http://shop.ebay.com.my/a2z-collection/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686
A partnership was formed in 1843 between 2 Quakers, Francis May and William Bryant, to establish a Provisions Merchants business in Tooley Street, London. In 1850 they started importing Swedish matches, produced by Carl and Johan Lündström.Their first order was for 10 or 15 cases of 720,000 matches (each case held 50 gross boxes, with a box holding 100 matches). The next order was for 50 cases and later orders for 500 cases. This partnership was successful, so Francis May and William Bryant decided to merge the partnership with Bryant's company, Bryant and James, which was located in Plymouth.
The company, Bryant and May, was founded with the specific aim of making only Safety Matches.They were influential in fighting against the dreadful disease known as Phossy jaw which was caused by white phosphorus used in the manufacture of the early matches.
