For The Love Of Vintage Plastics: My Celluloid Collection

   My celluloid collection has been, almost accidentally, steadily growing since I started collecting antiques.  It turned out many of the items I wanted to buy were made from celluloid, which heightened my interest in learning about this plastic.

  As I had mentioned in my post about celluloid, I first became interested in collecting this plastic through searching for decorative hair combs.  Most hair combs from the 1910s-1930s are made from celluloid, so my love of combs inadvertently started my love of celluloid.

Decorative hair combs, circa 1910s-1920s. 
(There's a possibility the tortoiseshell comb is galaith, but with no markings I suppose I'll never know.)

  I then became intrigued by the beautiful dresser sets of the 1920s-1930s, many of which were made of a mother of pearl-like celluloid.  This type continues to be my favorite form of the plastic, and I struggle with having the will power to not purchase all of it.

 My pieced together, almost matching, dresser/toilet set in Maize Pearl with black edging, circa 1920s-1930s.

Button hook and cuticle cutter are from the same set, unmarked.

Mirror from a different set, unmarked.

Brush from a different set, marked 'DuPont USA'.

Shoe horn, circa 1920s.  A different pattern of pearl, marked 'Hampton Arch Amerith'.

Comb marked 'Lady Bobbie Trade~Mark' in Maize Pearl with rainbow swirl edging, circa 1920s-1930s.  While cleaning I broke off two of the teeth.  I managed to super-glue them back on, but I won't be able to use it now for fear of further damage.  Take it from me - be gentle with vintage plastics!

 Fold-up mirror in White Pearl, circa 1950s.  Marked 'Japan'.

  The rest of the pieces I've acquired are of the French Ivory/Ivorine/Pyralin style. 

Another dresser/toilet set, more specifically a manicure set, all matching, circa 1920s-1930s.  The close ups of the handles visibly show the faux striations to mimic true ivory.

Floral brooch, circa 1930s-1950s.  Not the usual French Ivory type, has no lines and light blushes of paint on the flowers.

Glove stretcher, marked 'French Ivory', 'Made in England', circa 1900-1910.  This is the only celluloid piece I bought not because it was celluloid, since at the time I thought French Ivory meant actual ivory.

My current whole collection.