Lot #30: Mid-19th Century Vintage Collectible~ Go-to Bed Safety Light Box ++more

“Go-to-bed” matchboxes were a variety of match storage boxes popular in the mid-to-late 19th century. This one is brass with a lovely engraved pattern. Most designs incorporated a rough surface to strike the match. All featured a small hole or finial into which the lit match could be placed. The idea was that, rather than risk taking a lit candle near the voluminous fabric of a four-poster bed, the lit match on the mantelpiece would burn for about 30 seconds, just long enough for the person to get into bed. This is a nice collector piece. You don’t see these very often. Also included is a letter opener with an interesting red accent on handle, brass tongs, little bell that clips to a shopkeepers door, candle snuffer. All have wear from use and age. Measurements: Safety light Box Approx. 2.5” Tall (6 cm), 1 “ wide (3 cm); Letter opener 10” Pickup category timeslot {A}