Match tin

Match tin belonging to Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton (1874-1922). A rectangular metal tin containing 46 matches. It has a striking area on the side. The matches are round in section section, the heads are about 13 mm long, brown-coloured with bright pink tips. The tin is inscribed with the maker's name: 'R Bell & Co, Patent, London.' These are lifeboat or storm matches, the brown compound intended to keep them burning in a strong wind.