Fraud Blocker Skip to main content

Tinder Collection

"The Tinder Box: A Journey Through History and Fire" Step into the world of tinder, where sparks ignite stories that have shaped our past

Background imageTinder Collection: The Tinder Box (Clarke)

The Tinder Box (Clarke)
Illustration to the tale by Hans Andersen

Background imageTinder Collection: An engraving depicting Hoof fungus (Fomes fomentarius), the source of German tinder or touchwood

An engraving depicting Hoof fungus (Fomes fomentarius), the source of German tinder or touchwood
5311405 An engraving depicting Hoof fungus (Fomes fomentarius), the source of German tinder or touchwood. Specimens were left to grow to a large size so that the tinder was harvested

Background imageTinder Collection: Tinder box

Tinder box
Canister tinder box made from sheet iron, with a tube candle socket and a ring carrying handle, made in England c.1750-1775. Date: c.1750-1775

Background imageTinder Collection: Sir Walter Raleigh laying his cape over a puddle for

Sir Walter Raleigh laying his cape over a puddle for Queen Elizabeth I at Greenwich. She wears a bonnet, huge lace ruff collar, puff sleeves and hoop dress

Background imageTinder Collection: Cover design, The Tinder Box, Pocket Series booklet

Cover design, The Tinder Box, Pocket Series booklet
Cover design, The Tinder Box, Pocket Series Fairy Stories booklet

Background imageTinder Collection: Boy Scouts making a fire for the visit of Sir Robert Baden-Powell to the White House

Boy Scouts making a fire for the visit of Sir Robert Baden-Powell to the White House, 1911 (b/w photo)
1766100 Boy Scouts making a fire for the visit of Sir Robert Baden-Powell to the White House, 1911 (b/w photo) by Harris & Ewing (1905-45); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageTinder Collection: Fire: The 'Red Monster' in Old-Time Britain, illustration from Newnes Pictorial Book of Knowledge

Fire: The "Red Monster" in Old-Time Britain, illustration from Newnes Pictorial Book of Knowledge
IL281074 Fire: The "Red Monster" in Old-Time Britain, illustration from Newnes Pictorial Book of Knowledge (colour litho) by Tennant, C. Dudley (1867-1952); Private Collection

Background imageTinder Collection: Tinder Box, before matches were widely used

Tinder Box, before matches were widely used
A Tinder Box, before matches became the chief means of obtaining fire

Background imageTinder Collection: Tinder fungus or hoof fungus, Fomes fomentarius

Tinder fungus or hoof fungus, Fomes fomentarius (Polyporus fomentarius). Chromolithograph after a botanical illustration from Hermann Adolph Koehlers Medicinal Plants, edited by Gustav Pabst

Background imageTinder Collection: Cries of Paris - matches and tinder seller

Cries of Paris - matches and tinder seller

Background imageTinder Collection: The Tinder Box

The Tinder Box - Hans Andersens Fairy tale. Scene from TheTinder Box published by Raphael Tuck. Artist: Mabel Lucie Attwell circa 1912

Background imageTinder Collection: Guy Fawkes, leader of the Gunpowder Plot, caught in the cellar of the Houses of Parliament

Guy Fawkes, leader of the Gunpowder Plot, caught in the cellar of the Houses of Parliament, 5 November 1604
6337271 Guy Fawkes, leader of the Gunpowder Plot, caught in the cellar of the Houses of Parliament, 5 November 1604 by Leech, John (1817-64) (after); (add.info.: Guy Fawkes)

Background imageTinder Collection: MATCH & TINDER SELLER MATCH & TINDER SELLER

MATCH & TINDER SELLER MATCH & TINDER SELLER
A Parisian woman selling matches and tinder. Date: early 19th century

Background imageTinder Collection: The Sleeping Princess And The Soldier. Colour Illustration By Helen Stratton From The Story The

The Sleeping Princess And The Soldier. Colour Illustration By Helen Stratton From The Story The Tinder Box From The Book Hans Andersens Fairy Tales Published C.1930

Background imageTinder Collection: Boots - Comforts for Campaginers advertisement, WWI

Boots - Comforts for Campaginers advertisement, WWI
Advertisement for Boots the Chemists and their various suggestions for comforts - gifts to send to men fighting at the front during the First World War

Background imageTinder Collection: Gifts for soldiers from J. C. Vickery, WW1

Gifts for soldiers from J. C. Vickery, WW1
Advertisement for J. C. Vickery, Their Majesties Jewellers, with two suggestions out of their various novelties and comforts for men on active service - a weatherproof match box

Background imageTinder Collection: Pipe Smoking man in a barn, Hendrik Jacobus Scholten, 1836 - 1907

Pipe Smoking man in a barn, Hendrik Jacobus Scholten, 1836 - 1907

Background imageTinder Collection: Digital composite of man lighting dome signal fire

Digital composite of man lighting dome signal fire

Background imageTinder Collection: Digital composite of man adding tinder to dome signal fire

Digital composite of man adding tinder to dome signal fire

Background imageTinder Collection: Digital illustration of man blowing on tinder bundle held in hands

Digital illustration of man blowing on tinder bundle held in hands

Background imageTinder Collection: Digital illustration of hand fanning smoking coal

Digital illustration of hand fanning smoking coal

Background imageTinder Collection: Digital illustration of hand holding glowing coal to tinder

Digital illustration of hand holding glowing coal to tinder

Background imageTinder Collection: Making fire, prehistoric reconstruction

Making fire, prehistoric reconstruction. Theories on the techniques and methods used by prehistoric peoples are developed and tested by palaeo-experimenters

Background imageTinder Collection: The Tinder Box

The Tinder Box. From Once Upon a Time (1970)

Background imageTinder Collection: Techniques for making fire, artwork

Techniques for making fire, artwork
Techniques for making fire. Artwork showing three prehistoric ways of making fire. All three use friction to create heat. When an ember is formed it is used to light dry tinder that is used to start

Background imageTinder Collection: Global warming is leading to increasingly frequent forest fires

Global warming is leading to increasingly frequent forest fires
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Background imageTinder Collection: The Brighton Matchman

The Brighton Matchman
John Standing, known as the Brighton Matchman, at the age of 77; his matches are used with a tinder box


All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"The Tinder Box: A Journey Through History and Fire" Step into the world of tinder, where sparks ignite stories that have shaped our past. From the captivating cover design of "The Tinder Box" in the Pocket Series booklet by Clarke to the mesmerizing Mount Slide in Kinglake National Park, Victoria, Australia – fire has always held a mysterious allure. Imagine Sir Walter Raleigh chivalrously laying his cape over a puddle or Boy Scouts diligently making a fire for Sir Robert Baden-Powell's visit to the White House in 1911. These moments remind us of how fire connects us all, transcending time and social status. In Old-Time Britain, fire was both revered and feared; it was aptly nicknamed "The Red Monster. " The vivid illustration from Newnes Pictorial Book of Knowledge captures its power and intensity. Before matches were widely used, people relied on the trusty tinder box to kindle flames that brought warmth and light into their lives. Nature too plays its part in this fiery tale. The tinder fungus or hoof fungus (Fomes fomentarius) served as nature's matchstick for centuries. Its fibrous texture made it ideal for starting fires when other options were scarce. As we delve deeper into history, we encounter street vendors peddling matches and tinder amidst the bustling Cries of Paris. Their calls echo through time as they offer essential tools for creating warmth and sustenance. Finally, no exploration is complete without mentioning Guy Fawkes – forever etched in history as leader of the Gunpowder Plot. Caught beneath Parliament's Houses on November 5th, 1604, his failed attempt reminds us that even with nefarious intentions, fire can be both destructive and transformative. So let these hints guide you through an intriguing journey where sparks fly across centuries – from ancient times to modern-day swipes on dating apps bearing its name – reminding us that within every flicker of flame lies a story waiting to be told.