Henseleit Match Co. 96 Crown Match Co. 3,234 American Match Co. (old) 82 Kaeser & Blair 2,738 Douglas 76 Chicago Match Co. 2,035 Bell Machine Co. 69 Advance Match & Prtg. 1,909 Standard Match Co. 67 Arrow Match Co. 1,318 Lone Star Match Co. 61 Merchants Industries 1,136 Rex Match Co. 61 King Midas Match Co. 922 Merchants Standard... 55 Star Match Co. 780 Art Match Co. 54 Jersey Match Co. 739 Federal Prtg. 51 Inter-State Press 670 Southwestern Match Co. 51 Willens & Co. 576 Standard Adv. & Prtg. Co. 49 American Match & Prtg. 482 Regal Book Match Co. 49 Advertizit Match Co. 447 Milwaukee Match Co. 48 Union Match Co. 372 Central Match & Label 46 Manhattan Match Co. 370 Coast Book Match Co. 45 Owname Match 362 Hamilton Match Co. 42 David Lionel Press 360 Meyerson Press 40 Albert Pick mm 311 Merit Match Co. 39 Geiger Bros. 235 Michigan Match Co. 36 Gem Match Co. 211 Allis Press 36 General Match Co. 189 Republic Match Co. (old) 36 Chapman Match Co. 181 Fleming Calendar Co. 34 E.I. Plottle 170 National Match Co. 33 Advance Match Co. 165 Consumers Press 33 Willats 163 Interstate Printing Service 32 All-Trades (mm) 159 Imprint Book Match Co 30 Publix 136 United Engr. 29 Atlas Match Co. (old) 116 Royal Match Co. 28 Northwestern Printing 115 Atlantic Match Co. 26 RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578 13 Cincinnati Match Co. 9 Gopher Match Co. 26 Regal Match & Prtg 25 Hercules Match Co. 9 Acme Match Co. 24 Premium Match Co. 5 Empire Book Match Co. 24 Sheboygan Match Co. 5 Hellman Match Co. 18 Indiana Match Co. 4 Pacific Match Co. 15 Acorn Match Co. 4

Merchants Match 12 Florida Match Co. 4 Kentucky Match Co. 11 Coast Match Co. 3 Circle Match Co. 10 Lucky Match Co. 3 Clarke Match Co. 10 Hub Match Co. 2 Los Angeles Match Co. 10 Utah Match Co. 2

How To Open...Hard-To-Open Boxes!

The bane of everyone‘s life!...

Gayle Hofacker, OH: I just use a paring knife with a very thin blade and work at it slowly. It works well most of the time.

Terry Rowe, OH: Believe me, there is a knack to opening the hard-to-split boxes, mainly Japa- nese. Aces, Slims, etc. usually are no problem. Just make sure you are cutting on the seam. Be sure and use a dull knife. A sharp one will cut through everything. An Exact-o knife usually is too sharp so I use a kitchen paring knife or a dull pocket knife, even though I have had trouble with some.

John Bachochin, OK: Other than practice, the one thing that improved my success the most was using a knife that wasn't too sharp. Actually almost dull. With U. S. boxes I have better luck starting on the inside, Foreign boxes on the outside.

Toby Messmer, OK: I just do the best that I can do with the dullest paring knife that I own. As a point of interest, back in 1977, until they sold to the Swedish Co., Universal used high quality paper and really did a fine job of checking quality control, they had very few errors. From that time on they were harder to split because of the gray paper.

Gerry Goleman, FL: I now use a short (3‖) nail file, with good results. But, I previously had my fa- ther‘s ―Whitlin‖ pocketknife which was fantastic. However ,on my way to Toronto RMS the Home- land Security boys confiscated it! I had forgoten it Was in my display kit. Still miss it!

Regina Hardin, CA: I use a sharp pocket knife and gently pry it open along the seam /glue side.

Joe DeGennaro, NY: I open even the difficult boxes with my fingers. I hold the box with the striker side on the top of box that opens from the right and carefully pull the box away as I slide my finger along. You have to be careful with older boxes because they can be very brittle. Funny story - I visited with Bob Oliver and his wife in California many years ago and brought him a bunch of matches from New York, some of which were boxes. The next morning I found the boxes floating in the sink. I found out later that this was a long accepted method of opening boxes and apparently worked fine for those who used it. 14 RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578

Collecting Coal Covers by Duane W. Ready

Coal covers are interest to collect because — They are mostly old covers (I have very few rear strike covers in my collection). - Because they are older, there are quite a few low phone numbers (mainly 3 digit or lower). - They are nice looking covers and the commercial coal product names are very colorful (Great Heart, Red Parrot, Old Abe, Blank Arrow, Red Feather, Blue Beacon, Sunflower). - They are especially nice if you have some close affinity with them (as I do).

I recall John Williams who always had a dealer table and was as fair and reasonable as anyone but did place a high value on coal covers (I assume because they aren‘t around any more).

From the late 1800‘s to mid-1900‘s, ―coal was king‖ in Southwestern Pennsylvania where I grew up. During the time, coal powered locomotives, steam ships, steel production, cotton mills, flour mills, the world‘s machinery, and also heated the homes of the rich and poor. I could write about the coal towns and related patches, the company stores, the coal company strikes, and the many men who died digging coal. I‘m going to tell you, though, about my personal relationship with coal.

Many of my family and ancestors were coal miners in and around Fayette County, Pennsylvania. As my grandmother put it, my grandfather ―went into the Pits when he was 15 years old.‖ That would have been around 1910. He worked in the mines for 50 years, when he was forced to retire due to company policy. By then, many of the mines had been vertically integrated and owned by the steel companies.

The mines were a dangerous place to work, and he was lucky to leave with only an 8 inch steel bar in his forearm from an accident. And don‘t play that Tennessee Ernie Ford song ―Sixteen Tons‖ around my grandfather either. In respect for my grandfather, I am not going to repeat the words to the song. Just for the record, my brother worked in the mines, and a lot has changed for the better.

What I remember about coal was that I grew up in a house that was heated by two coal furnaces (they were called ‗hetrolas‘). There was an opening in the ceiling (it was about 18 inches square with a register covering it) to allow heat to go upstairs. We had a ―coal house‖ at the backyard where coal was coal was stored, and coal buckets on the back porch to bring in the coal. The other relevant aspect of coala furnaces was the ashes that had to be removed daily. You woke up in the morning, and the house was freezing cold since the fires went out overnight (unless someone got up during the night to keep them going).

I see in the latest ‗Largest Collections‘ listing that, as of 1990, Larry Bell had 2,231 coal covers. I have 1,965 and always looking for more.

RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578 15

A Peek At Other Bulletins Preserving That Collection; Las Vegas Club; Casino News [based on current issues on hand as of this writing] Sierra-Diablo MC: [Dec 2015] 8 pp. Full-color

(e-version) Collecting Coffee; Full-Length Buses; Angelus MC: [Oct-Dec 2015] 15 pp.+raffle flyer. Remembering Port Chicago; Colorado Springs‘ Club business. Quarterly Combo; Billy Berg; Kissing Camels; classified ads, auction Because The Night Belongs To Covers; Angelus/

Angeles; Los Angeles Heroes & Zeros; Draw Me Tobacco Club: [Oct 2015] 8 pp.+color insert. Dames; The History Detective;. Auction, raffle Club business; misc tobacco finds; 4:20 set

Denver Striker MC: [Nov/Dec 2015] 4 pp. Club Tri-State Cardinals MC: [Dec 2015] 10 pp. (5 business. Harley-Davidson; Howard Johnson‘s; in color), magazine format. Club business; Season‘s Greetings. Welcome To Illinois RMS 2016; Twelve Days of

Christmas; Christmas Jokes; Legend of the Empire MC: [Oct 2015] 8 pp. Club business. A Christmas Candle Great Find For Me At The UES Swapfest; Keystone-Lehigh Swapfest registration form; ______Empire-Garden State Holiday Party registration Pre-1896? form Mike Snyder, WA: Do you have any insight into Garden State MC: [Nov-Dec 2015] 8 pp. Club this matchbook cover? It has the 1892 mark, but business. Veterans Day; Red Apple Day; auction not the Approved No. 7 which is frustrating.?

Huggable Bears Club: [Oct 2015] 8 pp. Club Ed: Well, this type of mm business. Polar bear family reunion; misc bear is not listed by Bob finds Oliver in his listing of early Diamond mm‟s, Liberty Bell MC: [Nov 2015] 12 pp, magazine and we all know that format, full-color. Club business. 2015 RMS Diamond didn‟t start Display Awards; 2015 Keystone-Lehigh producing its Weekend; auction matchbooks until 1896, so...? But, I happened to Lone Star MC: [Nov-Dec 2015] 8 pp. Full-color find a reference to just (e-version). Club business. Soda; More Die-Cuts; this manumark in The Recipes; Rt. 66‘s El Rancho Hotel, Gallup, New Front Striker Bulletin, Mexico; Alabaster Caverns State Park; What‘s August 1989...by none Goin‘ On Elsewhere; classified ads other than Bob Oliver! He concludes that this Long Beach MC: [Nov 2015] 8 pp. Club type of cover is from the business. Voting; Dancing; Christmas Party info; 1892-1895 period. He auction, raffle,drawing doesn‟t say it‟s a Diamond cover, though, New Moon M&L Club: [Sep 2015] 11 pp.. Full- although it almost color (e-version). Club business. Group photo at certainly is. So, does this RMS; Misc. Box Finds; RMS Convention Report. mean we need to rethink the traditional 1896 Rocky Mountain MC: [Nov/Dec 2015] 6 pp.+4 inception date for covers. Club business. Delta, Colorado; Diamond covers? 16 RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578

The Quiet/Silent Woman

Do you notice a reoccurring theme here?

From the first time I saw a Quiet Woman cover, there was something that just struck a chord. I chuckle every time I see one, although I‘m not quite sure whether it‘s the cover or the memory of my ex-wife. On the back of one of the covers, there is a little history of where the name originates from.

―The Original Public House called ―The Quiet Woman‖ is located in Southcombe, Oxfordshire, England, and was built during the hectic days of restoration, about the year 1680. Charles II was King, civil war was a way of life, and highwayman ruled the countryside. The most notorious brigand of them all was the celebrated Black Jack.

Legend has it that the landlord of the Inn was away to Oxford one night, leaving his wife alone. Hearing noises, she feared it might be a highwayman, as the Inn was on their regular route. Very ―Quietly‖ she arose, very ―Quietly‖ she went down to the kitchen where she very ―Quietly‖ grabbed a large frying pan and very ―Quietly‖ but efficiently hit the intruder on his head, the trespasser turned out to be the infamous highwayman, Black Jack.

The only historical reference to this incident. is a painting showing the woman clutching a frying pan, standing over the body of Black Jack lying on the floor of the kitchen. The painting still hangs in the Quiet Woman Inn at Southcombe, England.‖

While I‘m not a Hotel/Motel/Restaurant collector, I know for certain that there are at least five 30-strikes and 2 20-strikes from The Quiet Woman....and I vaguely remember a box, as well, but I can‘t find it for verification. Notice the same-themed Silent Woman Jewelite. [This is an update of a 2005 article]

RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578 17

18 RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578

[Please check the Mail Box column for answers on last issue‟s query on ]

Worcester Art Museum Set

Anyone know if there are more of these Jewels? I only have these two.

If anyone has a definitive answer, please let us know....And, if you have a question about a set or series, send in a clear pic and details, and we‟ll see what information we can garner from our readers.

Merchants Standardized Printers was an old jobber, probably for one of the old, small manufacturers in the East, such as Manhattan Match Co. (late 1930s-early 1940s).

As usual, the covers, themselves, are not all that appealing. Age and comparative rarity are what they have to offer, plus most, but not all, sport a Safety First footer which always sparks a gleam in collectors‘ eyes.

55 covers currently listed, so you certainly don‘t see them that often.

Remember...Always check the manumark! RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578 19

More Bang For The Buck!

$5 annual member- ship gets you... Keystone/Lehigh Matchcover Club -12 beautiful, informative, full-color e- bulletins This Pennsylvania club was originally formed as the Lehigh Valley matchcover Club in 1954. In -12 of the best monthly bulletin auctions in 1987, it merged with the Keystone matchcover the hobby Club to form the Keystone-Lehigh Matchcover Club. The merger was due to poor attendance (a -The coolest membership card in the hobby chronic problem for most clubs), and that is why (they’ve even become collectibles themselves!) there‘s currently only one meeting a year.

-On-line support to help you with your hobby Keystone-Lehigh Matchcover Club currently questions and concerns. has Membership privileges includes voting at the annual meeting, submission of auction lots, and Membership application available at: displays at the swapfest. Anyone is welcome to http://matchcover.org/sierra attend and join in the fun, but only members may participate in the above manner. Dues are $3.00 annually. Error Corner The club holds only one meeting per year, and Here‘s a somewhat that‘s at its traditional annual Halloween swapfest unusual error as errors held in late October/early November of each year. go. Sometimes we see We try to put out 2 bulletins a year to keep no striker; sometimes members up to date on the events to be held at the we see partial strikers; swapfest. and sometimes we see strikers on the inside FMI: President Clem Pater, 315 South Front of the covers. Street, Hamilton, OH 45013 [email protected] But here‘s a partial striker ―smudge‖ on Swapfest Chairpersons are: the inside of a cover. Something obviously Marc Edelman ([email protected]) went awry during the Fred Costanzo ([email protected]) application process. Would this have been enough to reject the cover at the plant? Maybe not, even if it had been caught.

1020 RMS Bulletin RMS September/OctoberBulletin January/February 1995, No., No. 456 5 78 trademarks by the various companies has always The Mail Box appeared somewhat haphazard. Sometimes they‟re on the inside; sometimes they don‟t Alan Riley, MA: Power appear at all; and in the case of conjunctive of the press..you offered trademarks, one is almost always selected to be a classified ad in the last shown at the cost of the others (i.e. a Cameo- RMS bulletin and I took Foilite-Uniglo is usually just printed as advantage of it. I just got “Cameo”] an e-mail from a fellow collector and he found a Kevin Robinson, KY: [Ref last issue] Thank you sample of one of the 2 for the article on the 11th Airborne Division. Very covers I was looking for. Thank you. little is ever mentioned of this unit in which my father served with the 187th Regiment in Ed. I‟m always surprised more people don‟t take occupation duty as well as in the Korean War. He advantage of our free classified ads. started me collecting match covers when I was a boy. Dan Bitter, OK: Is this a goof or was this printed before the Feature logo came out? Ed. One of the delights of being Editor is that I never know what is going to strike a nerve with readers, so it‟s always a pleasure when I find that something actually has!

Duane Ready, PA: An interesting old cover from Ed. Well, I don‟t think this is an error. This my Billiard collection. It‘s particular Lion manumark ran from c. 1931- one of those long ones, c.1940, and Lion‟s Feature was introduced in and I don‘t recognize the 1930, so they existed together. It‟s possible, manumark (not on your perhaps, that this was an early Feature simply run listing either). What can under the then standard lion manumark. The you tell me about it-- selection and placement of manumarks and RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578 21 anything? the Union Match manumark is reversed. Nice one! Ed. Well, not much. It actually doesn‟t have a ______manumark; the footer is simply at the top instead Publicizing the Hobby? of the bottom, so we don‟t know who the manufacturer is. H. G. Brace & Company was a For the last 18 months or so I have received manufacturer and distributor of advertising hardly any input on collectors publicizing the calendars and novelties. At best, the company may hobby. Has that fallen out of popularity? have been responsible for printing the cover; at worst, it was the jobber, so I suppose that could If you‘ve had a newspaper article published count as the manumark. It definitely wasn't the about your collection, or have had a public display match manufacturer, though. set up somewhere, etc., please send me the details

as soon as possible so I can get the announcement Bob Stowe, NJ: Bob sent in this interesting error in the Bulletin. cover shown on the preceding page. Notice that “A Historic Exhibition In A

Surprising Space”

Bill Evans, KY, had a very nice write-up in the Sep-Oct? 2015 issue of Venue Magazine, spotlighting a great interview and his (then) upcoming displays at Madonna Manor, Villa Hills, KY. When Madonna Manor‘s new community center opens (right about now!), Bill‘s collection, along- side art from other artists‘ work, will grace the walks of the gallery for all to stroll through and see. ______

“A Collection Unmatched”

Marc Edelman, PA, had a big 1-page feature on his collection in the August 2015 issue of The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles. The article showed several of Marc‘s prized items and also con- tained a nice plug for RMS. 22 RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578

Hobby Glossary

Bits & Pieces Portuguese Comedian Set (II) - 1971 Portuguese set of 48 covers (24 pink/24 blue) with blue edges; there is also a variation of this set with a black bar under the striker. Hmmmmmm....Wh y does a cover from Portuguese Comedian Set (III) - 1972 Dayton, Ohio (which is Portuguese set of 72 covers (24 blue w/red edge; confirmed by the 24 yellow w/blue edge; 24 white w/red edge). manumark) say ―Historic Oregon‖? There‘s also Post-War Ships - see Navy Ships, US no reference to Oregon, or any explanation, on Poster Feature - Lion trademark for its postcard- the inside of the cover. Is width covers (9‖x6‖); introduced in 1956; Joel there an collector in Acus, OH, had 28 as of 11/05. Ohio that can confirm, perhaps that Dayton has Pouch - Admatch box trademark for its boxes an ‗Historic Oregon‘ with a fold-over flap; 1991-present. section of town (!). If so, I‘d certainly like to hear Pre-War - before December 7, 1941. the explanation for that one! Pre-War Ships - see Navy Ships, US

Or...is this just another Premier Match Co., Ltd. - defunct Canadian- great error cover?! based company; 1946-?.

Premium Match Co. - defunct Milwaukee-based company; dates not available. 5 covers currently listed. Answer to Last Issue’s Presidential - specialized Political category for Matchcover Mystery covers issued for Presidents or Presidential campaigns; Bob Oliver‘s, FL, collection “Which American manufacturer issued covers numbered 523 in 10/87. with detachable strikers?” Presidential Set - 1941 Diamond set of 32 ―Owname,‖ - Larry Cole, NY; Claude Pelletier, presidents (33 inc. error); incorrectly named CAN; Stan Tombs, CAN ―1933-34‖ set; error cover refers to Jackson as ―Stonewall Jackson‖ whereas the correct cover uses ―Old Hickory‖. Matchcover Mysteries: #120 Pressing - the process of flattening stripped “Which bank has issued the most covers over the covers, often in some sort of vise-like device. years?” [I hope this isn‟t a repeat; can‟t remember] Pride - Federal box trademark; ?-by 1940.

Answer in our next issue. Princess - Match Corp. trademark for its 10- strikes. RMS Bulletin January/February ,1996, No. 5 78No. 458 19 23

History 101 Cavaliers vs. Roundheads! ―Off with their heads! Off with their heads!‖ Ah, those were the days...

We‘re talking about the English civil war between King Charles I and the nobles on one side, and Oliver Cromwell, Parliament, and the bulk of the English people on the other. 1642-1651.

Charles I‘s side was referred to as the ‗Cavaliers‘, due to the swashbuckling fashions of the nobles (all those silks, ruffles, and feathers, don‘tcha know), while Cromwell‘s side was deemed the ‗Roundheads‘ because Cromwell and Parliament were Puritans, and the Puritans of the time had a rather distinctive bowl-shaped haircut (much like Moe of the Three Stooges).

Well, to cut to the chase, the Roundheads won; Charles I, as a potential absolute ruler, lost his head; and little Charles II was exiled to the French court. Cromwell and the Puritan Parliament ruled England without a king for the next ten years (the ―Commonwealth‖).

In that civil war, the Cavaliers suffered 50,000 casualties; the Roundheads lost 34,000; and there were 127,000 noncombatant deaths, including 40,000 civilians. [wikipedia]

While Cromwell had proved to be an effective leader, the Puritan Parliament had spent much of its time trying to ram Puritanism down the throats of the rest of the English population. When Cromwell died, the English people (being Anglicans) decided they had had enough of Puritans. It was pay-back time when the Puritans were finally ousted from power.

Thus it was that some ‗persecuted‘ Puritans decided life might be better in the New World. Hence the establishment of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. There was even a short-lived Puritan colony established in Nicaragua.

Today, Cromwell remains one of the most controversial figures in British history. Considered a regicidal dictator by some, a military dictator by others, a hero of liberty by still others, and a classic revolutionary by yet others, he was selected as one of the ten greatest Britons of all time in a 2002 BB poll.

When Charles II eventually regained the English throne, Cromwell‘s body was exhumed on January 30, 1661 (the 12 anniversary of the execution of Charles I), and posthumously executed. His body was then hanged in chains and then thrown into a pit. His severed head was displayed on a pole outside Westminster Hall until 1685. 24 RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578

21 “Feature” Girlies RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578 25 26 RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578 Yes, It’s That Grungy Rodent...Again!

Groundhog Day (Canadian French: Jour de la Marmotte; Pennsylvania German: Grundsaudaag, Murmeltiertag) is a day celebrated on February 2. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, then spring will come early; if it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will persist for six more weeks.

Modern customs of the holiday involve celebrations where early morning festivals are held to watch the groundhog emerging from its burrow.

In southeastern Pennsylvania, Groundhog Lodges (Grundsow Lodges) celebrate the holiday with fersommlinge, social events in which food is served, speeches are made, and one or more g'spiel (plays or skits) are performed for entertainment. The Pennsylvania German dialect is the only language spoken at the event, and those who speak English pay a penalty, usually in the form of a nickel, dime, or quarter per word spoken, with the money put into a bowl in the center of the table.

The first documented American reference to Groundhog Day can be found in a diary entry, dated February 4, 1841, of Morgantown, Pennsylvania,

The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where crowds as large as 40,000 have gathered to celebrate the holiday since at least 1886. Other celebrations of note in Pennsylvania take place in Quarryville in Lancaster County, the Anthracite Region of Schuylkill County, the Sinnamahoning Valley and Bucks County. Groundhog Day, already a widely recognized and popular tradition, received widespread attention as a result of the 1993 film Groundhog Day.

The day is observed with various ceremonies at other communities in North America, including in Wiarton, Ontario, at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park in Nova Scotia, and at the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas (which has what is claimed to be the second largest Groundhog celebration in the world).

According to Groundhog Day organizers, the rodents' forecasts are accurate 75% to 90% of the time. However, a Canadian study for 13 cities in the past 30 to 40 years found that the weather patterns predicted on Groundhog Day were only 37% accurate over that time period. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Groundhog_Day]

It‟s a cute and entertaining tradition, but I‟ve never understood the logic behind the forecasts. If it‟s sunny and the rodent sees its shadow...more winter! If it‟s cloudy, it means an early Spring. Wouldn‟t it make more sense if „sunny‟ foretold the earlier Spring? And why is it only a groundhog thing? Wouldn‟t the process hold true for your dog or cat? [Punxsutawney knows a good thing when it sees it, though!] RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578 27 “What % of your collection have you actually gathered yourself, from the actual businesses” 95% 2 80% 2 [November - 109 responding] 60% 1 50% 4 Note: Some of the lower responses are due to the fact that those particular 40% 5 collectors have very specialized interests. On the other hand, some of the 35% 2 high responses are from collectors who collect primarily from places visited. 33% 1 30% 3 Well, no real surprises here. Most collectors simply don‘t go out 25% 3 themselves and collect covers from the actual businesses and sites that may 20% 5 offer them. 67% of the respondents are at 10% or lower, with the biggest 18% 1 number of responses at ―less than 1%.‖ 15% 5 12% 3 In earlier times, when matchbooks freely flowed, the results would surely 10% 12 have been not so lopsided, but the overall conclusion has been the same since less than 10% 1 collectors started trading and buying. 7% 1 5% 7 Still, someone has to initially go out, find, and pick up those new less than 5% 7 matchbooks (both in the present and in earlier decades), so God bless those 3% 1 unsung heroes and heroines who keep us supplied right up to today! 2% 4 less than 2% 1 [Just as an aside, because I need a filler here...Do you know that the first 1% 10 time I used the term „heroines‟ in my 7th grade Literature classes, they less than 1% 21 honestly thought I was talking about drugs!...Says something about our 0% 7 culture, don‟t you think?] no clue 1

When you retire from the hobby...or retire from life...your collection will disappear. Most probably, it will be disassembled and eventually find its way into the collections of various other collectors. No one will know, nor long remember, what you managed to put together in the way of a collection. Col- lections, if not lost entirely, are continually being recycled into other collections.

How many people have gone through your albums and actually seen and admired your covers? All those years of time, expense, and effort, and almost no one to attest to your caring diligence and unique successes.

Why not scan your collection, or at least your favorite subcategories, and leave the resulting CD(s) for the perusal of friends, peers, and future collectors? Yes, it would take some time, but it would be a labor of love...just like collecting. 28 RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578 Meadow Dr., Camp Hill, PA 17011...... J/F16

SETS & SERIES LISTING: Just updated. 371 pp. Thousands of items listed. Available as .pdf file only. $15. Many other lists and references available at matchpro.org Contact Recent RMS Area Award recipients: [email protected]...... J/F16 -Denver Strikers MC - Marilyn Reese -New Moon - Graham Hubble WANTED: Transportation-related, as I also -Huggable Bears MC - Helen Hollmann collect tokens of the same. I buy, sell, and trade in stamps, coins, and misc. collectibles, and now Mea Culpa! Mea Culpa! I goofed on page 1 covers. Write me! Lou Zeelsdorf, RMS #9815, of the last issue. It should read Convention 2015! I 317 E. 8th St., Erie, PA 16503-1103 (814-860- was getting in info on the 2016 convention at the 9404...... J/F16 same time I was getting in the results of the 2015 convention. [Still, that‟s not bad. One mistake in LONE STAR MATCHCOVER CLUB is 70 years!...Well, OK, two, counting the ex-wife.. offering free e-bulletin membership for a year. Hmmm..then there was...Oh, never mind!] Just send check for $5 for handling to LaJuan Melendy, 6600 N. Eldridge Pkwy., Houston, TX CLUB PRESIDENTS! Please look at your club‘s 77041 (713-466-6266)...... J/F16 info on the CLUBS page of the RMS web site and send me any necessary updates. I need to know any time such changes are needed.

CLASSIFIED ADS

BIG BOY LISTING: I would be happy to email a copy of the listing or trade for covers from my want list at: [email protected] I have dupes of Big Boys midget, box (not in good condition) and 30‘s. Sorry but I have only one 40 strike cover in my collection. I would be more than happy to trade for Recommended by Duncan Hines covers or Big Boys from my want lists. Bob Hofacker...... J/F16

UPDATED SPORTS SCHEDULE BOOK: Copies are available for $30+postage. It is 253 pages which covers football, baseball, basketball, soccer, golf and much more. Updates to Group 1 sports covers are included. Charles Specht, 2306 Belmore Dr., Champaign, IL charlesspecht@ hotmail.com...... J/F16

WANTED: Bus-related covers in exchange for other transportation covers, including RR, Airlines, Taxi, etc. John Dockendorf, 448 RMS Bulletin November/DecemberJanuary/February, No. 1995, 578 No. 457 21 2 9

Why Did They Name It That?

by Jimmie Close

This is a ―Please, don‘t kill the messenger‖ story!

Heinrich von Manse was among the trappers who settled on the Red Axe River in Wisconsin. To work their trap lines, the trappers relied primarily on canoes for transport. The trappers would often overload the canoes, which would make them unstable and subject to capsizing. So, Heinrich designed and built a flat bottomed boat that had greater capacity than the canoe.

There was one drawback, however, The new boat was much more difficult to propel, especially when fully loaded. Often, when von Manse would return from tending his traps, struggling to get his overloaded craft to shore, the citizens of the settlement would rush to the river bank to offer encouragement with the chant, ―Row, Manse! Row, Manse!‖

What became known as the ―Row Manse‖ place evolved into the town of Romance, Wisconsin.

...and that‟s the way it was! 3022 RMS Bulletin RMS November/December Bulletin January/February 1995, No., No. 457 5 78 The Ol’ 5 and 10

Woolworth‘s, Kress...I remember them. Time‘s change. Now the closest we have is 99¢ stores. Woolworth‘s characterizes the 5 and 10 cent stores the best, perhaps...

The F. W. Woolworth Company was a retail company that was one of the original pioneers, and arguably the most successful American and international five-and-dime stores, setting trends and creating the modern retail model which stores follow today, worldwide.

The first Woolworth store was opened by Frank Winfield Woolworth on February 22, 1878, as "Woolworth's Great Five Cent Store" in Utica, New York. Though it initially appeared to be successful, the store soon failed. Searching for a new location, a friend suggested Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Using the same sign from the Utica store, Frank opened his first successful "Woolworth's Great Five Cent Store" on July 18, 1879, in Lancaster. Frank brought his brother, Charles Sumner Woolworth, who went by the nickname "Sum", into the business.

The two Woolworth brothers pioneered and developed merchandising, direct purchasing, sales and customer service practices commonly used today.

By 1904, there were six chains of affiliated stores operating in the United States and Canada. Between 1905 and 1908, members of the Woolworth Syndicate followed Frank's lead to incorporate their businesses. Sum maintained that he did not need to incorporate his stores. In 1912 the syndicate agreed to a scheme crafted by Frank Woolworth: to join forces and incorporate as one corporate entity under the name "F. W. Woolworth Company" in a merger of all 596 stores. The stock flotation raised over $30 million for the five founders of the merged chains. They all swallowed their pride and accepted Frank's name above the door, with Frank as President of the new Corporation. Sum Woolworth, Fred Kirby, Seymour Knox, Earle Charlton, and William Moore each became a Director and Vice-President. One of the "friendly rival" predecessor chains included several stores initially opened as Woolworth & Knox stores, as well as S. H. Knox & Co. 5 & 10 Cent Stores opened after an 1889 buyout by his cousin, Seymour H. Knox I. Knox's chain grew to 98 stores in U.S. and 13 in Canada by the time of the corporate consolidation. Fred M. Kirby added 96 stores, Earle Charlton added 35, Charles Sumner Woolworth added 15, and William Moore added two

Despite growing to be one of the largest retail chains in the world through most of the 20th century, increased competition led to its decline beginning in the 1980s. The chain went out of business in July 1997, when the company decided to focus on the Foot Locker division and renamed itself Venator Group. By 2001, the company focused exclusively on the sporting goods market, changing its name to the present Foot Locker, Inc.

Retail chains using the Woolworth name survive in Germany, Austria, Mexico, South Africa and, until the start of 2009, in the United Kingdom. Woolworths Limited, Australia, took their name from the original company, as it had not been registered or trademarked in Australia at the time.

[http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/F._W._Woolworth_Company]

RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578 31

RMS MEMBERSHIP REPORT – JANUARY/FEBRUARY SPONSOR

NEW MEMBER (*=will trade) 9834-Greg Lewis, 279 Ramsey Ln., Ballwin, MO 63021-4947...... RMS Web Site COLLECTS: Hotels/Motels, Contours, Beer, Rest., & Giants [email protected]

REINSTATED 9765-John Castleberry, 1006 Dunbar Dr., Dunwoody, GA 30338-652 COLLECTS: USO, Soda, Rest., Patriotic, Grocery Prod, & Military [email protected]

CHANGE OF ADDRESS 5901-Bob Bowman, Chesapeake Landing, 1730 Seabreeze Ct., #1A, Centerville, OH 45458-1725 9772-Dusty Pasquin, 402 Bremen Pass, Waverly, MN 55390-5422

Respectfully Submitted, BIRTHDAY CLUB: The following club members will be celebrating birthdays on the dates indicated. Please check your latest roster to get current addresses and categories: Janet Penny (1/6)

Linda Clavette Wolfe If you‘re interested in receiving 200-300 covers or boxes during your birthday month, send an SASE #10 envelope to: Wally and Pat Mains, 105 Roger Ln., Linda Clavette Wolfe Florence, KY 41042-2334. NEW MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.

______

Just to let you know this in the last chance to change your categories and add your email in the 2016- 2018 Membership Roster. Goal is to have the roster out Jan/Feb 2016. You can change your categories and add your email if you wish before it goes to the printer. You can get 2016-2018 Membership Roster by hard copy or email.

Also, Dues are Dues! If you are not sure where to find the expiration date it is on the last page of the bulletin above your name (hard copy only). If you get your copy by email you can contact me at [email protected]. ______

RMS Will Help You Get The Covers You Need

People can‘t help you if they don‘t know what you need...and that‘s where RMS comes in:

1. You can submit an ad for the web site ($10 for 6 months) 2. You can put a classified ad in the Bulletin. 3. You can run a 1/4-1/2 page ad in the Bulletin ($17.50-$30.00) 4. You can use the new, upcoming roster to contact fellow collectors who wish to trade and have categories that mesh with yours 5. You can use the RMS web site to find foreign collectors for your ‗international‘ want areas 6. You can use The RMS web site to find collectors who are willing to trade.

RMS literally provides you with a global network of eyes and hands to assist you in building your collections. But, it‘s all like the family car...If you don‘t start it up, you ―ain‘t goin‘ anywhere.‖

Make The Hobby Work For You! 32 RMS Bulletin January/February, No. 578

Linda Clavette Wolfe PRSRT STD. RMS Membership Secretary/Treasurer U.S. POSTAGE PAID 13 Creekstone Drive Mercersburg, PA Permit #15 Mont Alto, PA 17237-9614

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

The Voice of the Hobby RMS BULLETIN The Official Publication of the Rathkamp Matchcover Society Published Bi-Monthly COMING UP!

Mar/Apr: “Metallics”

May/Jun: “Largest Collections: I”

Jul/Aug: “Largest Collections: II” SOUTHERN SWAPFEST 2016: will take place at the Hilton Hotel/Altamonte Springs, FL on March 15-19, 2016, room rate is expected to be Get Your $85, (the rate stays the same 3 days prior or Latest Convention/Swapfest Info! after the swap meeting dates), including free breakfast for hotel guests. There is a limit on the AMCAL Convention: http://www.amcalmatchcovers.org number of rooms guaranteed by the hotel so RMS Convention: “Convention Central‖ at http:// EARLY BOOKING for reservations is a must. www.matchcover.org

AMCAL 2016: Heritage Inn, Roseville, CA (1- Southern Swapfest: at http://southernswapfest.com/ 916-782-446 or 800-228-4747) on May 5th, 6th default.aspx and & 7th. Room: $59/$62. Registration is $25, which includes BBQ lunch. Reservations/ ADVERTISING RATES Registrations must be in by April 1st. Heritage Inn has remodeled the meeting rooms and Display Ads updated the sleeping rooms. Located right off the Full-Page = $55.00 Quarter-Page = $17.50 freeway. Easy access. Usual amenities within Half-Page = $30.00 Eighth-Page = $10.00 (N/A for businesses) walking distance, plus beautiful California Classified Ads weather. Two big auctions on each of the three days. Classified ads are free for members, on a space available basis.

Submission Deadlines All material is due to Editor NLT 30 days before appropriate publication month: Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov.