It must have been an act of faith to open a new general store at the height of the Depression around 1930. That is what newlyweds Gustov (Gus) and Winnifred Oslund did in the western Michigan town of Twin Lake. Located several miles northeast of Muskegon, the unincorporated lumber boom town had started as a mill and railroad station in the 1860s with a population of more than 2,000 but had hardly more than 500 souls by 1930. Nonetheless, the Swedish couple persevered and operated their store until they retired in 1975, when the population had dropped to some 200. Fishermen and summer tourists made up the difference. Check the last photo for the provenance.

      This tin match safe advertising “groceries, meats, drugs, notions” and other goods probably dates to the 1930s when the Oslunds initially opened their store. Friction matches were a 19th century solution to flint and steel for starting fires. Tin match safes like this one provided a dedicated and safe place to store and strike those matches. Saloons, restaurants, hotels, and drugstores all had match holders but country or general stores were typically the best bet for a quick light. They placed their safes near cash registers, in sitting areas (think checkers) or around doors so customers would stop to light their cigarettes and cigars and buy more tobacco products. The development of Zippo and Ronson lighters made match safes pretty much a thing of the past by World War II.

      This safe measures around 6 x 3.5 x 3 inches (15 x 8 x 7 cm) at its widest points. It is in excellent condition for its age, still solidly constructed with no serious rust or other structural damage. The green paint is still present and the printing on the front panel is highly visible. A must for collectors of all things Michigan, especially from the western side of the lower peninsula. It is also a nice detail in any recreated country or general store, drug, or hardware store. It would look good in in Depression-era home, especially near a door. Look for other match safes and 20th-century antiques and collectibles in our store at www.ebay.com/str/agitpropshoppe

GC415011