Close Cover Before Striking

Images from a collection of matchbooks that my friend Janie surprised me with at Christmastime.  

(Excellent stuff, my friend... You know me far too well!)

1950s: Times Square Dish

After being outbid on a couple of these time and time again, I finally snagged this 1950s NYC souvenir from a seller in England (of all imaginable places).  I'd like to think this little glass dish with the four-color graphics ended up with me so it could live in the United States in high style.  

Souvenir: Asbury Park Casino

A metal tray I purchased a few years ago with an embossment of what was then the "new" Asbury Park Casino. (Click image for a detailed close-up.)

Desktop Relics

Some hand-me-down-items (like the Speculator, NY souvenir eyeglass holder) and some antique shop acquisitions (such as the bakelite desktop thermometer with rolling calendar) from desktops of years past.