A Handy First-Strike Capability

Diamond Brands, the Minnesota-based company that has been making matches since 1881, recently introduced SuperMatch fire starters, a handy way to start a fireplace fire or barbecue without even using kindling or liquid fuel starter.

SuperMatch is made of compressed sawdust and wax, as are some other fire starters on the market. But Diamond has taken it one step further--each stick has its own match head on one end so you can light it on the striker surface of the matchbox like an ordinary safety match.

Each stick is 4 1/2-inches long, 1 1/2-inches wide and 1/4-inch thick and will burn about 12 minutes, long enough to get a log fire or charcoal started. There are seven to a box and the suggested retail price is $1.59.

SuperMatches are available nationwide in supermarkets, mass merchandise outlets and drugstores. In Southern California, they’re carried by Vons, Lucky and Alpha Beta markets. For more information, contact Diamond Brands Western Regional Sales Office, 1820 Orangewood Ave., Suite 101, Orange, Calif. 92668; (714) 385-1530 or Diamond Brands headquarters in Minneapolis, (612) 541-1500.

Large Print Is Just the Right Type

Random House is now releasing its “Large Print” books, for consumers who need or enjoy the larger type, simultaneously with its regular editions of new books. It used to take a year or more to get a book with 16-point type.

Normal print size is between 10- and 12-point.

The publishing house also has redesigned its covers for the larger print books, so that each volume is clearly marked with “Large Print” and an eye symbol. Larger type Random House books currently in nationwide bookstores are: “Rabbit at Rest” by John Updike; “Trump: Surviving at the Top” by Donald Trump with Charles Leerhsen; “Murder at the National Cathedral” by Margaret Truman; “The Bourne Ultimatum” by Robert Ludlum; “If I Ever Get Back to Georgia, I’m Gonna Nail My Feet to the Ground,” by Lewis Grizzard, and “Dazzle” by Judith Krantz.

“Tucker’s Last Stand,” by William F. Buckley Jr., and “The Secret Pilgrim,” by John le Carre will be released next month.

In addition, Random House is advertising the large-print books with the regular editions, so check your local bookstores for the volume of your choice. For additional information, contact Random House Inc., 201 E. 50th St., New York, N.Y. 10022; (800) 733-3000.

Other publishers producing large-print books are: Bantam/Doubleday/Dell (800) 223-5780; G. K. Hall (800) 343-2806; Thorndike Press (800) 257-5755 and Walker & Co. (800) 289-25537.