PARLOR SIZE LABELS/BOXES

The term, recommended by BML&BS to define oversized match boxes of different purpose and appropriate labels.

Most probably emerged as boxes of matches for desk sets around the second half of XIX century. Russian standard matchbox (around 100x70x30 mm) contained 250 neatly arranged standard matches. In many countries desk sets often had a special compartment for such boxes. In Russia and some other countries they were called "cabinet matches", from the name of the room (cabinet = parloure, office) where such sets were usually used.

Later the name "parlor-size matchbox" was spread onto other big boxes of somewhat similar size - household matches (contaning from 100 to 500 standard matches) and bigger size - sigar, gas and fireplace - matches

In Russia, for example, the main difference of the "household" matches and "cabinet" matches of the same size is that the matches in the "cabinet" matchboxes are neatly arranged and in the "houshold" matchboxes they a usually piled without order.

"A standard term for a matchbox approximately 7 - 13 cm long, 6 - 9 cm wide and 1 - 5 cm deep typically containing 100 to 500 matches popular in USA. Note American English spelling of parlor". (definition from the BML&BS site)

See also Household matches


Parlor-size "cabinet" matchbox

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