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All Armenia Tumanyan Tumanyan Matchbox Label Museum
AO Edited

Tumanyan Matchbox Label Museum

A tiny museum dedicated exclusively to the tiny art that decorates matchboxes.

Tumanyan, Armenia

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armeniapedia
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Matchbox labels on display.   Tumayan Matchbox Label Museum
Matchbox labels on display.   Tumayan Matchbox Label Museum
Tumanyan Matchbox Label Museum   armeniapedia / Atlas Obscura User
Tumanyan Matchbox Label Museum   armeniapedia / Atlas Obscura User
Tumanyan Matchbox Label Museum   armeniapedia / Atlas Obscura User
Tumanyan Matchbox Label Museum   armeniapedia / Atlas Obscura User
Soviet Aeroflot matchbox labels   inspector pinto / Atlas Obscura User
Polish matchbox labels   inspector pinto / Atlas Obscura User
Japanese matchbox labels   inspector pinto / Atlas Obscura User
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About

While a handful of museums exist dedicated to matchboxes, the only museum in the world dedicated to the labels of matchboxes is located in the small town of Tumanyan, halfway between Yerevan and Tbilisi.

Matchbox label collecting was once a common hobby, especially in the Soviet Union where factories produced extra runs of labels for collectors. The collecting of match-related items is known as phillumeny, and collectors clubs have been across the globe.

A collection of over 10,000 matchbox labels is on display in this small museum. While there are many Soviet labels, the museum includes labels from around the world, from Europe to India, along with Japan and Australia. Countless themes are covered throughout the museum, though the collection seems to highlight labels having to do with public education campaigns, crafts, flags and coats of arms, space, humor, puzzles, and match-themed labels.

The labels give a glimpse into eras in which they were produced, highlighting the important issues of the times and design trends over the decades.

Related Tags

Museums And Collections History & Culture Soviet History Design

Know Before You Go

The museum's hours are normally Tuesday through Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., but you can visit by appointment as well.

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Community Contributors

Added By

armeniapedia

Edited By

inspector pinto, Michelle Cassidy

  • inspector pinto
  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

July 29, 2021

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Sources
  • https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Tumanyan
  • https://www.facebook.com/Tumanyan-Matchbox-Label-Museum-101460602219934/?fref=tag
Tumanyan Matchbox Label Museum
6 Second Street
Tumanyan
Armenia
41.001834, 44.648134
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Nearby Places

Kobayr Monastery

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miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Armenia

Armenia

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Places 32
Stories 3

Nearby Places

Kobayr Monastery

Armenia

miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Armenia

Armenia

Europe

Places 32
Stories 3

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