Leaving your mark.
Our newest addition to the campstore. We've been in love with the little wooden matchbox holders for a long time.
Fun fact that Matchboxes were originally made out of wood before cardboard, and long before the card stock matchbooks of today became the norm.
Like most things we over invest time into around here… these carry a little detail that may only hold meaning to us-
When we first bought camp nearly 20 years ago- we found a two little wooden boxes of metal stamp letters & numbers- (we finally figured out by matching things around camp had they were the original “house stamps”)
They were used to stamp the storm windows metal tags, mark key fobs, label valve tags, everything that needed to be names and organized in a permanent way.
So we felt like it was time to put them back to work- (no matter how old something is, it’s can still be useful if you use it)
So we decided we’d hand stamp each of these little matchbox covers, for each order. For little light and History in your pocket.
HOW THE BOXES ARE MADE
Crafted from German silver (an alloy containing nickel and copper) Each piece is handmade and finished.
They have a surprisingly substantial heft and feel solid in your hand. With an applied vintage finish, they feel and look like they could have passed thru a another era.
HOW THEY’RE SOURCED
Our beautifully rough & simple base box is fabricated by J. Alexander Rustic Silver (who’s pieces are inspired by the work of classic Navajo silversmiths from the late 19th and early 20th centuries). Each one is crafted + tooled by artisans using techniques that have been around for generations.
HOW THEY ARRIVE
We customize these for camp with two unique hand stamps: ‘Hand Stamped’ and “W” for Camp (from our house stamp tooling kit)
They head out the door here in a little stamped linen bag, wrapped in swag- cause if you’ve met us, we’re obsessed with the details.
HISTORY
The postcard insert photo here has an important photo credit we want to call out because it speaks to the history of the type of silver stamping used to fabricate these boxes.
So although our matchbox cover is not Native American design, we do love to learn more about this history of the craft.
SOURCE
For more information on the history of this art and the backstory on the postcard, check out The Smithsonian Institution, National Anthropological Archives, categorized as ‘crafts’ Image No. SPC Sw Navaho - Description excerpt: “Silversmith Hammering Silver on Anvil; Tools Nearby”
DETAILS
➕ Hand stamped German Silver
➕ Measures 0.5 × 2.25 × 1.375 in
➕ Opening to reveal the interior strike card
➕ Come stocked with white tip wood matchsticks
➕ ARRIVES: in our linen drawstring bag
The Wandawega Camp Store Shipping Details