Tuesday 11 October 2011

ABC Wednesday, M for MatchBoox

My daughter gave me a matchbox containing a tiny little gem. A little book on a folded strip of paper. It's such a nice little thing that I want to show this to you. There are many more where this came from! You can find them on www.matchboox.com.
You will understand that boox in a combination of "box"and "books".



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The MatchBoox Story told by Emmanuel van Leeuwe:

" It all started with my uncle's basement in France beneath his old mansion at rue de la Victoire where he made books with artists. Ever since I was a kid, I looked forward to the weekend trips from my native Holland to Metz in Lorraine. It is there that my uncle Richard Meier showed me how to bind books yourself, how to fold the pages, how to calculate which page goes where in the handmade books. It was wonderful to see him work with love, humor and respect for The Book.

Many years later, my uncle came up with the idea of handmade books in matchboxes. The match would symbolize the true creative spark. Thanks to the many many years of experience in book making of my uncle, we quickly innovated the matchbox to a MatchBoox. He suggested a very ancient form of book binding, in a harmonica shape, called Leporello. We then embossed our logo by hand in the paper and put this Leporello book in a timeless matchbox cover. Hence, the MatchBoox were born.

Now I am able to share my passion for unique books with many people, passing on beauty with every little book in a matchbox. I still invest in artistic freedom. I still make the books by hand. And I still love that smell of ink and paper in the morning".




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With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC.For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar or

Here. This week we are looking for words beginning with M.

25 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

That 'concertina' book looks so well made Wil - what a lovely present - just perfect. Isn't it nice when you find just the right present for someone, as your daughter obviously did.

Roger Owen Green said...

That is SO COOL>

Nanka said...

A great idea and so much easy to carry a large collection for children while travelling!! It will keep them busy :)

photowannabe said...

I love everything about this. What a delightful and very original, special gift.
Handmade makes the boox extra special.

RachelD said...

How VERY Ingenious and charming!!

And just the thought of so small a treasure is just lovely---I have a lot of tiny books, some with print so wee that it would take a flea to read it, but these are simply captivating.

We, too, had a friend who was a maker of exquisite small books---he gave us one for a wedding present, and also insisted on printing both our invitations and our little programmes. The work of his gnarled hands, so fine and so perfected, is a joy to see.

I came across your name on a very old comment on Lawn Tea, and thought I'd look in once again. This is still a lovely place, and whatever the berries on your leader are simply stunning.

Best wishes from the Heartland!

rachel at LAWN TEA

anthonynorth said...

What a lovely thing.

EG CameraGirl said...

How clever! I like the idea and think I might try to create one myself. :)

Kim, USA said...

Makes everybody busy!

ABC Wed-M

Rajesh said...

Very interesting and unique. Thanks for sharing.

Arkansas Patti said...

I have never seen anything like this. What a marvleous idea and a delightful present.

Vagabonde said...

Qu’est-ce qu’ils sont mignons ces petits livres! Une bonne petite invention.

Kay L. Davies said...

Just wonderful, Wil.

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

George said...

These books are absolutely fascinating. Thanks for sharing these marvelous creations with us.

Hildred said...

What a brilliant idea - these little Match Boox are delightful, and would be perfect for sending little love notes....

Kay said...

Oh my! This is such a sweet treasure. What a terrific idea.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Precious matchbox!

Would you like to read some Loving Messages that Melts My Heart? Please come on over.

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Jogged my memory! I haven't made one of these in years! Fun to make-now I think I should go back and make them again. Not everything has to be digitally generated!

Gattina said...

Very interesting ! didn't know that !
Gattina
ABC Team

Indrani said...

Great idea, very creative.

MERYL JAFFE, PhD - parent, psychologist, teacher, author... said...

That really is SWEET! I love matchboxes in general, but this is really a lovely gift!

Shooting Parrots said...

The Matchboox are fantastic. I've shown them to my daughter who was looking for a small gift to send to one of her Durch friends.

Tumblewords: said...

A beautiful present. This is totally fascinating. I'm going to the site now to check it out further!

Dutchbaby said...

What a delightful concept. I love how the size of the boox forces one to distill a concept into a tiny container. Very inspiring!

Liz Hinds said...

Gosh, those are amazing.

Anonymous said...

What a unique and treasured gift! The fact that you make these is amazing. Creative spark for sure!