Book  (1972)  Page(s) 158.  
 
Matador Original 'Matador' by G. A. Van Rossem no longer in existence.  Name approved for re-use by I.R.A.R. 

Book  (1958)  Page(s) 227.  
 
Matador. HT. (Van Rossem; int. J&P, '35.) Charles P. Kilham seedling X Etoile de Hollande. Bud long pointed; fl. large, very dbl., cupped, fragrant, scarlet-crimson, shaded darker. Fol. leathery, dark. Vig., bushy. (28) Pl. Pat. 170 (expired). Portland Gold Medal, '40.

Book  (1953)  Page(s) 35.  
 
S. J. Bisdee.  Red Roses in Tasmania. 
Matador has often been compared with Etoile de Hollande. It is one of my most valued reds. It has many more petals than Etoile and is deliciously fragrant. When the plants were young, blooms blued badly, but with age this bad fault has almost entirely disappeared. I consider it well ahead of Etoile de Hollande.

Book  (1952)  Page(s) 54.  
 
Dr. A. S. Thomas.  Red Roses
Matador may not bloom as freely as Etoile de Hollande, but the two roses are very much alike, my preference being for the former. 

Website/Catalog  (1948)  Page(s) 22.  
 
MATADOR (Van Rossem 1935). Fleur rouge foncé brillant nuancé de marron. 

[no longer listed in 1964]

Website/Catalog  (1946)  Page(s) 22.  
 
MATADOR (1935). Fleur rouge foncé brillant nuancé de marron.

Book  (1941)  Page(s) 52.  
 
Frank Penn.  The Old and the New.
Rouge Mallerin and Matador are two reds that have scarcely come up to expectations. Both are delightful Roses that promised great things, but nearly all growers I have questioned declare they are rather poor doers.

Book  (1940)  Page(s) 125.  
 
Mr. Frank Mason.  The Newer Roses in New Zealand
Matador is another good red that is outstanding, and I have seen plenty of blooms which cannot fail to appeal to anyone.
It has done well all through last autumn when the soil was as dry as dust, and at the present time, when there has been plenty of rain, the blooms are opening well.

Book  (1939)  
 
p98.  S. R. Bird.  Notes From Auckland. 
In Auckland, Matador has not proved to be what was claimed for it. The old favourite, Etoile de Hollande, is more vigorous and usually a better colour, and will surely take a lot of shifting from its deservedly high place.

p117. Mr C. W. Heers.  Roses in Queensland. 
Matador, though it possesses more petals than Etoile de Hollande and is sweetly scented, is inclined to vary and does not look like superseding that old favourite.

p131.  Mr John Poulsen, NZ.  Canterbury Roses.
Matador has improved considerably and has given a large number of really excellent blooms of extra good colour in the early stages, but, unfortunately, they "blue" very badly when fully open. It needs instant attention in the way of removing the old blooms as soon as they commence to fade, otherwise the effect is spoilt.  

pxi.  Law Somner Oty. Ltd advertisement.
Matador HT. Called improved Etoile de Hollande.  Larger flowers, better formed; fifteen more petals;  scarlet crimson with silky sheen; vigorous healthy grower; very highly perfumed; extraordinarily floriferous.  Recommended. 

Book  (1938)  
 
p98.  S R. Bird.  Auckland's Roses.
Matador has improved considerably since first seen, and is usually a lighter and more fiery colour than Etoile de Hollande.
The touch of yellow at the base of the petals adds to its brilliancy.

p107.  John Poulsen, Christchurch, New Zealand
Matador. Moderate growth, producing numerous flowers; the colour of the buds is very fine, but the open flowers have blued badly. Not yet up to the standard of Etoile de Hollande.

p116.  Mr Frank Penn, NZ.  New Roses in Auckland
Yet another beautiful new red is Matador, described by some as a perfected Etoile de Hollande. It has more petals than the latter favourite, keeps a fairly good shape, and is highly perfumed with a very pleasant scent. So far my plants have not shown much growth, and given but few flowers.

p120.  Mr C. W. Heers.  Roses in Queensland
Matador has been described as an improved Etoile de Hollande, which variety it certainly resembles in many respects. Growth not as tall as Hollande, but quite good. The extra petalage claimed for it not really, proven here.

p123. Mr S. J. Bisdee.  Tasmanian Roses. 
Matador. So far just a good red garden Rose, but I think it will improve. Free branching growth with good, clean foliage.

p129.  Mr J. Dixon Kinvig, Hawthorn, Vic.  Recent Roses. 
Matador. Said to be an improved Etoile de Hollande. I am waiting and hoping for better things from this variety next year.