Antique Leather Covered Metal Match Safe or Vesta Push Button & Internal Striker
escription: This is a rather unusual and very interesting vesta or match safe matchsafe. The piece is made of metal and then covered with leather having the gilded letters spelling "LIGHT" on top of the hinged lid. The match safe has a button on the front which releases the hinged lid. When the lid is open it reveals a hinged textured plate which acts as the striker. The striker once moved up it reveals two compartments which would house the matches. A very unusual match safe that is over 100 years old and in very good used condition. It would make a great addition to your match safe collection. Pleases carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Unknown, but most likely late 1800s or early 1900s (late 19th century or early 20th century).
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Size: Measures ~1 3/4" by ~1 5/8" by ~7/8" and weighs about two ounces.
Maker: Unknown. Marks: Marked with the impressed numbers "048" on the bottom and the gilded letters LIGHT on top.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: An interesting and rather unusual match safe in the fact that it has an internal striker and is covered in leather. This was probably a curiosity rather than a usable match safe since striking a match over the remaining matches stored under the striker would truly have created a hazard. Be that as it may, this match safe would make a great addition to your small box collection, matchsafe or tobacco/smoking related collection.
Condition: The vest or match safe is in overall good condition with no problems. The hinged lid is intact and works the way it should. The hinged lid is not spring loaded and as such pushing on the button only releases the latch holding the lid and then the lid has to raised manually. The match safe has no breaks and no repairs. The interior is clean and complete with some loss of the black paint on the inside of the lid. There is also some wear to the finish of the interior metal parts but this is surface wear and does not compromise the integrity of the piece. There is also surface wear to the leather exterior, which can be seen in the photos. This is around the hinge, the push button to release the lid, the bottom, and along the bottom edge of the piece. There is also a few additional scratches and minor losses, here and there, on the outside leather covering. A nice and very interesting piece worthy of a spot in your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.
