Antique 1930s Litho Tin Gustov O. Oslund General Store Match Safe Muskegon Mich for Sale

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Antique 1930s Litho Tin Gustov O. Oslund General Store Match Safe Muskegon Mich For Sale

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Antique 1930s Litho Tin Gustov O. Oslund General Store Match Safe Muskegon Mich:
$108.87

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

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

This safe measures around 6 x 3.5 x 3inches (15 x 8 x 7 cm) at its widest points. It is in excellent condition forits 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 highlyvisible. A must for collectors of all things Michigan, especially from thewestern side of the lower peninsula. It is also a nice detail in any recreated countryor general store, drug, or hardware store. It would look good in inDepression-era home, especially near a door. Look for other match safes and 20th-centuryantiques and collectibles in our store at www..com/str/agitpropshoppe

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