matches pls

san francisco

matches pls

a running list of places in san francisco where people have found matchbooks.

— and counting.

see the map →

A hand holding a small sardine-tin matchbox with a ceramic fish tucked inside
no. 01
the first one i kept

the collection

small paper things, taken home.

A black matchbox printed with a white cat in an orange neckerchief, under a crescent moon
no. 01
black cat
A cream matchbox printed with a red and pink folk-art heart made of daisies
no. 02
daisy heart
A black matchbox printed with an Audubon illustration of an American flamingo
no. 03
flamingo
A deep red matchbox reading Bee's Knees Luxury Matches around a bee emblem
no. 04
bee's knees
Two tall matchboxes printed with vintage San Francisco maps, a cable car and the Golden Gate Bridge
no. 05
san francisco
A pale blue matchbox reading La Boulangerie, open to show pink-tipped matches
no. 06
la boulangerie

yes, they're free.

you just have to know where to look, and be willing to ask.

the list

from the list.

all of it →