I didn’t know Bakelite from an Easy Bake Oven when I first met my wife Carolyn. But, she has long had a passion for this early plastic, especially when it comes to jewelry. Over the past several years our knowledge has dramatically increased and we’ve accumulated quite a collection.
Carolyn’s passion is for the “prettys”. She loves Bakelite jewelry and has an online store (CitrusAvenueCollelctibles.com) where she sells vintage costume and Bakelite jewelry.
Bakelite was invented more than a century ago by Leo Baekeland. It was arguably the first of the modern plastics. It was used for all kinds of industrial applications and eventually for both home products and inexpensive jewelry. The jewelry and home products part of it was a way to make inexpensive consumer goods. Today, some Bakelite jewelry pieces sell in the five figure range and it’s not uncommon to find simple bangle bracelets for over $100.
Bakelite jewelry was often sold at the classic “Five and Dime” stores especially in the 20’s and 30’s. It was cheap stuff that has ended up in estate sales and flea markets until it started to become increasingly rare and fashion recognized the value and beauty of “art deco” types of jewelry. And interestingly, the use of Bakelite for jewelry and other consumer goods by and large disappeared at the outset of World War II when production was converted to wartime purposes.
I use the salt & pepper shakers daily along with the sugar jar but the anodized grease tin with Bakelite handle is just for decoration—we keep our bacon fat in a jar in the fridge.
But that’s Carolyn’s interest. I got involved in researching and buying jewelry with my wife and then discovered the many different kitchen utensil items that had been made from this “magic plastic”. And, like the jewelry, most of it is around 70-80 years old.
Recently, I photographed my “collection” of Bakelite utensils and kitchen gadgets. I use all of it. If I can’t use it, I won’t buy it (that’s the Cheap Bastid Way!). And I thought I’d give you a little bit of a “guided tour” today.
I guess my cooking’s as old fashioned as my utensils. Take a look.
Left: A simple ladle and serving spoon.
Right: Bullet handled Spatula and Frosting Knife
Left: Bullet Handle Spatula and Potato Masher
Right: Hand- Mixer, and yes I use it!
Right: Here are 3 Bakelite serving utensils with butterscotch handles. These are used daily to dish up food.
These are all items which were originally sold inexpensively to housewives as single pieces or sets. Most of it I bought on eBay, carefully monitoring auctions and making sure to get good, serviceable pieces inxpensively (just like the original owners did). We’ve been to antique shows and antique stores and have been amazed at the prices being charged for identical items.
But, I’m the Cheap Bastid and I bought them for their original purpose—to be used for everyday cooking. There’s a lot of utensils I’ve passed on buying because, while collectible, it just wouldn’t be used that much. And, when I’m mixing a cake batter or mashing potatoes, I take added pleasure in knowing that someone else 60 or 70 years ago did the same thing with this mixer or masher or bowl. I think that’s kind of cool.
Pizza Cutter–Yeah, this pizza cutter gets used often and it’s about the most rare piece I have.
Dough Cutter: Carolyn gave me this for my birthday last August to encourage me to keep on baking biscuits, pie crusts and bread. It’s indispensible for cutting lard or butter into flour. Amazing isn’t it that the dough cutter really hasn’t been improved upon even though it was invented a century or more ago.
Bakelite salt and pepper set: These are my “pride and joy” because they remind me of the old salt and pepper shakers in my grandparents’ A&W restaurant and they hold quite a bit of salt and pepper—kind of like a “fry cook” would use. Plus, Carolyn gave them to me for my 60th birthday last summer.
Bakelite carving set: Notice the handles. They are Bakelite swirled and carved to resemble bone. These are cool but because they were made to be affordable, they generally don’t have very high quality blade or hold an edge well. (I’ve got another set with red handles).
Bakelite soupspoons: These are my wife’s soupspoons and I wouldn’t dare use them! She uses them.
Bakelite napkin holder: This is a really simple, “industrial” type design which was probably really cheap. We like it and use it.
Steak knives: We use these knives whenever we have steak or other “cuttin’ meat”. They were made in Canada and they’re pretty cool.
Cob Knobs: These corncob holders get pulled out all summer long whenever we do corn on the cob.
So, that’s a quick tour through Cheap Bastid’s kitchen drawers and cupboards. If you’re interested in more information on Bakelite kitchenware check out the book “Bakelite in the Kitchen” by Barbara Mauzy which is available on Amazon. A quick “collector’s view” of these items suggests that the “retail” value is somewhere around $1000-$1200. I spent maybe $300 for all of it.
And that’s the Cheap Bastid Way: Eat Good! Eat Cheap! Be Grateful!
