RARE IPP19 "The Safety Match" (Katagiri Match Store) – Pristine/Sealed- NIB – Bill Darrah Collection

Offered here is a rare and highly sought-after vintage exchange puzzle from the 19th International Puzzle Party (IPP19) held in London, 1999.

​Designed by the legendary Atsushi Katagiri of the Karakuri Creation Group (KCG), this piece—formally titled "Japanese Safety Karakuri Match" (片桐燐寸店)—is a masterclass in deceptive simplicity. While it appears to be a standard, oversized matchbox with a humorous anti-smoking graphic, it hides a clever mechanical secret required to open the drawer.

​Key Highlights:

• ​Condition: Pristine. This puzzle remains in its original factory plastic wrapping, never opened or played with.

• ​Provenance: This item is from the personal collection of the late Bill Darrah, a world-renowned puzzle historian and collector. His pieces are famously well-curated, and owning an item from the Darrah collection adds significant historical value and prestige.
• ​Rarity: As an IPP19 exchange puzzle from 1999, very few of these enter the market, especially in untouched, "New Old Stock" condition.
• ​Craftsmanship: Fine Japanese woodworking by a member of the elite Karakuri Creation Group.

Shipping determined at close of auction.