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Vintage Japanese Match Box Label Collection Book (~200 Pcs) Pre-WWII Showa Era Art DecoMounting Condition: The matchbox labels are pasted/glued onto the album pages.[Item Description]Collection Overview:An exceptional antique Japanese matchbox label collection book containing approximately 200 pieces. These labels primarily date back to the early Showa era (late 1920s to early 1930s / pre-WWII), showcasing a rich variety of historic Japanese graphic design, advertising art, and modern urban culture.
Key Highlights & Dating Details:Pre-War Right-to-Left Text & Traditional Characters (Kyūjitai):
Many labels feature Japanese text read from right to left (e.g., "石鹼ワツミ", "館會京東", "館會堂食"), a hallmark of pre-WWII print and typography.
Art Deco & Taisho/Showa Modernism:
Features Café culture aesthetics (e.g., "Café Matsuba"), "Modern Girl" (Moga) illustrations, and iconic Tokyo landmarks such as the Imperial Hotel (帝国ホテル) and Tokyo Kaikan (東京會舘).
Historic Phone Number Formats:
Includes classic area exchange names followed by short digit combinations (e.g., "電話丸ノ内...", "電話九段..."), reflecting Tokyo's early telecommunications network.
Famous Corporate & Brand Advertising:
Contains rare promotional labels from major Japanese brands, including Mitsuwa Soap (ミツワ石鹸) with its distinctive early logo, and Yebisu Beer (ヱビスビール) promotional items for beer halls.
Condition: These labels are vintage items and are pasted directly onto the scrapbook pages with adhesive or tape, as was common for collectors of that era. The paper shows a beautiful aged patina that adds to its historical character.
