Vintage Plastics: Bakelite, Celluloid and Lucite
By Sharon Lemell

Antique and Vintage Bakelite Jewelry plus all Antique and Vintage Plastics including Celluloid, Lucite, Bakelite Kitchenware, Flatware, Utensils and Collectibles have gained significant respect and are being sought after more and more each year since more are being collected by all generations.

Many people don't realize how many objects in their home when they were growing up was actually made from Bakelite and Lucite. Kitchen Clocks, That Plastic Radio that played all the time, The Handles of Flatware and Utensils, Egg Beaters, Ice Cream Scoopers, The Tops of Sugar Shakers, Can Openers, Pot Handles and so much more were made from Bakelite and Lucite. Even Telephones were made from Bakelite. The Marriage of Bakelite and Lucite showed itself in Two-tone Flatware and Costume Jewelry and is not limited to solids only. A variety of Patterns such as Checkerboards, Dots, Animals, Pearlized Designs, End-Of-Day in a Vast array of Colors were produced. Spoons with Bakelite Handles are hardest to find since Boxed Bakelite Kitchenware Flatware Sets were mostly sold with only the Forks and Knives for Picnics and Luncheons. If you can, have a look around Grandmas or Moms Kitchen and Jewelry Box. I bet you'll find some Wonderful Collectible Bakelite that you never noticed before.

Plastics such as Bakelite were primarily made to provide the public with less expensive items especially during the hardships of World War II. Incredibly Plastics such as Celluloid have been around since the 1800's!

Celluloid was invented by John Wesley Hyatt in 1869 and was widely used in 1890-1917 all through the Victorian Era, Art Nouveau and parts of the Art Deco Period. Because Celluloid is highly flammable, manufacturing was for a limited time and had discontinued until safer plastics had been introduced, making Vintage and Antique Celluloid Jewelry Highly Collectible today.

Bakelite on the other hand is unmeltable. It is an early Polymeric Plastic made from a Phenol Formaldehyde Resin invented by Leo Hendrik Baekeland in 1907 while he was trying to invent a varnish.

Be gentle with your Bakelite and wash them by hand. A Dishwashing Machine will ruin the finish. Always buy what you like and be Creative with All Vintage Plastics. Display your Bakelite, Celluloid, Lucite Brooches and Jewelry in a Lucite Box in your Livingroom as a conversation piece. Design your Kitchen with Vintage Bakelite Utensils, Cookware and Appliances for a Fantastic Vintage Appearance. And always Buy from reputable and knowledgeable dealers.

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