Basic Procedures - Matchcovers come from matchbooks, but almost all collectors carefully strip the matches out and collect the covers. Normally, the only "full-books" (intact matchbooks) collected are those wherein the matches, themselves, have art work on them (called "Features" if the matchsticks have detailed pictures on them, and "Printed Sticks" if the matchsticks just have text on them). The stripped covers are then pressed flat in a variety of ways in preparation for mounting in albums.

Most collectors house their covers in 3-ring binders, with the covers either on specially cut pages ("slotted pages") in which the covers can be inserted, or in plastic, see-through pages especially designed for the various sizes of matchcovers (see our Links page for page dealers).

 Trading - One of the benefits of joining Sierra-Diablo is access to its membership roster. With this in hand, you'll be able to pinpoint collectors whose interests in specific types of covers match yours. You'll be able to contact specific collectors for specific wants and perhaps work out trades.

Traders normally trade on a 1-for-1 basis. Your trader sends you 25 Railroads, for example, because that's what you want, and you send 25 covers in a category that he's working in. Never send struck or damaged covers unless your trader has already indicated he's willing to take them. Also, "Nationals" (covers with no specific business address) are generally unwanted within the hobby., although there are exceptions (Airlines, Railroads, etc.) You and your traders decide on how many covers will be exchanged, which types, and how frequently. Even as you read this, there are trades criss-crossing the country, continent, and the world! (and some of them are mine!)