posted on October 23, 2000 04:46:49 AM
Look what we bought this weekend! It makes us feel as if we are in a Clark Gable movie. We are not selling it, this one's a keeper.
The bottom of the base is wood and the actual base is made of plastic. My husband found the makers mark on the inside and, with the help of a mirror, it says Chicago Molded Plastic Corp. I don't think it is Bakelite. It has 4 shot glasses in 2 sizes, 2 decanters, 6 glasses and glass stirrers, glass ice bucket with silver tongs.
Does anyone have any information on this type of item? We are clueless.
Edited because it's too early in the morning.
[ edited by dixiebee on Oct 23, 2000 04:48 AM ]
[ edited by dixiebee on Oct 23, 2000 04:49 AM ]
posted on October 23, 2000 04:59:00 AM
It's definitely Art Deco influenced, probably pre WWII, but it's hard to get specific because the style was in for so long and has had revivals.
"says Chicago Molded Plastic Corp" ... write to the Chicago chamber of commerce and the historical societies to see if they have any info on the company.
Test for bakelite - rub it briskly with your thumb until it is warm. Bakelite or Catalin and their relatives stink of formaldehyde. Celluloid stinks of mothballs.
posted on October 23, 2000 06:45:47 AM
Except that you have to get it up to 170 degrees F to get a really detectable smell. Too large to drop in boiling water....if there's a hidden place you can touch with a Q-tip dipped in 409, the area on the swab will turn yellow if it's bakelite. However, this will dull the finish, so don't do it anywhere that it will be visible. "Scrubbing bubbles" cleaner also works. Way kewl set!
posted on October 23, 2000 10:43:43 AM
Thanks abacaxi and pickersangel for the help and advice. I just want to learn as much as possible about this piece.
posted on October 23, 2000 06:39:02 PM
Pickersangel -
You could dunk it in hot water, but I have never had a problem picking out Bakelite and other phenol-based plastics with the rub test.
posted on October 23, 2000 06:41:50 PM
You have an Art Deco bar set valued at $400 in one of my reference books. It is bakelite according to the book and I have sold one on ebay for a bit over $300!
[ edited by jadejim on Oct 23, 2000 06:42 PM ]
posted on October 24, 2000 03:37:11 AMjadejim: No kidding?!?! Well, like I said, we aren't selling. I just wanted to know if anyone had seen one before and learn something about it. Thanks!!
posted on October 24, 2000 11:53:27 AM
No kidding!! Coolest set I ever saw and yours still has the tongs and stir sticks. Think the reference book is Collecting Art Deco. My work room is so stuffed with things for the holiday rush I can't get to the bookcase to double check.
We are not selling it, this one's a keeper.
