Historical information

The first practical safety matches, requiring a chemically prepared box to ignite, were introduced in the late 19th century.
Vintage aluminum matchbox holders, or vesta cases, were portable, metal containers designed to hold matches and prevent ignition, often featuring serrated strikers on their base and popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially during World War I as souvenirs. While commonly made from precious metals, vesta cases also came in non-precious metals like aluminum, which offered a lightweight and durable option.

Physical description

An open aluminium matchbox holder, with a diagonal pattern inside and out. Three sides of the holder have elongated openings where the matchbox would be exposed, with the fourth side open for the insertion or removal of the matchbox.

Inscriptions & markings

.