How to Save Matchcovers for Posterity

We ordinarily do not keep the matches within the matchcover or matchbox, except in certain circumstances when the match itself has been decorated (this type of match is known as a "feature"). You will find more information and examples of features on another page of this website.

The way we prepare our matchbooks is by stripping the matches from the cover (called "shucking" by most matchcover collectors).
 

Pick 2 matches from middle.	Pull forward on these 2 matches and pull the remainder back.	Give a twist at the staple and gently tug matches from cover.	Voila! A flattened matchcover.

The technique pictures above is usually used for newer matchbook covers, for older and thicker covers a variewty of tools are used to remove the staple so that the cover is not damaged. This is a very important part of keeping your saving your matchbook covers.

Some of us newbies got a lesson in shucking at last year's AMCAL shucking contest. Each contestant was given a caddy of matches and whoever stripped the matches fastest won. 2009 Winner was Ray Shultz.


Some of our "Master" Shuckers at work!
From left to right:

Ellen Gutting (Nevada)
Carole Ziegler (Canada)
Larry Ziegler (Canada)
Ray Shultz (Australia)

As you can see we attract people from all areas at our get-togethers.
 

Read More about Removing Matches from Cover!