Customer Reviews

The Bakelite Collection

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This book will take your breath away. If you're a Bakelite aficionado, you'll want this book to show others why you are. If you're a novice collector, as I am, you'll see how wrong you were if you thought Bakelite consisted of jewelry, radios, napkin rings and salt and pepper shakers (though those are here, too, and probably as you've never seen them). And if you (perhaps most enviously of all) have no idea what Bakelite is, this book is the best possible introduction. Color photographs spaciously and copiously displayed throughout tell the story, with just enough text to supplement without being invasive.

Much of the book's power derives from the ways in which different collectors display and combine their Bakelite. Sometimes it's the sheer volume that makes the impact, and sometimes it's the unexpected and witty use of Bakelite where you'd expect to see real fruit or flowers. And sometimes, when a piece is just extraordinary, it'll be shown on a jacket lapel or on a wrist -- and that's all you'd want.

Categories include things like "Patriotic," "Carved," "Reverse Carved," "Nautical," "School Days," "European," "Tropicale," "The Bakelite Table," but these are merely organizational devices that don't in any way make the presentation monotonous or predictable. The colors of Bakelite are as varied as the pieces in which they're found. With this much variety, there's nothing monotonous about the Bakelite on display.

I bought this book on a whim and without benefit of being able to page through it; seldom have I had a whim so handsomely and expensively rewarded. I say "expensively," because the book sends me to ebay, where I'll begin adding to those napkin rings and s/p shakers immediately.

Matthew L. Burkholz is one of the premiere dealers of Bakelite jewelry. When he was writing and compiling this book, he had access to the collections of today's leading collectors . Because of this, his book showcases the greatest assortment of high end Bakelite jewelry I've ever seen. Everything is in here, from Celluloid and Lucite to the most wonderful Bakelite available. There's even a section on Bakelite barware and salt and pepper shakers. Matthew's informative comments, and John Hylton's beautiful photographs, give the reader a delicious and delightful education. Published in 1997, the price guide seems accurate. Probably the most unique and fun feature of this book is that Matthew includes a chapter on the collectors themselves. With several pages devoted to each, we learn about the people and their collections. The reader also gets a glimpse into the homes of some collectors and is able see how they display and live with their collections. Guaranteed to make you drool, this book is great!

This book is excellent for top-of-the-line Bakelite. The pieces you see in this book are the best examples of Bakelite and are rarely found in today's market - the collectors already have them. But it's good to see 'the best' so you will know what to look for when shopping for Bakelite - sometimes you find a rare piece. I was lucky to buy a few of these pieces from a collector who was selling. I bought what I could afford and have been wearing them since. I started buying a few pieces at the flea mart at reasonable prices but soon I wanted the better ones, that was 20 years ago and I'm still wearing them and enjoying them. The best thing about Bakelite jewelry is you can wear and enjoy your collection. Don't hesitate to buy this book, it's the best one out there and I have them all. The more knowledge you have the better you will be when finding good pieces. Good Luck and have fun collecting.

The pictures are excellent. There are more pictures in this book than in any other Bakelite book I bought. The book has a tremendous variety of bakelite that I have ever seen (pins, bracelets, crib toys). I rate it an A++++.

Beautifully photograped bakelite jewelry and objects. A must for any beginning or advanced collector. Great guide for a "wish list". Highly reccommended.

I was so happy to get this book. The seller was very patient with me as I had a problem with my card. She updated me and made the transaction possible for me to get this great book.She went that extra step and I am pleased.

I bought this book to learn about Bakelite, to get an idea of prices and for bakelite other than jewelry. If you are looking for a book with a lot of pretty color pictures of jewelry, this book is for you. For my needs, there was only 4 pages that I found useful.