Offenbach matchstick cards immortalized in children’s books

• fromJonas Nonnenmann

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Offenbach Poor, but in a good mood – author Jalil Reggai has immortalized the Offenbacher Streichholzkarlchen as a children’s book.

He’s still there, in the middle of the city, always smiling. We are talking about the “Streichholzkarlchen”, born in 1880 in Zell am Main, died in 1939 in Offenbach. He lives there to this day, as a statue on Wilhelmsplatz.

It’s easy to overlook them. Karlche, actually Karl Winterkorn, was reportedly only 1.30 meters tall. Winterkorn survived by selling matches in Offenbacher and Sachsenhausen cider bars.

The author and draftsman Jalil Reggai has dedicated his own children’s book to the Offenbach original – this is what blogger Isabel Thelen reports on behalf of the author. “Streichholzkarlchen” was published by Noel Verlag a few days ago, and is illustrated alternately with historical photos and drawings by Reggai. The announcement said that the real Karl was a lovable guy. He carried the Kickers’ posters in the shops. When asked what his job is, the match seller is said to have always replied: “Timber dealer”.

Poor, but in a good mood

Karlchen is reminiscent of the city of Offenbach and its people: poor, but (mostly) in a good mood. Karlchen’s acting talent is also guaranteed – according to Thelen, Winterkorn played in a Christmas fairy tale in the newly opened operetta house in 1925 with the title “Streichholzkarlchen and the Christkind”.

The author Reggai was so taken with the matchstick, it is said. that he invested more than a year in the book. The result is a story in which reality and fiction merge. Winterkorn, the hero, “never sad” and “almost as fat as tall”, takes the reader with him to his work, to the market square, in pubs, disguised as angels at Christmas. Finally, Karlchen goes on a journey to heaven and helps extinguished stars to shine again.

Author Reggai was born in Casablanca (Morocco) in 1954. later he studied at the Paris École National des Beaux Arts. After a football career in Sweden, he moved to Offenbach because of love. Reggai has a studio in the Ostpol start-up center in the Mathildenviertel.

Another book planned

For the coming year he is planning another work on an Offenbach original: Franz Weber, known as “Maabär”, often slept under bridges and made ends meet with auxiliary work for rowers and Main boaters. Although he could not swim himself, he is said to have saved several people from drowning. Maabär also appears in “Streichholzkarlchen” – as a tomcat who accompanies the hero on his adventures. “Matchstick Carlchen did not die, he was just hiding,” it says at the end. “Children, do not tell the adults where you are hiding, they would not believe it.”

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