What better way to enjoy a serving of orange juice than with a stick of chocolate? This medium-sized button is just the thing; and furthermore, both colors tested positive for Bakelite. Notice the swirling of the orange juice coloring. It's been theorized that orange juice Bakelite is apple juice (Bakelite) mixed with butterscotch (Bakelite). The result is this bright and swirly hue. Circa 1930.
-Sherbert McGee
Saddle up, baby! Here's my creamed corn Bakelite horse head button in a metallic harness and with a beautifully carved face and mane. Throughout the 1930's, toy-like gadgetry trinkets in the form of plastic jewelry were all the rage and—as I've shown this week—animal buttons were a major part of that historical fad. I don't know that much about horses, but I have seen the movies Seabiscuit and Secretariat and I think this old horse button is right up there with the Hollywood legends.
-Sherbert McGee
No collection of vintage Bakelite buttons is complete without at least one essential turtle in rootbeer. Technically, the color we call "rootbeer Bakelite" is a type of imitation tortoise. So this is a tortoise in faux tortoise. How clever is that? Anyway, back in the 1930's this must've been a novelty fad as all kinds of rootbeer turtle buttons were made—some large and chunky while others were flat and less substantial. My Bakelite turtle button is kind of an in-between variety with a primitive look about him. Replete with carved hooves and a stubby tail, this shelled creature is the fourth animal button I've posted this week. Stay tuned for one more!
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BUTTONS FROM THE ATTIC
-Sherbert McGee
Rara avis! While the yellow canary I posted a couple of days ago is more my style, this luscious red finch definitely demonstrates more flair. With a beak painted black and a beady little eye, here's a heavenly creature in the midst of a grand and lofty swoop! Bird buttons are always exciting—no matter what they're made of, but this chickadee tested positive for Bakelite and that makes this a rare bird indeedy. Probably going back to the 1930's, this precious songbird is a high-flown treasure.
-Sherbert McGee
