Objects

Incredible Bright Orange Catalin Poker Chip Holder - Yellow + Black Chips

Rare + Striking Color Poker Chip Rack

Striking bright orange Catalin Bakelite poker chip caddy/rack with yellow + black Catalin chip. This colorful example is the first one I have seen in this color combination. This This Art Deco Catalin poker chip caddy + card holder was made in the early 1940's. Caddy + chips are original and retain a beautiful factory gloss and with no cracks, or chips. Bottom has small mold marks. Holder holds approximately 200 chips.

Measures approximately: 7" wide by 4.5" deep by 4.5" high to carrying handle.

Pantages "Maestro Music" Art Deco Remote Wired Music Speaker Selector

Rare + Stately Speaker Manufactured by Rodney Pantages Co, Hollywood, CA.

Rare Pantages Maestro Music Art Deco 1940's Remote Wired Music Speaker Selector. This incredible Art Deco speaker selector was manufactured by Rodney Pantages Co, Hollywood, CA.

Red glass panels behind the "Maestro Music" pilasters give it a warm glow. This example is one of only two known to exist + makes for a unique piece for the Art Deco, jukebox or coin operated collector.

Rodney Pantages was son of the theater magnate Alexander Pantages of Pantages movie theater fame. Rodney entered the wired jukebox market with Maestro Your-Choice-By-Voice system in autumn of 1940. He later made cabinets for the system offering a program of not less than 2,000 music selections. The influence of the theater business can be seen in the design of the Maestro Music speaker selector.  Looks like a large wall sconce seen in Art Deco movie theaters.

This innovative music selection speaker device was connected to remote location (see picture) that transmitted over telephone lines. Depositing 10¢ for 1 song or 25¢ for 3 would connect you to the operator by microphone for your song selection. Selection would then be played on a turntable and transmitted to the speaker by telephone line. Was part of "system" that consisted of counter boxes for table or on bar, and a large mirrored unit. Songs titles were listed on sheets handed out to patrons at bar, and tables. Melody Lane restaurant, Hollywood, CA, was Pantages most famous installation of the "Maestro Music" system.

Unique concept for the 1940's, wireless music!

Speaker selector has been restored to original condition.  This stately Art Deco piece of coin-op history measures: 31" high by 14" wide by 9" deep.

Great Catalin Box with Cube Finial in Watermelon Red + Black

This Large Octagon Catalin Bakelite Powder Box is a Rare Find

Beautiful large seldom seen large Art Deco octagon shaped Catalin powder box in watermelon red with orange swirls and black accents. This incredible powder box is a rare find and is considered by many collectors to be the epitome of a Catalin box collection. This box is one of only a few Catalin boxes featured in "The Bakelite Jewelry Book" by Davidov + Dawes on page 65.

The fluted base sitting on 4 black Catalin cube feet sloping up to faceted sides finished off with a large "cube" finial resting on an octagon black Catalin base on lid. The large size combined with the different design elements used on this box make it unique and rare.

Powder box is original and has a beautiful gloss. Box has has no cracks, chips or repairs.

Measures approximately: 5" high by 5" round at base.

Art Deco Shoe Advertising Character - Stylish Metal Figure

Smart Looking Metal Advertising Figure

Stylish painted metal Art Deco advertising character used in the 30's and 40's to promote Bostonians Shoes. The quick pace of the figure suggests a city dweller on his way to work. Character has great details from the facial features, impeccable pants pleat, fitted jacket and perfectly placed tie. Great period piece to add to any Art Deco or Modernist collection.

Item is in great original condition with minor signs of use to the paint and is mounted on a custom made base.

Measures approximately: 17" high

Applejuice Carved Flower Catalin Bakelite Powder Box

Beautiful Art Deco Clear Carved Butterscotch Bakelite Powder Box

Clear apple-juice carved Catalin powder box made in the early 1940's. The hand carved Art Deco circular box is simple + elegant with its reverse carved rings and intricate reverse hand carved flower motif on the lid.

Powder box is original and retains a beautiful factory gloss and has no cracks, chips or repairs. Has light scratches consistent with careful use.

Measures approximately: 3.25" wide by 2.14" high

Carved Catalin Bakelite Powder Box

Beautiful Art Deco Butterscotch Colored Bakelite Powder Box

Butterscotch carved Catalin powder box made in the early 1940's by the Catalin Corporation. The heavily hand carved Art Deco circular box is simple + elegant with its stepped top and acorn finial.

Powder box is original and retains a beautiful factory gloss and has no cracks, or repairs. Base has a small mold mark/chip that does not detract from the beauty of this Catalin Bakelite box

Measures approximately: 4" long 3" deep by 3" high to finial.

American Art Deco Shoe Advertising Character - Stylish Metal Figure

Great Facial Features and Smart Looking Clothing on this Metal Advertising Figure

Stylish painted metal Art Deco advertising character used in the 30's and 40's to promote Bostonians Shoes. This advertising character is featured on page 198 of the book "Counter Culture - The Allure of Mini-Mannequins" by Steven Heller + Louise Fili. The quick pace of the figure suggests a city dweller on his way to work. Character has great details from the facial features, impeccable pants pleat, fitted jacket and perfectly placed tie.This is a great period piece to add to any Art Deco collection.

Item is in great original condition with minor signs of use to the paint and is mounted on a custom made base.

Measures approximately: 17" high

Art Deco Ruba Rombic Jungle Green Glass Cupped Bowl

Cubist "Ruba Rombic" Bowl Designed by Reuben Haley for Consolidated Glass in 1928

Beautiful "Jungle Green" American Art Deco Ruba Rombic cupped bowl designed in 1927 by Reuben Haley and introduced in 1928 by the Consolidated Lamp and Glass Company of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. The Cubist design of the Ruba Rombic collection is stunning -- like a block of carved ice.

This Jungle Green vase is item number "803" according to original catalogues. Vase is in as close to perfect as these damage prone glassware pieces can be with only a couple fleabites/chips on the inside top rim.

Vase measures approximately: 8" across at rim

Art Deco Catalin Ellis Skyscraper Lighter

Great Jet Black Bakelite Lighter

Beautiful jet black Catalin / Bakelite skyscraper lighter made by the Ellis Lighter Corp.. This Art Deco skyscraper shaped lighter is in perfect condition - looks like it has never been used. The lighter is concealed inside the body and only made visible when the top is flipped open.

Lighter measures approximately: 6" tall 

Art Deco Ruba Rombic Topaz Glass Cupped Bowl

Cubist "Ruba Rombic" Bowl Designed by Reuben Haley for Consolidated Glass in 1928

Beautiful "Topaz" American Art Deco Ruba Rombic cupped bowl designed in 1927 by Reuben Haley and introduced in 1928 by the Consolidated Lamp and Glass Company of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. The Cubist design of the Ruba Rombic collection is stunning -- like a block of carved ice.

This Topaz vase is item number "803" according to original catalogues. Vase is in as close to perfect as these damage prone glassware pieces can be with only a couple fleabites/chips on the inside top rim.

Vase measures approximately: 8" across at  rim

Beautiful Blue Colored Hemingray CD257 "Mickey Mouse Ears" Glass Insulator

This cable style CD 257 No. 60 Hemingray insulator is nicknamed the "Mickey Mouse Ears".  This model is one of the most popular insulator styles among collectors and is a stunning Hemingray's signature blue color and in great original condition with minimal signs of wear. Produced from 1910 to 1940

Marked on skirt: HEMINGRAY, PATENT JUNE 17 1890 MAY 2 1893.

This item looks great displayed as a sculpture.

Measures approximately: 5" high

Machine Age WPA Mine Worker Gunmetal Sculpture

Great Machine Age WPA gunmetal colored mine worker sculpture.

Black + Caramel Catalin Bakelite Art Deco "Smokers Set"

Vintage catalin/bakelite smokers desk set in beautiful swirled caramel/toffee and black base and accents. Comprises of a cigarette dispenser, match holder + ashtray.

Great colouration, in good condition, no chips or cracks. Great original Art Deco desk smoking accessory in all original condition.

Bakelite Figural "Apple" Salt & Pepper Shakers 1940's Deco

Great Figural Set of S+P Catalin "Apple" Shakers

This beautiful set of figural "Apple" shakers are bright green and emerald green Catalin / Bakelite and have metal stems which easily screw into and unscrew from apples to fill. Shakers are in perfect condition with no cracks, hairlines or chips.

Measure approximately: 2.5" long by 1.75" wide

Machine Age Polished Aluminum Robot Sculpture

This Art Deco sculpture is ready to display with a custom Plexiglas stand

Wonderful 1940's Machine Age solid aluminum billet robot figure toy dip-mold sculpture on a custom Plexiglas stand.  Aluminium has been polished to a high gloss and looks incredible - this is ready to be displayed.

Measures approximately: 14" tall and weighs 8lbs.

Incredible + Rare Jumbo Catalin Dice in Clear Red - 4" Square

Rare Pair of Giant Catalin Dice - Seldom Seen

Seldom seen JUMBO clear red Catalin dice - these dice measure a large 4" square and weigh a hefty 2,177 grams total.  Beautiful garnet red with bubbles.

Dice are in great original condition + retain the factory gloss to the Catalin.  Show small signs of use consistent with age and careful use.

Catalin FADA "Radio-Lite" Bullet Model 1000 Seldom Seen Display Piece

Made in 1979 by Twilight Studios, Inc. Using Original Catalin FADA Parts

Seldom seen original Catalin FADA 1000 "Radio-Lite" lamp made in 1979 by Twilight Studios, Inc. using original Catalin FADA cabinets + trim.  In the late 1970's a warehouse was discovered containing several FADA Radio cabinets and parts - no chassis'. Some of the radios were sold to radio dealers, but the majority of the the parts were sold to Twilight Studios, Inc.  They then fitted them with a lamp assembly + sold to a few Bloomingdale's where they were marketed as the "Radio-Lite" made from original radios. Please see the photo of the original tag that came with radio lamp + magazine clipping explaining the history of these lamps.  This all original "Radio-Lite" glows beautifully when lit, a striking display piece, that would enhance any Art Deco or radio collection.

The radio cabinets found consisted of FADA 1000 Bullets or 652 Temples and were for the most part yellow cabinets with red or yellow trim - some with insert grilles. To convert these radios to A "Radio-Lite" the grill + dial openings were covered with red Plexiglas to add to the beautiful glow of the cabinet, the original Fada knobs were glued in place + retractable handle attached. Existing bottom screw holes were utilized to attach lamp assembly

Complete examples are seldom seen as most of these lamps have been converted back to radios - this one has survived in its original state. The cabinet + trim are original FADA and are free of cracks or repairs and not modified. Radio retains a beautiful factory gloss. Radio comes with original paper tag + accompanying newspaper clipping from 1979.

Radio measures approximately: 10.25" Wide by 5.5" Deep by 6.5" High and is working as a lamp.

Shyvers Multiphone Art Deco Jukebox Selector with Bracket - Incredible Skyscraper Design

Rare Empire State Building Shyvers Jukebox Selector

Art Deco Shyvers "Multiphone" jukebox selector in cast aluminum with rare ornate wall bracket. This spectacular piece has a strong resemblance to the Empire State Building. The Shyvers Multiphone was invented in 1935 by Ken Shyvers, who is also credited for inventing the pinball machine. The strong Art Deco architectural lines make for a stunning display item.

The Multiphone was a music selection device that operated over telephone lines mostly in Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia, Washington from 1939 to 1959. These units were typically placed on tables, counters or bars. A patron could deposit a coin and speak with a telephone operator standing at a turntable at the Central Music studio, who would then play a selection in the speaker at the bottom of the Multiphone. These units became popular because they had a record range of 170 whereas jukeboxes only had a record range of 20-48.

This unit is in great original condition and is complete with the dark red faceted “jewels” + bright red grill cloth. The unit has the original screw-type lock and key to access the coin mechanism. The unit is in great condition for its age it has some scuffs and mold marks consistent with the molding process + years of use. The unit has a serial number #773 on top casting making this an early production model.

This stately Art Deco piece of coin-op history measures 17” high. This set is sold "as-is + untested", the insides seem complete. Jukebox selector is being sold as a "non-working" vintage electronic device that should be gone over by a qualified technician.

Rare Art Deco "Superlectric" Sandwich Maker with Catalin Bakelite Accents - Rare

Incredible Design with Yellow Catalin Accent Pieces

The Superlectric Sandwich Maker is one of the most uncommon Art Deco chrome and yellow Catalin Bakelite trim sandwich makers ever manufactured. Made in the 1930's by Superior Electric Product Corp. in St. Louis, MO. This highly stylized Art Deco designed sandwich maker floating on a tubular chrome frame is absolutely stunning. From its speed lines running across the top intersected by the temperature gauge to it's rounded + tapered edges and bright yellow Bakelite cylinder handles  interspersed with chrome discs. This series of small home appliances made by Superlectric is rarely seen.

The design is reminiscent of the streamlined locomotives, ocean-liners and automobiles of the 30's. This was definitely a design made for the "kitchens of the future" during this era.

Toaster is stamped on the bottom: SUPERLECTRIC MF'D by Superior Elect Prod. Corp., Cape Girardeau, MO. - No 25 Series 3.5 AMP = 110 120 VOLTS AC or DC.

Stunning Catalin Bakelite Cigarette Box in Deep Green with Carved Cigarette

One of the Top 5 Catalin Cigarette Boxes in Dark Green

Stunning Catalin Bakelite "Cigarette" Box in Deep Green with Carved Cigarette.  This box with it's figural hand carved Catalin cigarette on the lid is one of the rarest boxes to find. This box is one of only a few boxes featured in both the "The Bakelite Jewelry Book" by Davidov + Dawes on page 65 and "The Bakelite Collection" by Matthew L. Burkholz