This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/19/2021
Kio, Igor. Kio Souvenir Safety Match Boxes. Circa 1950. Paper-covered orange box bearing a portrait of the Russian illusionist on its lid, and sixteen souvenir matchboxes bearing Kio artwork inside, one a large box and fifteen small boxes, each with Kio artwork on their upper panels. Outer box 9 ¼ x 4 ¾ x 1 ¼”.Kio distributed souvenir matchboxes during his shows, to commemorate a production effect at the center of a circus ring involving a giant matchbox which, after being shown empty, was reopened and shown filled with souvenir boxes. This is the first boxed example of souvenir matches we have encountered. The labels on the internal boxes were used, sometimes with modified artwork, as one-sheet posters advertising Kio’s show.