The American Matchcover Archive


A digital repository dedicated to the conservation and celebration of the American matchbook cover — a pocket-sized canvas that once served as the primary advertising medium for 20th century commerce. 

We hope to honor this everyday, utilitarian item not merely as ephemera, but as a significant artifact of graphic design history. 

Explore the Archive





Chinese Charms

A collection of bright, charming matchbooks from a variety of Chinese-American restaurants, many specializing in Cantonese, Peking and Szechuan cuisines.
Chef Huang’s Restaurant
 Alexandria, Virginia
Henry Yee’s Cantonese Restaurant
Libertyville, Illinois
Hunan East
Reston, Virginia

Jade Wah
Brattleboro, Vermont

Szechuan Gardens
 Marlboro, New Jersey

The Canton
Springfield, Massachusetts

Ming’s Chinese-American Restaurant
Teaneck, NJ
The Good Earth
Anderson, Indiana
Shih’s
Los Angeles, California
Canton Restaurant
Sunnyvale, California
Hong Kong Restaurant & Lounge
Grants Pass, Oregon
Mike’s Restaurant
Hawaiian Gardens, California

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