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Monday, May 21, 2012

INDIAN NATIONAL FLAG ON MATCHBOX LABELS



The word  Phillumeny is derived from Greek phil  i.e. loving + lumen i.e. light.  It was coined by Marjorie S. Evans of the British Matchbox Label & Booklet Society in 1943.  Phillumeny  is the hobby of collecting different match-related items, viz., matchboxes, matchbox labels, matchbox-safes, etc.
Here are two title pages of the Match Label News, the official journal of the British Matchbox Label and Bookmatch Society.
History;
First practical matches were made in England in 1827by a druggist, John Walker. The first safety matches, which light only on a prepared surface, were made in Sweden in 1845. Safety matches made of cardboard or heavy paper and put in a tiny  folded packets were invented by Joshua Pusey of Pennsylvania, USA in 1892. There were many trials in match making in Europe and America. Before 1905, all matches were single topped; then silent ‘double dipped’ matches were developed.


 British Union Jack and Ensign on early Indian matches (Pre-independence)
 A Swedish make matchbox showing Indian theme, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and his famous composition 'Bande Mataram'.
India make matches were flourished in cottage industries since Swadeshi movement days (national awakening) competing with both imported matches, mainly from Sweden, Austria and Japan, as well as, indigenous big manufacturing houses.  
Matchbox labels were utilised and employed for Swadeshi (meaning 'self rule') Propaganda, since it could be produced cheaply in cottage industry. Matchboxes were widely distributed/available. These labels penetrated every households and could be seen everywhere  carrying  images with attractive and appealing designs. Many interesting images in the form of matchbox labels came out during Swadeshi movement days. I am prompted to present here a few of such matchbox labels which depicted Swadeshi (national) flags for the discerning readers.  
here the Sivaji image is an example of anachronism. Sivaji Bhosle (1627-1680) just can not fly a tricolour Swadeshi flag which came into being in 1921.
The slogan reads  "Boycott Foreign Goods and use Swadeshi Products"; M.N.Mehta, Calcutta, Maunufacturer of the Best Matches

  

Kamaldevi Chattopadhyay (1903-1988) and Swaraj Flag 

 



Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) Flag, Saffron over White over Green (1931-1947)


"Flag Salutation"
Islamic Flags of pre-independence (prior 1947) period

Bonhomie between Indian National Congress and All India Muslim League (Khilafat Movement 1919-1922)

Netaji Subhas Bose, Supreme Commander of the  Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fouj) and Purna Swaraj Flag.

POST INDEPENDENCE MATCHBOX

Dawn of Independence :  The National Flag of Free India
'Father of the Nation' and the National Flag



According to Flag Code of India, published by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Flag shall not be used for commercial purposes in violation of the Emblem and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.






22 comments:

  1. Hello, I´m from Denmark. I found your Blog and find it very interesting to watch.
    I´m collecting matchboxes, -labels and match-related items from all over the world. I have about 100,000 different.Please take a look at my website: www.tandberg.webbyen.dk

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  2. Thank you very much Tandberg,I collect any thing and everything related to flags. If, interested i can send you some current Indian matchbox labels.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Mr. Sekhar! Hope you are doing well. I am a phillumenist from Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Do you have any extra of old wooden matchboxes those you have shared in your blog? They are really interesting and i would like to have them if you have extras. My mail id is suravi2003@yahoo.co.in.

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    2. Hello, I have a new website now. www.phillumeny.dk
      Please feel free to take a look.
      I am interested in the iKno sets from India. I only have the set with kites. Can you help me?

      Delete
  3. This blog is very useful to know the history of matchbox and labels. In those days matchbox labels are also grown patriotism to people.
    http://www.brand4india.com/safety-match-box-suppliers/products/

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  4. The matchbox labels was nice and It's also denoted the speciality of our Nation. The matchbox history is informative...
    http://www.apexmatch.com/household-safety-matches.htm

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  5. These are wonderful and unique designs .really l like this Match boxes. http://www.brand4india.com/safety-match-box-suppliers/products/

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  6. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  7. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  8. The collections of Indian National match box labels are really good. Thanks for using the wonderful Indian National match box images.
    http://www.apexmatch.com/household-safety-matches.htm

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  9. G'DAY BLKOE I'M A WORLD WILD MATCHBOX COLLECTOR I LKIE UR WEBSITE TO I DO SWAP I HAVE PUT TO GATHER 3 MILLION COVERS , BOXES, LABELS, ANY SIZE OR SHAPS FEEL FREE VISIT MY WEBSITE
    www.angelfier.com/planet/kingqualasworldmatch/

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  10. Hello Mr. Sekhar. Your label collection is pretty impressive. I am Dr. Girish. Phillumenist since 15 yrs. I have plenty of match boxes for swap even with flag theme and historical characters. contact me 8801601672.

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  11. Please visit given link for our collection from Ayodhya (U.P.)-India. http://itismypen.blogspot.in/2014/02/matchbox-photo-album.html

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  12. Nice Blog and thanks for your valuable information about Safety Match Box. We
    are also Manufactures and Supplier of Safety Match Box in Tamil Nadu, India.
    Safety Match Box

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  13. I m alok mehrotra from KANPUR I have 50000 old matches box collection

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  14. I want purchase of old matches box collection. Pls cont. Me.mo no 9389343177

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  15. How to store the huge number of match boxes ?
    Is there any exhibition of match boxes like that of postage stamps and coins in India ?
    Which are the Associations and Societies of match box collectors in India.

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  16. How to store the huge number of match boxes ?
    Is there any exhibition of match boxes like that of postage stamps and coins in India ?
    Which are the Associations and Societies of match box collectors in India.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have found that this site is very informative, interesting and very well written. keep up the nice high quality writing Escorts in London

    ReplyDelete
  18. Eco-Friendly Sparks: Choose Sustainable Indian Matches matchbox manufacturers in india - Learn how our eco-conscious manufacturing practices are making a difference.

    ReplyDelete