#114-CIVIL WAR SALE: VERY RARE ORIGINAL BAG & STACK OF 'LUCIFERS"--SHEETS OF WOODEN MATCHES

These lucifers were of great imoirtance to soldiers in the field so they could light a fire for warmth, cooking or a candle or lantern with which to see.

This is the original ~165-year old bag that once held about 10 sheets of 15-18 matches each. This lot consists of the rare, simple bag and several large sheets (15-to-18 matches) and several smaller ones (1-5 matches). It is very rare to find even a single full original sheet. They can break and split into smaller sheets quite easily.

This is a very rare group of so many matches in one lot; I have never owned, sold or seen anywhere near this many at one time. For those who aren't particularly enamored of the original bag or who do not want more than a single sheet, I have listed just that--a full sheet with another pair of matches--later in this sale.

I would assume that this might be used as a display item for a Soldier's Life grouping.
This lot will include the original bag and the matches shown, plus several other matches in varying number per stack or sheet. All told, this lot will include ~75 total matches + the bag. While it has some tears, it is in surprisingly decent condition. I suspect the bag and matches were stowed away in a family trunk for 160 years or so... I seriously doubt that any of you have ever encountered an original bag of matches, let alone this many matches. I was elated to find it. I don't believe I have ever found even 2 or 3 partial sheets of matches at the same time.