Neil Abbott is happily married, but he is still on the hunt for his perfect match — such is the life of a phillumenist, or match collector.

The former public servant's interest in the humble matchstick has grown into one of the largest collections of match-related goods in the world.

"It started when my mother used to bring them home from work," he said.

"I thought 'they look interesting and you could get them free from hotels and restaurants'.

"I like matches."

Neil has amassed what is believed to be Australia's largest collection of match paraphernalia over the past 50 years.

The majority of his collection of matches, match boxes, match books and labels are safely stored in large plastic crates, stacked floor to ceiling in one room of his Canberra home.

But he has also built a staggering collection of match-branded items including coasters, places mats, clothing, aprons, towels, bedding, gas lighters, fire starters, BBQ cleaner, fabric cleaner, dominoes, playing cards, a jigsaw and art work.

Neil and Lindy are happily married, despite having a redhead on their bed. ( ABC News: Adrienne Francis )

Neil's wife Lindy, a retired teacher, has learned she is no match for her husband's striking hobby.

"His match collection, which started off as reasonable when we first got married, just grew and grew and grew," she said.

"This room used to be our bedroom, but it has kind of been taken over since then.

"It does get to me occasionally.

"However, he loves his match collection and it is pretty harmless."

Much of the collection is stored safely away in folders. ( ABC News: Adrienne Francis )

Nonetheless, Lindy and Neil have taken some safety precautions within their home.

Neil removes most of the matches from their boxes, and the couple have developed a fire escape plan.

"We have a bedroom window that can be opened and the back door so that if there was a fire in here we would have a way to get out," Lindy said.

"There's two smoke detectors specifically in this room and one directly outside the door and then two more not too far away."

With more than 1 million pieces dating back to the 1940s, this cache is considered the largest collection of match-related paraphernalia in Australia — possibly the world.

Neil has been interested in matches since he was 15. ( ABC News: Adrienne Francis )

The collection charts the evolution of an enduring figure in Australian popular culture.

Miss Redhead first adorned a label of safety matches in 1947 and the fiery redhead continues to delight phillumenists, like Neil, who has used his dazzling memorabilia to create a red-hot guest bedroom.

"You can wear Redheads jackets and t-shirts and whatever they have made, if I happen to see it, I try and buy it, or grab it, being a Redheads collector," Neil said.

Other matchbox labels capture historical milestones, like the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games and the 1969 moon landing.

"You are always looking for new stuff and then Redheads brought out different series and labels which was great, like the Olympics," Neil said.

"Then decimal currency and then flags."

Even among a collection of hundreds of thousands of pieces, every collector has their favourite.

Neil's favourite item is a relatively recent addition — with a striking brand name.

The story behind Dickheads matches caught Neil's interest. ( ABC News: Adrienne Francis )

Dickheads matches were created by Dick Smith, the high profile entrepreneur who had long encouraged Australians to buy Australian owned and Australian made.

"Redheads were sold to the Swedish match company back in the 1990s and Dick Smith came up with his own brand of matches called Dickheads," Neil said.

The matches boasted of being Australian made, but were later found to be made from materials imported from countries including Russia and Japan.

And, despite being the long-suffering spouse of a phillumenist, Lindy has a favourite piece too: an silver matchstick pendant.

"Neil surprised me with this on our 25th wedding anniversary and he had it made," she said.

"It actually has engraved on the side: 'you are my perfect match' and it is lovely."

Neil has amassed a collection that is unlikely to ever be matched, but that does not mean it is complete.

"I'm always looking for more," he said.