If you like colorful, fun, funky jewelry, then plastic jewelry just might be your main collecting passion.
The latest book on the subject is by Leigh Leshner. The photos are fantastic and Leigh's presentation is top notch. You can purchase the book through amazon.com by clicking on either the book photo or title.
[Click on the jacket cover or title to buy this book now from amazon.com]
A small sample of some of the fun pieces I've had are below.
[Click on the thumbnails for larger, more detailed images.]
c. 1930's Celluloid Airplane Hair Clips. Absolutely fabulous rare pair of c. 1930's carved celluloid "bomber" airplane barrettes. Mint condition. wingspan: 1-5/8", length: 1-3/8"; total length (includes "clip"): 1-1/2"
This absolutely adorable 1920 to 1930's celluloid airplane pin can't help but bring a smile to your face. It's engraved with white paint to add detailing and studded with clear rhinestones for windows. Just adorable! If you're an airplane lover, this is for you! length: 1-1/2", width: 1-1/8"
1930' s Mechanical Terrier Pin. c. 1930's Unique and rare mechanical terrier dog face pin with moveable eyes of laminated ivory-colored plastic (celluloid?) with carved details. This whimsical little dog's eyes move to the top when the ribbon around his neck is moved to the side. Painted ears, mouth, nose, and black and white moveable eyes. Brown bow around neck has carved details accented with brightly colored paints in red, yellow and green. Pin back assembly inset into reverse. Marked Reg. No. 827519. width: 1-5/8", length: 2-5/8"
c. 1930's Molded Plastic Mechanical Dog Pin. So adorable! Molded plastic scottie dog pin with bone in paw of moveable arm and ball in paw of othe upright arm. This dorable character sports a red painted visor and mouth, black nose and eye. [There is minor loss of paint on visor.] Riveted pin back with c-clasp. Marked MADE IN U.S.A. length: 2", width: 1-3/8"
c. 1930's Celluloid Elephant Pin. This silly guy is sure to make you laugh. Adorable celluloid elephant pin with painted hair on top, outlined trunk, ear, mouth and tongue, and the best part, legs that swing when you move. width: 2-5/8", height: 2"
Vaudeville anyone? c. 1930's molded plastic whimsical pin of green "soft shoes", white "straw" hat and brown cane. Fun! width: 2-1/2", height: 2-1/4"
c. 1930's Wood and Lucite Bird Pin. Carved wooden bird with painted yellow bill, black and white eye, green accent on neck and white and yellow strip down back. The wooden body is applied on a single piece of lucite with undercarved wings and tail. Inset flat back hinge clip with c-clasp in lucite wings. length: 4", height: 2"
c. 1930 Molded Plastic Bangle Bracelet. Fantastic pale yellow bracelet with center chrysanthemum in superb detail with its curved and etched petals and "studded" center flanked on the sides with a different and smaller variety of chrysanthemum. The "strap" of the bracelet is ridged into five rows. [There is a slight uneveness at the back where the two sides are joined.] inner circumference: 8"; flower area: length: 4", width: 1-5/8" other views
c. 1930's Black Plastic Bangles with Black Rhinestone Sleeves. . Fantastic pair of c. 1930's black celluloid bangles with a "sleeve" of fishnet black rhinestones. [The rhinestones are threaded through their centers in a fishnet manner to form the sleeve.] inner circumference: 8", width: 3/4" other view
Too cool! Great vintage c. 1950 to 1960's lucite irregularly domed ring with bands of bright green and blue interspersed between the clear. size: 7-1/2
c. 1930's black "rolled" celluloid and clear rhinestone dress clip. [See "Collectible Costume Jewelry, Identification and Values" by Cherri Simmonds, p. 6.] length: 1-1/4", width: 1-7/16"
c. 1950's black plastic lorgnette glasses with aurora borealis and simulated pearl trim. Glasses fold in the center which is decorated with four silver six-pointed stars. Loop for chain. closed: height: 1-1/4", width: 3-1/8"; open: height: 3-1/2", width (handle extended straight out: 7", width (handle down): 4-1/4"
1900 to 1910 Art Nouveau celluloid hair comb made to simulate tortoiseshell trimmed in 10K yellow gold with engraved period floral motif. height: 3-1/16", width: 4-3/4"; comb depth: 2"
To see select pieces by the costume jewelry designers listed below, clicking on a name will bring you to a page with images of items I have and/or had by that designer.
To see items for sale by any of the designers listed or others for that matter, enter their last name, e.g., Haskell, in the SEARCH box (to the right above) and click the button below it. You will be taken to a page with a complete description, size, price and thumbnail (which you can click for a more detailed view) of items available by that designer.
You can order any item(s) directly from that page by clicking in the checkbox next to the item(s) you wish to order and then clicking the button ADD ITEMS TO MY CART. To purchase additional items or to browse the catalogue, use the drop-down menu at the top of each page of the catalogue.