The Ali Sarkarati Matchbox Collection

He writes below of how his collection came to be and his love of collecting Matchbox.



Hello,

My name is Ali H. Sarkarati.

Collecting die-cast models is my main hobby and I collect various lines of die-cast models, but I have a special interest in collecting Matchbox series. I have been a serious collector for over 40 years, and, throughout my collecting time, I have met many reputable, nice, and generous collectors and have learned a great deal from them.

My initial Matchbox Regular Wheels cataloging was based on A.I.M.’s catalog, and my initial goal was to collect all the Matchbox Regular wheels variations listed in the A.I.M. catalog. However, since meeting Mr. Stannard and acquiring his catalog, I have been using his fantastic catalog to learn more about Matchbox Regular Wheels variations, and also refer to it to verify the authenticity of my newly acquired items.

Throughout my collecting time, I have acquired several quality collections from reputable and serious Matchbox variation collectors who have provided me with the opportunity to have different variations of the same casting readily in hand to compare, study and learn about the differences in features and colors among them.

I share my Matchbox knowledge with my fellow collectors. I have been invited to a Matchbox convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the USA several times to make presentations of my knowledge and findings about interesting and undiscovered Regular Wheels variations.

I am fortunate to have this hobby of collecting Matchbox and other die-cast models which has provided me the opportunity to meet and know many great fellow collectors throughout the world and to learn from them about this fantastic hobby.