Anyone who collects matchboxes and matchbooks as a hobby: As a phillumenist, Max was constantly looking for anything related to matches that are used for making fire with friction.

As a youth, Charles collected vesuvian (slow-burning matches formerly used for lighting cigars) and fusee (a friction match with a large head capable of burning in a wind) boxes and books; and then, as an adult phillumenist, he attended international trade shows with his collections.

Use of the internet has made it possible for phillumenists around the world to collaborate and to help new generations of phillumenists share a variety of lucifer-related (friction-match) items for their collections.

One who collects matchbooks or matchboxes: As a phillumenist, Max was constantly looking for those little folded cards containing paper matches, and the best ones were from different places in the world!