As a long time collector of antiques and an art historian, my vote
would be to keep the matches where they are. I am unsure if keeping
them could be a fire issue but in my experience, keeping an object
fully intact is always the better option.

Good luck!
Jennifer Kellas

On 7/27/06, Kimberly Kenney, Curator <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> We recently received a large matchbook collection.
> Half of the collection is housed flat in an album,
> with matches removed.  The other half were never
> processed by the original owner (who is now deceased
> -- a family member gave us the collection) and are in
> boxes, with matches intact.
>
> Should we remove the matches from the matchbooks?  Or
> leave them alone?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Kim Kenney
>
>                           Kimberly A. Kenney, Curator
> Wm. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum
> 800 McKinley Monument Dr. NW
> Canton OH 44708 * 330-455-7043
>   * NEW SMITHSONIAN TRAVELING EXHIBIT  "Diana Walker: Photojournalist" on view through AUGUST 6
> * EXHIBIT OPENING "Through the Looking Glass:  Highlights from the Glass & China Collections" AUGUST 25
>
>
> "Let us ever remember that our interests are in concord, not conflict; and that our real eminence rests in the victories of peace, not those of war."  -- 25th United States President William McKinley
>
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-- 
Jen

music: http://TheMusicSlut.org
blog: http://LivingInAbstract.com

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