Matchbook Monday

I came from a family of collectors, and one of the easiest things to collect as a kid was matchbooks. That’s right; those little cardboard things that help people light up cancer sticks. Every restaurant worth its salt had a jar of matches at the host/hostess stand where patrons could grab a pack on the way in/out. They have become a historical document, with the logos and contact information of establishments now long gone. The first one shown here from my collection is for Bar Marmont, the former next door neighbor of my beloved hotel, the Chateau Marmont. Bar on the front; Marmont on the back. Get it?



The inside of the matchbook shows the butterfly motif that patrons would see once inside the Bar.



For as long as I've been staying there, the ashtrays in the Chateau’s rooms still carry matchbooks. One of the many little reasons I enjoy going there. And no, I don’t smoke,  so just pack up your little judgments.



What a clever little piece of advertising. Phone number, location, and intelligent design.



I don’t know what the correlation between the naked girl and the Chateau is, but that’s what you find on the inside.



eBay once listed a previous incarnation of the hotel’s matches; much simpler in design.



…but much louder in touting their claim to fame. I wonder if these were produced before or after Belushi?



When traveling, just in case you get lost, always carry your matches with you!



A recent acquisition to my collection were these matches for the Garden of Allah hotel, once located semi-across the street from the Chateau on Sunset Boulevard.





Another eBay listing that I failed to bid on.



I do love the paper towel background, though.



The phone number stayed the same; although the ones I own omit the “9;” that’s one way to keep the switchboard clear.



Makes me wish I could have stayed there.



What matchbooks have you collected?

See more Daveland photos at my main website.

Puffin' in the Park

Times change as our knowledge increases, and so do pastimes and habits. At one time, cigarettes were smoked by the general public and also considered to be very glamorous. It should come as no surprise that since Walt himself was a smoker that cigarettes had a presence in the park, as can be seen by this photo of the Tobacco Shop on Main Street, U.S.A.



The door of the Tobacco Shop pretty much sums up the habit for those who find themselves in its addictive clutches:



I hate to call today's post a tribute to cigarettes, as they are smelly and obviously not good for your health. However, they were part of early Disneyland and even today, part of the collectibles that people accumulate. What follows are photos of some of the vintage matchbook covers you could have found at Disneyland (thanks to Bill H.!), conveniently shown flipped both ways so that you don't have to turn your computer upside down!



Matchbooks were even made for the parades:



For those who might get offended about Mickey being associated with matches, let's remember matches have other uses besides lighting up cigs.



I wonder if the Country Bears smoked?



Can you imagine cigarette smoke in the Blue Bayou? Today, smokers are relegated to a few areas within the park. I am sure the day when smoking is completely banned at Disneyland is not too far off.



I love the retro look of this one:



Even the land of Tomorrow needs matches:



Typically, a lady would not be caught with a cigarette in her mouth in a photograph; cigarettes were held discreetly at the side, almost out of view.



On Yippie Day, discretion was not an issue.



This 1962 dad is taking a hard drag on one before he tosses it into the street.



Suzanne Pleshette gives her cancer stick a touch of glamour with her pose.



Something disturbing about Walt holding a cigarette so close to that little boy's arm.



Cigs weren't banned at the Hotel:



Even castmembers could be seen smoking in the park:





What father-son outing would be complete without a dad who smoked? Hope that kid's jacket isn't flammable.



Cigarettes were even part of pop music. Check out this Tex Williams song and get ready for it to stick in your head all day long.



See more vintage & current Disneyland photos on my Disneyland web pages.