Today we are looking at an item found under floorboards – another chance to plug a favourite web site at http://www.wallwork.me.uk/floorboards.html – but that site is not connected with Market Lavington or Easterton.
Today’s item is, however for it was found during renovations at the former Volunteer Arms in the 1970s.
Matchbox found during 1970s renovations at The Volunteer Arms in Market Lavington
It’s a rather battered box of matches of the wax variety. Somebody, at some long distant time, has tried to mend the box with sellotape – useful stuff, of course, but not for use on precious items. The matches were of a variety called Springflap. This name referred to the box described on http://www.phillumeny.com/ as ‘a type of matchbox where, when the inner box is pulled from the outer box with one open end, and a flap energised by an elastic band flips out such that the inner box can be returned by flipping back the flap.’
The back of the box is decorated with a picture which looks to be of a Dutch scene.
Dutch scene on the back of the box
It’s a real shame about the sellotape!
The matches themselves are still with the box. They are wax matches – almost like miniature candles with a striking head.
The small wax matches inside the box
We are not experts on matches but we think these date from the mid-20th century.
Market Lavington Museum 