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Beautiful antique Niagara Falls souvenir match safe / vesta case featuring a detailed raised image of Horseshoe Falls.
This charming early travel souvenir showcases an embossed scenic view of Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls, surrounded by ornate floral and scroll decoration. The words “HORSESHOE FALLS” are clearly incorporated into the design, making this an especially appealing piece of early Niagara tourism memorabilia.
The top edge is also marked “PATENTED,” adding another interesting period detail.
Based on the construction, decorative style and popularity of Niagara Falls souvenir pieces during the early 20th century, this appears to date approximately to the 1900s–1920s era, although no exact manufacture date is being claimed.
FEATURES
* Antique Niagara Falls souvenir
* Horseshoe Falls scenic design
* Niagara Falls travel memorabilia
* Pocket match safe / vesta case
* Raised embossed metal decoration
* Ornate floral and scroll border
* “Horseshoe Falls” lettering
* “Patented” marking along top edge
* Hinged lid
* Decorative rope-style borders
* Early American / Canadian tourism collectible
* Wonderful aged patina and period character
Match safes, also commonly called vesta cases, were small pocket containers designed to protect friction matches before disposable lighters became commonplace. They were widely used by cigar, cigarette and pipe smokers and were also produced as souvenirs for popular tourist destinations.
Niagara Falls was already one of North America’s great travel destinations by the early 20th century, and visitors frequently brought home small scenic souvenirs featuring iconic views of Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls.
GREAT CROSSOVER COLLECTIBLE
This piece would appeal to collectors of:
Niagara Falls memorabilia, Horseshoe Falls souvenirs, antique travel souvenirs, early tourism collectibles, match safes, vesta cases, tobacco memorabilia, antique smoking accessories, cigar accessories, scenic souvenirs, American antiques, Canadian souvenirs and early 20th-century Americana.
UNIQUE GIFT IDEA
This would make a particularly fun gift for:
* A Niagara Falls enthusiast
* Someone who honeymooned or vacationed at Niagara Falls
* A Horseshoe Falls admirer
* A cigar or pipe smoker
* An antique smoking-accessory collector
* A travel memorabilia collector
* A collector of historic American or Canadian souvenirs
* Someone decorating a cigar room, home bar, study or office
Rather than a modern souvenir, this is an authentic older travel keepsake representing the era when visitors purchased small metal souvenirs to remember their trip to Niagara Falls and Horseshoe Falls.
CONDITION
Antique pre-owned condition with visible age-related wear, patina, tarnish, discoloration, scratches, surface marks and finish loss consistent with age and use.
The raised Horseshoe Falls scene remains nicely visible and displays very well. Hinged lid is present and shown open in the photographs.
The matches shown in the photographs are for display/scale purposes only unless specifically stated otherwise.
Please review all photographs carefully for exact cosmetic condition, construction and details, as the photos are considered part of the description.
A fantastic little piece of early Niagara Falls tourism history and a wonderful addition to an antique match safe, souvenir, cigar, tobacco or travel memorabilia collection.
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