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A light will strike in the hearts of silver collectors this summer when a large and rare collection of antique matchboxes - some worth up to 1,200 - goes under the hammer at Bonhams Knightsbridge on 19 July. The 300-strong collection of Vesta cases is collectively expected to fetch around 20,000.

The lifetime collection of renowned entrepreneur and celebrity illustrator Willy Aractingi (b. New York, 1935) is to sell at the auction of Fine Silver and Objects of Vertu. Aractingi, who achieved star status in artistic circles when he became the first - and only - person to complete illustrations for each of the 238 "Fables de la Fontaine" died recently in Barcelona at the age of 72. His widow has decided to sell his collection of Vesta cases - built up over decades and sourced from all over the world - so that other collectors have the opportunity to acquire some of the rare and unusual examples that he found.

The days of striking a match against a piece of precious metal are long gone, but Vesta cases - so-called after the Roman Goddess of the hearth and home - are delightful and popular collectable pieces, which consistently perform well at auction. It is unusual, however, to find such a comprehensive and yet extremely varied single-owner collection in one sale. Full of character and varying in estimate from 60 - 1,200, the Willy Aractingi collection features Victorian and Edwardian cases of various interests, including equestrian, yachting, royal, military, theatrical, hunting, political, novelty and artistic from English, Continental and American makers.

Until the 20th century matches were known as 'Vestas,' and it was essential to carry them in a case as they were highly flammable and needed to be kept dry. The inside of the case would often be gilded to protect the silver from the sulphur head of the match, which would otherwise tarnish the silver. These cases were mostly in use between the 1860s and the 1940s, loosing their popularity when the safety match and pocket petrol lighter were introduced. Vesta cases were carried primarily by gentlemen in a waistcoat pocket or on a 'double Albert' chain alongside a pocket watch.

Willy Aractingi began collecting antique Vesta cases and scent bottles during his days heading up a cosmetics empire while living in Beirut and Cairo. Moving to Paris in the wake of the Lebanese war in the 1970s, Aractingi burst onto the celebrity art scene when he embarked upon the monumental project of illustrating each of Jean de La Fontaine's fables, which were published towards the close of the 17th century. Hardly any of these 'fables' were of La Fontaine's own invention. Like Shakespeare, he transformed prosaic old materials - from Aesop, Hindu and Persian sources - into living poetry, which this maverick collector then immortalised in paint.

For more details visit the Bonhams web site.