Mystery Box: 70 years of Redhead matchboxes
Things get a bit retro in this episode of Mystery Box, as Senior Librarian Bridie Flynn explores the Library's archive of Redhead matchboxes spanning almost 70 years.
Bryant and May produced their iconic matchboxes in a factory in Richmond, where giant logs were cut down to tiny red-tipped matches. The glamorous Redhead character featured on the box has undergone a number of redesigns over the decades, to keep up with the latest hairstyles, before finally settling on a more timeless look.
In the video above we also view a number of collectible sets of Redheads released over the years, marking historic changes in Australian life such as the introduction of the decimal system.
More to explore
- Discover the Bryant and May collection
About Mystery Box
In the Mystery Box video series, we bring to light some of the most extraordinary items in State Library Victoria's expansive collection. Join us as we unbox unique treasures, and explore the stories they have to tell.