DiMaggio matchbook

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Posted By: David B

I just saw a matchbook for sale today in an antique store with a picture of Joe DiMaggio on the cover and the words "DiMaggio's Grotto", along with something to the effect of "visit this unique restaurant". It looks to be from the 40's or 50's. They wanted $42 for it. Has anybody seen anything like that? Thanks

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Posted By: jackgoodman

They've been fairly available for a number of years. I've seen them frequently at various shows. So I don't think an overly tough item. Price-wise, no opinion. Perhaps someone who collects matchbooks will chime in.

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

These are pretty common and $42 sounds like a bit too much for that item unless it's a full matchbook.

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Posted By: Tom D

Did the matchbook still have matches inside or was it just a matchbook cover? There are a few different style matchbook covers from DiMaggio's restaurant. The covers can usually be had for around $10, a little more for ones that still have matches.

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Posted By: edacra

Dimaggio had a place at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, and there are a few promotional items floating around from that establishment (mostly the matchbooks, menus, baseball shaped pens, etc.) It wasn't a very nice establishment as far as I know.

The matchbooks can be found on Ebay anywhere from $8-$15 and typically you see them around $25 elsewhere, in so-so shape. If the matches, and the strike were intact, and in particularly good shape then it might command more. You'll also see matchbooks for a Dimaggio's bar that one of the brothers owned. I just recently got a Grotto matchbook off ebay for only $4.99 and the coolest part was the seller shipped it in a Havana Honey's tin. Something about getting a baseball related item in a tobacco tin that makes it extra special.

Incidently, a new Italian Chop House opened up using the Dimaggio name about a month ago. It's located in the North Beach district of SF, in what used to be Fior D'Italia. It looks like a Houston's with the Pottery Barn style leather and dark wood...and as expected, every wall has giant photos of Joe D. I'm sure he's rolling in his grave.

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Posted By: Cobby33

A guy I know started the DiMaggio's in SF. He also owne McCovey's and Bing Crosby's in the East Bay, both of which are awesome. The food is pretty good, but the atmosphere (hundreds of GU bats, jerseys, balls, etc. at McCovey's) is unparalleled.

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Posted By: edacra

yeah, i just glanced inside (i own property just right up the block, actually) but i didn't notice any dimaggio collectibles with this location - just the photos.

if the reviews are any indication, it's going to be one of the top steakhouses in the city (not that they have tons of competition) once they work past a few issues.

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Posted By: David B

Thanks for the info. The matchbook was in a locked case, so I didn't get a good look at it. The whole matchbook was there, but I couldn't tell if there were matches inside. If matchbooks can be graded, I'd call it a VG at best. Usually items at these antique malls are overpriced, so I figured this matchbook was probably overpriced as well. From your comments, it sounds like I was right.