Maya Ellison
Vintage plastics are highly collectible, with some types, such as Bakelite and Celluloid, being particularly sought-after. The identification of vintage plastics is an important part of the antiques trade, as certain types of plastic indicate that an item is old or at least consistent with being old. The names of vintage plastics include Bakelite, Catalin, Casein, Lucite, and Celluloid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Names | Bakelite, Catalin, Casein, Lucite, Celluloid, French Ivory, Vinyl or PVC, Vulcanite, Gutta Percha, Galalith |
| Uses | Toys, pins, jewellery, fountain pens, knitting needles, buttons, records, flooring, piping, jewellery boxes, earrings, brooches, bangles, beads |
| Identification | Bakelite and Catalin are known as phenol formaldehyde resin; Casein can be identified by its smell when put under hot water; Lucite is lighter than Bakelite and doesn't give off an odour in hot sunlight; Celluloid is highly flammable and emits fumes that can damage metal |
| Collectability | Bakelite is highly collectible due to its finite quantity and the unique designs it inspired; Lucite's value depends on rarity, beauty, type of piece and design |
| Period | Bakelite was developed in 1909 and popular in the 1930s-1950s; Lucite was made in the 1930s; Gutta Percha was used in the 1850s; Galalith was patented in 1898 |
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What You'll Learn
- Bakelite: A synthetic plastic developed in 1909, it is highly collectible and was used to make vintage jewellery
- Catalin: A type of plastic also known as Bakelite, it was used to make vintage toys and jewellery
- Casein: This plastic was originally made in Europe and can be identified by its smell when put under hot water
- Lucite: A popular early form of plastic, Lucite is lighter than Bakelite and was used to make vintage jewellery
- Celluloid: This plastic is mouldable and flammable. It was used to make vintage toys and jewellery
Bakelite: A synthetic plastic developed in 1909, it is highly collectible and was used to make vintage jewellery
Bakelite is a synthetic plastic that was developed by Dr. Leo H Baekeland in 1909. It is highly collectible and was used to make vintage jewellery, toys, trinkets, and figurines. Its unique properties and innovative designs have made it a desirable material for collectors.
Bakelite is a thermoset plastic, meaning that once it hardens, it cannot be returned to a mouldable state. This is in contrast to thermoplastics like celluloid, which can be heated and softened repeatedly. This property of Bakelite ensures that jewellery made from it does not melt when exposed to high heat. However, it is possible to test if an item is made of Bakelite by applying a hot needle, which will not damage the plastic. Another method is the ""hot water" test, where the item is run under hot tap water, and if it gives off a formaldehyde smell, it is confirmed to be Bakelite.
Bakelite jewellery was popularised by entertainers like Carmen Miranda in the 1930s to 1950s. Women wore Bakelite bangles stacked on top of each other, enjoying the distinct sound they made when clicked together. The jewellery featured bold styles, motifs, and colours, reflecting the creativity and experimentation embraced by designers during this period.
The value of Bakelite jewellery can range from a few dollars for simple pieces like polka dot bangles to hundreds or even thousands of dollars for rarer items like ornately hinged bangles. The scarcity of Bakelite, as it is no longer manufactured, contributes to its collectability. Collectors seek out certain characteristics in Bakelite jewellery that increase its value, such as rare colours, intricate carvings, and the artistic value of the design.
Bakelite is sometimes confused with Catalin, another vintage plastic. Both plastics are highly collectible and were used during the same era (early 1900s to WWII). While Bakelite is classified as a thermoset plastic, Catalin is a type of phenol formaldehyde resin. They can be differentiated through specific tests, but some sellers refer to their items as "Bakelite Catalin" to avoid confusion.
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Catalin: A type of plastic also known as Bakelite, it was used to make vintage toys and jewellery
Catalin, also known as Bakelite, is a type of plastic that was used to create vintage toys and jewellery. It was patented by Leo Baekeland in 1907 as a mixture of phenol and formaldehyde heated under high pressure. It was the first synthetic thermosetting plastic produced, and Baekeland himself named it Bakelite.
Bakelite proved to be a very appealing medium for jewellery designers, who created unique and innovative designs. It was also used to make vintage toys, such as game pieces, chess pieces, poker chips, dominoes, mahjong sets, and construction sets. It was even used in wartime equipment, including pilots' goggles and field telephones.
Bakelite is easily identifiable as it gives off a formaldehyde smell when placed under hot water. It is also significantly heavier than Lucite and plastic and gives off an odour when in hot sunlight. It is a thermoset plastic, meaning once hardened, it can never return to a mouldable state. This is in contrast to thermoplastics, which can be heated and softened repeatedly to return to a mouldable state.
Bakelite is highly collectible today due to its finite quantity, as it is no longer being manufactured. Its scarcity, combined with its unique designs and colours, has led to its desirability among collectors. The value of Bakelite jewellery can range from low to moderate for pieces like polka dot bangles, with rarer items fetching much higher prices.
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Casein: This plastic was originally made in Europe and can be identified by its smell when put under hot water
Casein is a type of plastic that was developed at the end of the 1800s and used throughout the 1900s. It is made from powdered milk, which is mixed into a paste and then hardened with formaldehyde. Casein was originally produced in Europe and was sometimes called galalith. It was a hard plastic that could be polished and coloured to imitate materials like ivory. As a result, it was often used for jewellery and fountain pens. However, it is most commonly found in the form of knitting needles and buttons.
Casein can be easily identified by putting it under hot water for a few seconds. If it is casein, it will give off a burnt milk smell. This method of identification is useful because casein was used over such a long period of time that its presence does not prove an item is old. However, it does confirm that the item is at least antique.
Casein is one of the five most common plastics used to make vintage collectibles, along with celluloid, Bakelite, Catalin, and Lucite. Bakelite, for example, can be identified using a similar "hot water" method. If you run a piece of suspected Bakelite under hot tap water and it gives off a formaldehyde smell, it is likely Bakelite. However, it is important to note that some plastics can be damaged by very hot water, so it is important to be fairly certain of what you are testing. Another way to identify Bakelite is to rub it vigorously with your thumb until it gets really hot. If it is Bakelite, it will give off a musty phenol odour. This method is useful if you have experience recognising the smell, which has been described as sickly sweet or resin-like.
Other methods to identify plastics include observing the flame colour and behaviour when ignited, as well as the unique smells produced during combustion.
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Lucite: A popular early form of plastic, Lucite is lighter than Bakelite and was used to make vintage jewellery
Lucite is an early form of plastic that was very popular in the 1940s and 1950s. It is lighter than Bakelite, its predecessor, and was used extensively in the making of vintage jewellery. Lucite is similar to both plastic and glass, which is why it is often referred to as "acrylic glass". It is heavier and clearer than plastic, and it can be made opaque and translucent, dyed in many colours, moulded, and embedded with objects.
Lucite jewellery was made mostly from acrylic, and it could take on many shapes and colours. It could be completely transparent, like glass, or tinted in different shades. It could also be semi-transparent or completely opaque, depending on the designer's vision. Lucite jewellery was often colourful, bold, and featured unique motifs.
Lucite was also less expensive to produce than Bakelite, Galalith, and Catalin, and it was more chemically stable than Celluloid, making these earlier jewellery plastics obsolete. It was first manufactured in the 1930s as a protective coating or safety bonding for glass.
Vintage Lucite jewellery can be identified by its weight, clarity, and flexibility. It will also not produce a vinegar-like smell when dipped in hot water, unlike modern plastics.
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Celluloid: This plastic is mouldable and flammable. It was used to make vintage toys and jewellery
Celluloid is a class of materials produced by mixing nitrocellulose and camphor, with added dyes and other agents. It is mouldable and flammable, and it was one of the first synthetic plastics. It was invented in the 1860s and 1870s by John Wesley Hyatt, who patented the process in 1870, and his brother Isaiah Hyatt. They recognised the value of camphor as a plasticizer for cellulose nitrate and used heat and pressure to simplify the manufacture of these compounds.
Celluloid was used to make a wide variety of products, including toiletry articles, novelties, and
Celluloid was particularly popular for making toys and jewellery due to its charming design and craftsmanship. Its ability to be moulded and shaped into various forms made it ideal for creating unique and innovative designs. It could be heated and softened repeatedly, returning to a mouldable state, making it desirable for jewellery designers who could experiment with different motifs, colours, and bold styles.
Despite its versatility, celluloid had some disadvantages, such as its tendency to soften under heat and its flammability. By the 1920s and 1930s, it began to be replaced by more versatile materials, and its popularity waned in the middle of the 20th century with the introduction of entirely synthetic polymer-based plastics. Today, celluloid is considered vintage, and collectors seek out early celluloid objects, including toys and jewellery, as specimens of early artificial plastic.
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Frequently asked questions
Vintage plastic is plastic that is old, usually antique or collectible.
Bakelite, Celluloid, Catalin, Casein, Lucite, and Vinyl or PVC are some examples of vintage plastics.
Each type of vintage plastic has unique characteristics. For example, Bakelite can be identified by its distinct sound when clicked together and its resistance to heat. Casein can be identified by its smell when put under hot water, as it will smell like burnt milk.
Vintage plastics were used to create a variety of items, including jewelry, toys, pins, and other collectibles.
Vintage plastic is desirable for its uniqueness, bold styles, and finite quantity, as many types of vintage plastic are no longer being manufactured.
