Up for bid on eBay is this Japanese company printer's sample book of matchbox labels, many woodblock printed, c1900-1910.
The seller says, "This was originally the property of a company representative, Mr. Takeuchi, whose business card was found inside the volume. Volume measures 8 X 12 inches (closed) and has 29 pages with samples of 255 matchbox labels, including some rare designs: Billiards, Balloonist, Singer Sewing Machine advertisement, Battleships, Bicycles, Sumo, Early Automobile, etc. Many of these matchbox labels appear to have been made for the Taiwan market. A particularly rare woodblock matchbox label is seen in scan #9 which depicts a silhouette of a smoker with "HOGIOWCHAU" (Chinese) & 'Made in Japan' below."
To win this remarkable ephemera, click the link and be prepared to duke it out with other bidders.
