The iconic image of Miss Redhead from Redheads Matches will be celebrated in a unique exhibition in Werribee next month.
Thousands of match cover labels, skillets, matchbooks and hardware will go on display at the two-day Australian Match Covers Society exhibition to mark the 70th anniversary of Miss Redhead.
Society member Jerry Bell, who has been collecting match covers for almost 70 years, has amassed a personal collection of more than 90,000 individual covers.
“When I was young everybody collected something, usually stamps,” Mr Bell said.
“It’s art in miniature.
“Some of the designs are really very good. Good stamps are the same.
“The younger generation doesn’t collect anything any more … and parents won’t let their kids collect matchboxes nowadays.” Mr Bell, who travelled the world as a buyer for Myer, said his overseas travel had helped to build a unique collection.
His personal favourite match cover is one called Strike-Me-Pink, made in the 1920s.
Mr Bell said falling smoking rates and the popularity of disposable lighters had seen a decline in the number of brands of matches available, making it harder for collectors to find unique labels.
The Australian Match Covers Society exhibition will run at the Masonic Hall, corner Watton and Greaves streets, Werribee, from 10am-5pm on Saturday, May 14, and 10am-4pm on Sunday, May 15. Entry is free.
