‘Mission to Mars’ matchcover collecting convention takes over Cranberry DoubleTree
MARSHALL TWP — Collectors from across North America descended upon the Doubletree Hotel this week for the Rathkamp Matchcover Society’s 84th annual convention, which runs from Sunday, July 27 to Friday, Aug. 1.
Though the hotel technically is in Marshall Township, Allegheny County, its postal address puts it in Mars, so the club dubbed 2025’s event “Mission to Mars” and produced a commemorative matchbook with a galactic theme.
This year marks the convention’s first visit to Western Pennsylvania since 1999, when it came to Pittsburgh.
“(The DoubleTree) had the meeting space we needed, and it was centrally located for the people who usually come,” said Deborah Guynup, convention chairwoman.
The practice of matchbook collecting, or “phillumeny,” gained popularity due to the proliferation of decorated matchbook covers and matchboxes in the early 20th century. They were used to advertise anything from political campaigns to restaurants to hotels.
“The two things that differentiate us from the rest of the animal kingdom are written communication and the mastery of fire,” said Richard Greene, communications director for the society. “Matches combine both.”
That said, decorated matchbook covers still are produced today. Some on display at the show include one advertising the event itself, and another produced in honor of the Philadelphia Eagles’ recent Super Bowl victory.
The convention featured silent auctions, “freebie tables” where collectors picked up or gave away items, and a display room where collectors showed off the best of their collections.
Many who traveled to Mars for the event are frequent visitors to matchbook cover collecting conventions who have made long-distance friendships with other collectors. One of these is David Carr, of Owen Sound, Ontario.
“There's about five of us here from Canada,” Carr said. “There are people here from Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire and Arizona. We see each other all the time.”
While phillumeny is, by its nature, a hobby more commonly pursued by people who were around during the heyday of matchcover production, it does attract some newcomers.
First-time visitors to the convention were Stacy Miller and Jane Switzer, who came from Kingsport, Tenn. Switzer only recently entered the matchcover collecting game, while Miller is adding to the collection she inherited from her father in 2000. Both said they already have accumulated massive amounts.
“I started with 300 (matchbook covers) when I came here,” Switzer said. “After leaving this convention, I have about 3,000.”
