1930s Diamond Matchbooks Movie Stars and Entertainers Collection (6 Sets, 317 Matchbooks)

Sold For:

$540

Year:

1935

Auction:

2017 Fall

Lot #:

2706

Category:

Non-Sports Cards/Sheets/Card Artwork

Substantial collection of 317 different 1930s Diamond Matchbook covers all related to movie stars and entertainers, representing six different series. This is the largest group of these matchbooks that we have ever offered! It would be hard to imagine assembling a collection like this from scratch today. These matchbook covers are rare, far rarer than most cards of the era, and offer perhaps the greatest value for collectors of all 1930s issues. The grades below are without reference to normal fold lines and staple holes associated with matchbook covers. The collection consists of the following: 1) Oval Frame - Set 1 (32/48): The strikers are in delicate condition, with ten missing, partially missing, or torn. The condition otherwise ranges from Vg to Ex, with a couple lesser. Keys: Both variations of W. Beery (Ex and Vg-Ex), R. Colman (striker detached, otherwise Vg-Ex), C. Grant (purple, portion of striker missing, otherwise Ex), G. Rogers (tear in striker, otherwise Vg-Ex), and B. Stanwyck (Vg+). 2) Oval Frame - Set 2 (10/16): All have glue residue on the reverse, otherwise Vg to Ex, with one lesser. Keys: F. Astaire (purple, glue on reverse, otherwise Vg+), two W. Beery (blue and red, both with glue on reverse, otherwise Ex), C. Gable (red, glue on reverse, otherwise Vg-Ex), G. Rogers (blue, glue on reverse, otherwise Fr due to tear in striker), and Stanwyck (blue, glue on reverse, otherwise Ex). 3) Oval Frame - Set 3 (4): Three variations of W. Beery (blue, Vg-Ex, green, Vg-Ex, and salmon, Ex) and J. Wyatt (number stamped on reverse, otherwise Vg-Ex). 4) Oval Frame - Set 4 (2): Two variations of W. Beery (red, Gd, and blue, Vg-Ex). 5) Oval Frame - Set 5 (185, including a near-complete set of 184/185, and an additional color variation): 80% Vg-Ex to Ex (including a few better) and 20% Gd to Vg (including a couple lesser). Keys: Grades in parentheses in the following color order: blue, green, purple, and red: J. Crawford (Vg-Ex, Ex, Gd, and Ex), M. Dietrich (Ex, Vg, Ex, and Fr), H. Fonda (Vg-Ex, Vg-Ex, Vg-Ex, and Ex), K. Hepburn (Vg, Vg-Ex, Vg-Ex, and Vg-Ex), V. Leigh (Vg-Ex, Ex, Vg-Ex, and Ex), B. Meredith (Vg-Ex, Vg-Ex, Ex, and Vg-Ex+), and G. Rogers (Vg-Ex, pencil on reverse, otherwise Ex, Ex, and Vg-Ex). Additional color variation of M. Hopkins (light green, Vg). Missing only the oddity cover of Janet Gaynor and Frederich March in a scene from "A Star is Born" for completion. 6) Oval Frame - Set 6 (84/85): Vg-Ex to Ex, with a few better and a few lesser. Keys: Grades in parentheses in the following color order: blue, green, purple, and red: G. Autry (Vg-Ex, Vg-Ex, Vg, and Ex), C. Calloway (Fr, Ex, Vg-Ex, and Ex), J. Cooper (Ex, Vg-Ex, Ex, and Vg-Ex), D. Lamour (Ex, Ex, Vg-Ex, and Ex), and Charlie McCarthy - the ventriloquist dummy (Vg-Ex, Vg-Ex, Vg-Ex, and Ex). Missing only the oddity cover of Sigrid Gurie and Gary Cooper in a scene from "The Adventures of Marco Polo" for completion. This is an exceptional comprehensive collection of movie stars and entertainers matchbook covers issued by The Diamond Matchbook Company. Total: 317 matchbooks. Reserve $300. Estimate $500/$1,000+.