Matchboxes and Matchbooks
Right from the start in 1948 all the way into the 1990s, the airline permitted, and one may argue encouraged smoking on board. They produced matchboxes as convenient promotional material, and distributed among passengers. Let us look at some matchboxes and matchbooks from the 1950s to the 1970s.
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Above, from Left to Right: After launch of the Tokyo service, and before the Sydney service, so produced between May 1955 and October 1956. Made in Egypt. After the Australia service, but before the Moscow Service, so between October 1956 and August 1958. The one on the right can only be dated as pre-1960. These were used on the Lockheeds.
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Above: These were issued for use on the Boeing 707 Intercontinental jets. the one on the top left is almost certainly from the early 1960s, while the top right is from not much later. the center one appears to be from the late 1960.
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Left: Judging by the design and colour scheme, this matchbox appears to be used on the Boeing 747 and produced in the 1970s. |