Bakelite Canisters and Bessemer Plates (updating Nov 2023)
Bakelite Canisters were in most Australian kitchens in the 1940s and 1950s, and Bessemer Plates were at most BBQs in the 1960s. So who made these fantastic plastic items?
Vintage Australian Plastic Makers
This article on Vintage Australian Plastic Makers tries to identify all Australian makers of plastic kitchenware from the advent of Bakelite in the 1920s to the 1960s. Where I have found information on the history of the maker and the extent of their range, I have included this. I have also included some notes on Prices and Availability and a brief history of Plastic Development. I would love to here your comments, corrections, or any knowledge you can add.
I have been making regular updates as I discover new makers and items so come back again.
Correcting myself: I had always thought of plastic dinnerware as primarily for use at picnics or BBQs, however I have since learned that until dishwashers and microwaves became popular in homes, quality plastic dinnerware was used on the dinner table (ref 12). This should not surprise, given how visually appealing most of it is.
Nylex Bessemer Melmac Plate
Duperite Canisters
EON Bakelite Canisters SOLD – see details
This is my second article for the website. I became interested in early Australian plastic kitchenware about 2010 and took the opportunity to do some research. I did not find a lot on the internet about Australian Makers and what I did find was all over the place with quite a few inconsistencies. I have tried to weave it together, but must apologise in advance for any mistakes as I am not an expert and did not purchase any expensive reference books.
The best single source I found was, the Sydney Power House Museum website (again), so if you have accessed that site, you will recognise some of my content. There were many great photos on the internet but I decided to stick with my own.
Thank you to all the people who have sent me information and corrections. Your input has been excellent and proves that I am not alone in my plastics obsession.
Any retro plastic items I have for sale will be listed in my For Sale Gallery
Makers: Manufacturers & Brand Names
I thought there would be only half a dozen manufacturers with the same number of brands, however it was not so simple and there is clearly more to know than what I have here. Often the same or very similar moulds were used by different manufacturers and the patented plastics like Bakelite, Duperite and Melmac were not exclusive to one maker.
According to the Plastic Pioneers Newsletter 2013, “In the 1940’s and 1950’s there were ten companies producing Bakelite or more correctly thermoset domestic ware. They were Nally, Eon, Helix, Sellex, Nylex, Iplex, (names with an ‘ex’ at the end were seen as modern) Tilley, Bristilite and Duperite (the ending evoking ‘Bakelite’) ACI also had Garnite.” (ref 1). There were other Australian companies producing other types of plastic as well.
According to a 1973 ANU thesis on the Australian Plastics Industry 1945-1968, “the processing industry as a whole is characterised by a large number of small firms and a small number of large firms.” “There were approximately 600 factories engaged in processing plastics in 1967/68… and 571 factories… were engaged in plastic moulding…” (ref 17). Of course these factories made more products than the kitchen wares of interest to this article.
With help I have identified 31 kitchen ware makers from 1920 to 1970 … I will call it a ‘draft’ list. I have discussed them in the order that I believe they started manufacturing. I have made a summary list at the end of this article.
Nally Ware Back Stamp
Marquis Back Stamp
EON Back Stamp
Helix Back Stamp
Sellex Back Stamp
Coronation Ware Back Stamp
Nylex Bessemer Back Stamp
Bartone Back Stamp
Iplex Back Stamp
Tilley Back Stamp
Britholite Back Stamp
Commonwealth Moulding Company Pty Ltd was producing Bakelite products in Arncliffe Sydney from about 1925 to at least 1945. They produced under the name ‘Marquis’ and were pioneers in the Australian plastics industry. “At one time every school ruler and a wide range of kitchenware were produced under the ‘Marquis’ brand…” (ref: 2). Included in the Bakelite range were canisters, spice canisters and dinnerware. Included in the plastic range were serving/fruit bowls, sweet dishes, dessert spoons, insulated water jugs, insulated serving bowls with lid, rectangular trays, a citrus juicer, mugs, rolling pins, measuring jugs, measuring cups with flip top lids, mixing bowls, children’s feeding bowls, jelly molds, flour sifter, screw top jars, egg cups, drinks trays, lidded sugar bowl, a cruet set, and salt & pepper shakers.
Marquis Art Deco Canisters
Marquis Measure Jug & Citrus Juicer
Marquis Lidded Sugar Bowl
Marquis Cutlery
Marquis Thermos Bowls
Marquis Measuring Cup
Marquis Back Stamp
Marquis Plate and S&P
Moulded Products Australasia Pty Ltd (MPA) was established by John Derham in 1927 and was the first plastics firm in Victoria. They purchased ‘Beetle’ powder from the British Cyanide Company to make Duperite. A 1950s add suggests they made dinnerware under license from a US Company under the names ‘Duperite Superware’ and ‘Duperite Everware’. They also made products under the names ‘Harlequin Ware’ ‘Duperite Coronation Ware’. They produced a range of canisters, screw top jars, salt box, dinnerware and platters, salt & pepper shakers and useful kitchen items like measuring spoons, scoops and funnels. They also produced lamps, desk organisers and ink well stands. Later (maybe during the 1960s) they produced the ‘Vogue’ range of Melmac items that included jugs, tumblers, cups and saucers, sugar bowls, butter dishes, salt and pepper shakers, dinnerware and BBQ platters. In 1966 the company became part of Nylex Pty Ltd (ref 3) (see more below on Nylex Bessemer).
Duperite Coronation Ware
Coronation Ware Back Stamp
Vogue Back Stamp
Duperite Back Stamp
Duperite Scoop & Vogue Jug
Duperite Scoop
Duperite Back Stamp
Duperite Canisters
Bristolite Canisters Art Deco Canisters
Bristolite Back Stamp
Bristolite Deco Canisters Green
EON produced a range of Bakelite canisters from the 1930s through the 1950s. They also produced screw top jars, kitchen gadgets, rolling pins, picnic ware and from the 1950s flip-top storage containers.
EON Cups & Canister SOLD – see details
EON Bakelite Canisters SOLD – see details
EON Back Stamp
Eon Art Deco Bakelite Canisters
EON Screw Top Jar
Eon Canister Large – SOLD
Eon Lid Stamp
Eon Flip-Top Canister
Eon Rolling Pin
Nally Products was born in Sydney in 1923 when Nat Fienberg and Wally Wakeham imported Condensite to make more reliable timers for the T-Model Ford. By the 1930s Nally soon began moulding other items including a range of Bakelite kitchen ware (ref 4). The ‘Royal Nally Ware’ range in mottled Bakelite included a teapot, cups & saucers, coffee mugs, lidded bowls, trays and water cups. The regular range included round (Nally) and squared Bakelite canisters (Nally Ware), bread bins, screw top spice jars, egg cups, tennis plates, beakers, cups and saucers, coffee cans and saucers. During the 1960s the plastics range extended to include biscuit barrels, cup & plate sets, beakers and ‘modern’ squared canisters.
Royal Nally Ware Back Stamp
Nally Bakelite Canisters
Nally Back Stamp
Nally Ware Back Stamp
Nally 8cm Beaker
Nally Biscuit Barrel
Sellex made Bakelite products in Sydney from the 1930s. Their range included planters, dinnerware, children’s tea sets, lidded jugs, measuring cups, Bakelite canisters, spice canisters, sandwich boxes and shakers.
Sellex Canister
Sellex Scoop
Sellex Back Stamp
Sellex Child’s Tea Set Plates
Haxby Ware Back Stamp
British Plastics Pty Ltd had a factory in Melbourne that opened prior to 1937 and closed in 1978. They produced a range of Bakelite canisters, breadboards, dinnerware, butter dishes, coronation mugs, money boxes, coat hangers, toast racks, egg cups, scoops and a vegetable drainer. Their lunch boxes were regularly included in the picnic sets that came in a case. They also produced a range of Melmac dinnerware under the name ‘Ornamin Ware’ and a range of storage containers and flip-top canisters under the name ‘Hostess Ware’.
British Plastics Lunch/Picnic Boxes
Carefree Picnic Case with Lunch Boxes
British Plastics Canister
British Plastics Plate
British Plastics Back Stamp
British Plastics Canisters
British Plastics Curved Canisters
British Plastics Vegie Drainer
Ornamin Ware Oval Plate
Ornamin Ware Back Stamp
British Plastics Scoops
Ornamin Dinner Set Blue
Ornamin Tea Cups Gold
Hostess Ware Label
Hostess Ware Snack Tray
Ornamin Ware Melmac Jug
Ornamin Ware Plates
Ornamin Plates & Bowls
Ornamin Ware Back Stamp
Ornamin Dinner Set Green
Ornamin Patterned Plates
Iplex Industrial Plastics made Bakelite products in Adelaide from the 1930s. Their range included spice jars with rack, Bakelite canisters, cups, plates, tennis plates, picnic sets and salt boxes.
Iplex Back Stamp
Ibis Ware made Bakelite products in Melbourne. Thy made a covered cheese dish and salt & pepper shakers in a cruet stand.
Ibis Ware S&P Set
Ibis Ware Back Stamp
Helix made Bakelite products during the 1940s. Their range included measuring cups and salt & pepper shakers in green and blue.
Helix Measuring Cups
Helix Back Stamp
Precision Plastics made products in Sydney (near the State Theatre) during the 1940s. Their range included egg cups (tulip shaped), salt & pepper shakers and children’s tea sets.
Tilley Plastics made Bakelite products in Sydney during the 1940s. Their range included Napkin rings, cake lifter, egg cup sets in a stand, spoons, salad servers, compote, standing lamps, side/wine tables and drinks trays.
Tilley Drinks Tray
Tilley Back Stamp
Moldex Co. made Bakelite products in Melbourne. Their range included drinks trays, salad bowls, egg cups, squeeze bottles and a toy fire truck.
Moldex Back Stamp
Bartone made Bakelite products in Sydney in the 1940s. Many of their pieces have catalogue numbers and a map of Australia cast on the underside. Not all pieces have a back stamp. They specialised in dinnerware (ref 5) but also produced vegetable keepers (crispers) for the fridge, salt boxes, recipe boxes, cake keepers, biscuit barrels and Bakelite canisters.
Bartone Square Cake Box
Bartone Back Stamp
Malbren made Melamine products in Melbourne that are advertised for sale in the 1950s. Their range included mixing bowls, cups, saucers, plates and snack dishes or sundae boats.
Malbren Mixing Bowl
Malbren Back Stamp
Malbren Sundae Boats
Glensunite Melb (L&I Glenn Pty Ltd Melb) was producing plastic items in the 1950s. The name Glensunite was trade marked on 1 Jan 1900 and may have been a material name like Bakelite or Duperite. They produced a Cigarette case, drinking cups, a pull along toy and an Airline Food Tray for Tasman Empire Airways Ltd (NZ) (1940-1965).
Glensunite Back Stamp
Glensunite Back Stamp
Glensunite Beakers
Dalson Products Pty Ltd was founded in 1946 and around 1950 invented the Classic Aussie Peeler. They produced a range of plastic and metal kitchen utensils under the Dalsonware name and are still in business. They also produced plastic jelly moulds.
Dalsonware Kitchen Utensils
Dalsonware Back Stamp
Ferolux Products Pty Ltd was producing Bakelite products in Melbourne by the 1950s. They produced the round cake cooler shown (ref 13), which has no back stamp, and most likely the square cake keep and rectangular vegetable coolers also. They made some ingenious products including a ‘soap sudser’, ‘a whip set’ (for beating and decorating), a ‘gyro mixer plastic juicer’ (cup with juicer and lid) around 1952, a round apple cutter, Mix and match two-sided hinged lunch boxes, a donut maker, a speckled dinner plate and flip top canisters.
Ferolux Cake Keeper
Bakelite Cake & Veg Keepers
ACI (Australian Consolidated Industries) Pty Ltd (1939-1982) made Garnite products during the 1950s under the name ‘Garnite Superior Plastics’. Garnite was ‘unbreakable’ polyethylene. Their range included canisters, lidded bowls, measuring jug, cake box, screw top bottles, squeeze bottles, lidded decanter with tumblers, flower pots with saucers, cigarette boxes, salt & pepper shakers, drinks trays, clothes hangers, eye baths and bowls. They also produced salt and pepper shakers under the name ‘Winton Plastics‘.
Garnite Salt & Pepper Shakers
Garnite Back Stamp
Willow Ware P/L was established as Wilson Bros in Melbourne in 1887 as a metal working operation ‘making tinned plate tea and biscuit canisters’ (ref 13). In the late 1950s, they ventured into plastics, and with the introduction of injection moulding and blow-moulded products and in 1965 became Willow Ware Pty Ltd to be more closely associated with the Willow brand. Willow is the country’s largest maker of plastic pegs and also makes plastic storage containers. Vintage items made include plastic lids for metal canisters, drinks trays and measuring cups.
Willow 1 Cup Measure
Willow Dinks Tray
Willow Back Stamp
TAMCO Pty Ltd (Tool and Moulding Co.) was established in 1955 in Preston Victoria and later moved to West Heidelberg (ref 1). They produced Melmac products under the name ‘Hollywood’. Their range included trivets, dinnerware, mixing bowls, cake plates, butter dish, sugar bowls, cream and milk jugs, salt & pepper shakers, cups and saucers, egg cups, mugs and snack dishes or sundae boats.
Hollywood by TAMCO Plate – SOLD
Hollywood Melmac Platter – SOLD
Hollywood Sugar Bowl – SOLD
Hollywood Milk & Sugar
Hollywood Sundae Boats
Hollywood by TAMCO Back Stamp
Hollywood Tamco Melmac Plate
Nylex Bessemer
Nylex Corporation Australia (from 1966) had its origins in the 1930s as Moulded Products Pty Ltd, are well known for Plastic Injection Molding (ref 6). The Nylex trademark was registered in 1941 (ref 14). They have been affiliated with many American and Australian plastics companies. Bessemer Australia have been producing high quality cookware since the 1960s. In the 1970s, Bessemer appears to have had Nylex (trademark registered in 1941) make a range of pieces and patterns for them from Melmac. Melmac is a brand name of melamine powder manufactured and distributed by the American Cyanamid Company, and most likely produced in Australia under American License.
The chief designer at Nylex at the time was Lionel Suttie (ref 7). Lionel was an Industrial Designer and responsible for designing utility ware from Melmac including ‘Quartic’ salad sets and punch sets, butter dishes, milk jugs and sugar bowls. In the 1970s he also designed for B.X. Plastics.
Nylex Bessemer also produced a large range of household plain and patterned dinnerware including plates, platters, bowls, mugs, cup & saucers, covered butter dishes & sugar bowls, ash trays, and tea dispensers.
Bessemer Europa Sectioned Platters
Nylex Back Stamp
Bessemer Plates x 2 SOLD – see details
Bessemer Nylex Platter
Bessemer Wheat Plate
Nylex Bessemer Back Stamp
Nylex Bessemer Saucer
Bessemer Platter Bordered
Bessemer Coffee Mugs
Nylex Bessemer Bowls
Nylex Bessemer Jugs
Bessemer Steak Plate
Bessemer Europa Snack Tray SOLD-see details
Bessemer Serving Bowl
Espresso Cups & Saucers
Bessemer Melmac Plate
Bessemer Double Egg Cups
Bessemer Side Plate
Bessemer Butter Dish
B.X. Plastics Australia P/L made plastic products in East Brighton, Melbourne from the 1950s. They were part of British Xylonite 1938-1999. Their range included squared ‘Capri’ hard plastic canisters in single and harlequin colours with a variety of lids and label styles. They also made round stacking servers and other kitchen and utility items. Museums Victoria has a great catalogue of their C1970s range.
In the 1970s Lionel Suttie designed the iconic Capri Casa Ware range of canisters for B. X Plastics.
Green Capri Canisters Stackable
Capri Back Stamp
BX Plastics Capri Sugar
Harlequin Capri Canisters
Pierwood Plastics Company, operated in Sydney and started life making toys in the 1930s and 40s. They moved into kitchen ware about 1947 under the name Fethalite.
They produced very popular kitchen ware under the name Gay Plastics and ‘Gay Ware’ from 1950-56. Their range was made from Fethalite with iconic raised lettering and included Bakelite canisters, spice canisters with rack, cheese and butter dishes, jam, honey and sugar pots, salt & pepper shakers, bread and cake keepers, scone bins, measuring cups, salt cellars and tea dispensers. They also produced mixing bowls and screw top jars.
When Pierwood plastics folded, Nylex bought the patterns and the backstamp and the label changed to ‘Nylex Gayware’ (ref 11).
Gayware Canister – no back stamp
Fethalite Back Stamp
Gay Ware Back Stamp
Prestige Plastics (Aust.) P/L Melbourne produced a citrus juicer, a scoop, and a range of plastic storage and fridge and freezer containers from the 1950s that included bread boxes, lunch boxes and screw top freezer jars.
Prestige Freezer Jars
Prestige Back Stamp
Prestige Deco Fridge Jars
Prestige Scoop
Brian Davis and Company Melbourne became Decor Corporation in 1958. Their first product designed by Brian Davis in the late 1950s was the Habana Beaker Set (ref 15) with 6 cups in a container. They also produced 72 pack Party/Cocktail Forks, boxed eggcups and spoons sets , and a harlequin beaker sets with plastic rack, before becoming Decor. Other designers to work for Decor during the 1960s and 1970s include Tony Wolfenden and Richard Carlson.
Brian Davis Back Stamp
Brian Davis Habana Beakers
Associated Plastics P/L Melbourne may have started production in the 1960s. They produced a range that included dinnerware, salt and pepper duos, citrus juicers, mixing bowls, jugs, cups and lidded storage cups called ‘Handy Cans’. Under the name ‘Kristaware’ they produced sandwich savers, jugs, scissor style salad servers, utility jars, lidded containers and stemmed sweet bowls.
Associated Plastics Beaker
Associated Plastics Back Stamp
Associated Plastics Handy Cans
Mixing Bowl, Citrus Juicers, S&P Duo
Kristaware Back Stamp
Assoc Plastics Dinnerware
Assoc Plastics Handy Cans
Kristaware Lidded Container
Sydenham Plastics Melbourne were making metal and plastic products in the 1960s. They produced a range under the name ‘frescoware’ that included harlequin stemmed sweet bowls and egg cups, salt & pepper (in boxed sets) and utensils including strainer scoop, potato masher, egg lifter, crepe spatula, soup ladel, meat fork and shishkebab sticks. They also produced boxed sets of EPNS serving ware and dessert spoons with plastic handles.
frescoware back stamp
Frescoware Utensils
Sydenham Box Label
Newlyne Back Stamp
J Glaser Mini Beakers
J Glaser & Co Back Stamp
Tupperware was created in the USA in the 1940s and introduced into Australia in 1961. They started manufacturing in Melbourne in the 1960s and produced a large range of products in pastels.
1960s Pastel Tupperware The light blue flip top container (top left) is from EON and the light blue boxes (bottom right) are from Prestige.
Prices and Availability
Prices and availability varies widely in this very large product field, depending on condition and desirability, but I will share my observations so far.
- You can still pick up individual pieces in various states of cleanliness and repair at markets for as little as 50 cents for a cup or $2 for a canister.
- If you want Bakelite Canisters sets be prepared to pay up to $20 a canister depending on the number of pieces and the overall condition.
- Some patterned BBQ platters can go for as much as $25 each on eBay.
- Dinnerware set pieces can be found for $1 a piece at markets and op-shops but desirable colours and patterns in sets can be as much as $5 a piece at op-shops and on eBay.
- I have been lucky and have bought plastic pieces for $2 each on eBay but generally they are priced higher and the bidding usually goes higher than this.
- A Bessemer or Hollywood sugar bowl, jug or butter dish will cost from $10 on-line.
- Your average market seller does not appear to have caught on to the desirability of these items yet, but some op-shops have and are pricing accordingly.
Summary of Manufacturers
- Commonwealth Moulding Company Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW, ‘Marquis’
- Moulded Products Australasia P/L (MPA), VIC, ‘Harlequin Ware’, ‘Vogue’, ‘Duperite Coronation Ware’
- Bristolite
- EON
- Nally Products, Sydney NSW,’Royal Nally Ware’
- Sellex, Sydney NSW
- Haxby Ware
- British Plastics P/L, Melbourne VIC,’Ornamin Ware’, ‘Hostess Ware’
- Iplex Industrial Plastics, Adelaide SA
- Ibis Ware, Melbourne VIC
- Helix
- Precision Plastics, Sydney NSW
- Tilley Plastics, Sydney NSW
- Moldex Co., Melbourne VIC
- Bartone, Sydney NSW
- Malbren, Melbourne VIC
- Glensunite Melb (L&I Glenn Pty Ltd Melb), Melbourne VIC
- Dalson Products P/L
- Ferolux Products P/L, Melbourne VIC
- ACI P/L (Australian Consolidated Industries), ‘Garnite Superior Plastics’, ‘Winton Plastics’
- Willow, Melbourne VIC
- TAMCO P/L (Tool and Moulding Co.), Melbourne VIC, ‘Hollywood’
- Nylex Bessemer, VIC
- B.X. Plastics Australia P/L, Melbourne VIC, ‘Capri’
- Pierwood Plastics Company, Sydney NSW, ‘Gay Ware’
- Prestige Plastics (Aust.) P/L, Melbourne VIC
- Brian Davis Company Melbourne (Decor), Melbourne VIC
- Associated Plastics P/L, Melbourne VIC, ‘Kristaware’
- Sydenham Products, Melbourne VIC, ‘frescoware’
- Glaser & Co. (inc. Newlyne Mfg. Co. Pty. Ltd), Melbourne VIC
- Tupperware, Melbourne VIC
Plastic Development
The word plastic comes from the Greek verb plassein, which means “to mold or shape.”
“The first plastic, stuff called casein, was made from cheese. It was discovered by the German alchemist Bartholomaus Schobinger and was used to replace horn in marquetry work.” (ref 9)
In 1869 John Wesley Hyatt, a young inventor in Upstate New York invented Celluloid (based on cotton cellulose) in response to a shortage of ivory. “It could be molded into a shape or pressed paper-thin and then cut or sawed into usable forms. It could be mottled in browns and ambers to emulate tortoiseshell; traced with veining to look like marble; infused with the bright colours of coral, lapis lazuli, or carnelian to resemble those and other semiprecious stones; or blackened to look like ebony or jet. Celluloid made it possible to produce counterfeits so exact that they deceived “even the eye of the expert.” (ref 8)
“As with celluloid, Bakelitewas invented to replace a scarce natural substance: shellac, a product of the sticky excretions of the female lac beetle.” In 1907 Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite “by combining formaldehyde with phenol, a waste product of coal, and subjecting the mixture to heat and pressure. Bakelite could be precisely molded and machined into nearly anything, from tubular industrial bushings the size of mustard seeds to full-size coffins.” (ref 10). Bakelite was used for everything from radios to car parts, telephones to combs.
The first wave of popularity for Bakelite came in 1927 when it became available in a wide array of colours. (ref 9) Bakelite is a thermoset plastic that does not respond to heat or cold which is why you’ll still find vintage Bakelite phones, pens, bangles, and even combs that look nearly brand-new.
“The 1920s and ’30s saw an outpouring of new materials from labs around the world” (ref 8)… including non-flammable celluloid, polystyrene, Styrofoam, nylon (artificial silk). Later derivatives include Teflon and Kevlar.
References
- Plastic Pioneers Newsletter Edition #129 Autumn 2013 found at http://www.plasticspioneers.com/Documents/Newsletter129.pdf
- “’Marquis’ Bakelite four plastic mugs, 1925 – 1935” found at http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=76918
- “Plastic articles made by Moulded Products (Australasia) Pty Ltd, Australia, 1930-1936” found at http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=243130
- “Collection of Nally Ware” found at http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=237510
- “Bartone Picnic Plates” April 17 2014, found at https://reretro.wordpress.com/tag/bartone-bakelite-picnic-plates/
- “Nylex and Mentone” found at http://localhistory.kingston.vic.gov.au/htm/article/384.htm
- “Nylex Bessemer Australia Kitchen Designs” found at http://retrochalet.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/nylex-bessmer-australia-kitchen-designs.html
- “A Brief History of Plastic’s Conquest of the World” Scientific American May 29, 2011, found at https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-brief-history-of-plastic-world-conquest/
- “Retro – A Guide to the Mid-20th Century Design Revival” Chapter 5 – Plastic, Adrian Franklin, 2011, University of New South Wales Press Ltd, Australia.
- “Manufacturers’ Monthly Material of the Month part 1:Bakelite” found at http://www.manmonthly.com.au/features/manufacturers-monthly-material-of-the-month-part-1-bakelite/
- Thank you to John Reynolds of the Facebook group called ‘Canister Collective’ who corrected and added to my information on Gay Ware.
- http://wwwantiquesattic.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/history-of-melmac-dinnerware-its-care.html
- Thank you to Mel Boston from the ‘Australian Canister page’ for telling me that Ferolux Melbourne made my Bakelite Cake Keeper.
- http://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM01072b.htm for Nylex Corporation Australia
- http://ianwongresearch.blogspot.com/2011/06/habanna-decor-australias-first-product.html for Brian Davis
- https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/business-spectator/why-willow-is-made-to-last/news-story/a407f57cf48a9a879d166f9cfcf3e1fa
-
https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au › bitstream , “The Australia Plastics Industry: An Economic Analysis of Technical Change”., J.S. Marsden, Dec 1973 Dept of Economics, ANU.
Please have a look at my other articles and the retro homewares in my shop.. SHOP
See my retro plastic items for sale on eBay.
Thank you to the several people who have provided additional and corrective information for my article. I really appreciate that so many people have read the article and those who take time to send me a message. I have updated the article. cheers Cheryl
Fantastic article
I run a Australian Canister page and we use this for reference. You ask if anyone knew about the round Bakelite canister, is by a company called Ferolux from Melbourne. It originally Had cake cooler in it, with the product name, we have photos if you need them.
Thank you Mel, I shall add this company when I update my article (soon). Please send me the contact for your Australian Canister page so that I can have a look (and reference you too). Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
British Plastics also produced plastic coat hangers. I noticed “British Plastics Melbourne” on an old coat hanger still in use and found your excellent article when I looked them up. Now I know they are from 1978 or earlier.
Cheers,
Graeme
Hello Graeme, thanks for visiting and for the info. I will add it in when I next update the article. Cheers Cheryl
Thanks for your great post.
Hi Cheryl,
I collect Australian and New Zealand made electrical accessories and am familiar with four listed manufacturers and there associated brands, “Commonwealth Moulding Company” who also made bell presses, knife switches and 2 round pin plugs and sockets. Marques references: Collected peices
“Australian Moulded Products” who made, lamp holders, lamp holder adaptors, power point double adaptors (probably the first made in Aust/NZ, to suit Australian standard power outlets), plugs, bell presses, bell mouths and switch plates under the trade names, “Secura”, “Duperite”, (“AMC” ?Australian Moulding Corporation?-Suspected, to be confirmed) and “Roanoid”-through acquisition.
References, Collected pieces,
The Plastics Revolution, The story of Nylex (1983) Tim Hewat.
The Argus (Melb) 14/11/1943* and 22/4/1941*
Victorian Government Gazette page 4133, No 324, 26/11/1941*
Add in “Australasian Electrical Times” 30/10/1933*
“Malbren Plastic Company” who was in business between 1949 and 1954 (probably also earlier and later than this.), with a premises in East Malvern, Victoria made white and brown flush switch plates (brown in Bakelite).
Malben references: Collected pieces.
The Argus Newspaper (Melb) 5/9/1949*
The Advertiser Newspaper (Adel) 27/2/1953* and 13/3/1954*
“ACI Plastics Pty. Ltd” under the trade name “Garnite” also made double adaptors for power points some time around 1950, and under the trade name “Winton Plastics” (C. 1960-1971) also made lamp holder bases and galleries, salt and pepper shakers, bins and chairs.
Another company worth looking at from Perth, Western Australia is “Lusterite Plastic Products” C. 1949 to early 1980’s this company made pan handles, cups, other domestic ware and electrical fittings (esp. Ceiling Roses), broom backs for a broom manufacturer, water meter window covers and much more.
Lusterite references:
The West Australian (Perth) 8/6/1949* and Sunday Times (Perth) 23/8/1953*
Also is “Tilley” the same business as that of the same name in New Zealand “Tilley Plastics Ltd”, foundation prior to 1956, however dissolved in 1978.
Phillip
Hello Phillip. It is great to know I am not the only one with a minor plastics obsession. Clearly there was a significant overlap between kitchenware and electrical plastics manufacturers. I usually discover a new company after I have found a new back stamp on a plastic item. I look forward to checking out the references and extra companies you mention to see what else they made. Sorry I can’t answer your Tilley question (yet). Cheers Cheryl
Hurrah, that’s what I was looking for, what a information! present here at this weblog, thanks admin of this web page.
Please keep sharing.
Thanks for the update use this as a reference always
Hi Cheryl
I’m sorry I didn’t write back before about the canister group, our groups are face book Based
The Canister Collective
Which is the original group and now a second one called the Canister Catalogue.
The catalogue is a collection of all pictures, copy’s of packaging and artical collected by our members and posted up to share among ourselves as a reference.
I’ve been looking through your article I love how you keep adding and more, I can identify a few other items you have shared, find me on face book and I can help you fill in your gaps.
Hello Mel.
I know how busy life can be and keeping up with an on-line presence even more so.
I will definitely be checking out your groups on Facebook and will be adding a CCs Retro page to Facebook soon too.
Cheers Cheryl
Hello. Such an informative article, that shows how diverse Australian manufacturing was in its hey day. I am trying to find out information on Tiger Ware, made in Australia. I have a number of items that are motley blue and white bakelite. The salt and pepper shakers have a deco look to them. I was wondering if you have any information on the company? Thank in advance. Monique
Hello Monique.
Thank you for the positive comments. No, I have not heard of Tiger Ware Australia before. I would love to see a photo of your items and a photo of a backstamp.
It may be a brand name from a factory I do know about.
Cheers Cheryl
Hi Cheryl, thanks for the useful info. Just one little addendum to your information on Bartone Houseware. I have a piece that looks like a small rubbish bin or large cannister and though it has a place for a catalogue number there isn’t one and it also lacks a map of australia. Is it possible this was a prototype or some other reason it lacks the usual characteristics? I have photos if that helps…
Thanks
Anni
Hello Anni, and thank you for the info. As you can see from my article, I have very little info on Bartone and no photos of my own to include. Your guess is as good as mine on your item being typical or unusual. If you can send me a photos of your item and its back stamp I would love to include them in my article. Thank you Cheryl
June here, I wished to see if Bakelite, which was around when I was a child would have any more positive qualities than the current ‘plastic’ with its challenges to the environment. It did not give me much hope when Beetle powder was a by-product from the Cyanide company. I found I had inherited a small mug celebrating George the V1 & his wife Elizabeth, when he became King in 1937. Perfect for our grandson (2y.o.) to use. Good article thank you.
Hello June. I think we all want a better future with safe manufacturing processes and products. I like to think that by keeping vintage items in use, we are doing our bit. Cheers Cheryl
Hi Cheryl, love the info you have collected. Thought I would add to it by letting you know that Ferolux was my grandfather’s business (in Melbourne) and they made some ingenious products including mix and match two-sided hinged lunch boxes where one could swap the sides with one’s siblings and have half red/half blue (or whatever). Also a donut maker, clear flip top canisters with coloured lids and various other gadhets. However, none of it was bakelite, but rather hard or soft platics.
Hello Alison, fantastic to hear from you. Thank you for the information. I will include it when I next update my article. regards Cheryl
Hi Cheryl, My dad was a fitter and turner and partner in Precision Plastics, Sydney. I have an egg cup
with the logo on it.
This would have been late 40’s, I remember going there some times, up an ally near the State Theatre.
They made all types, things I remember salt and pepper shakers shaped like a tulip. Childrens tea sets .
The egg cup has=regd.design 25384.Only piece I have.
We moved from Sydney 1955.
Hello Patricia, great to hear from you. I have not heard of Precision Plastics Sydney before this. I did a quick internet search and cannot find anything else about them. If you can send photos of the egg cup and the logo/backstamp I can search some more and include them in my article. regards Cheryl
I have soft plastic cups by VICTORWARE – reg Melb..c 1950’s The only item / article i have found with the words Victorware was a toy boat sold via Ebay a couple years ago. This has me baffled. Do you have any information re the company.
Hello Audie.
I had not heard of Victorware before. I did an internet search too but could only find the boat you mentioned. Thank you for letting me know about the company. I will add it to my article and watch out for other items from Victorware. I would appreciate a photo of your cups and of the back stamp if you have them. Thank you Cheryl
Hi Cheryl
I have a set of colourful Vintage Canisters – Flour, Sugar, Rice, Tea & Coffee (5 altogether), which are exactly same as the Gay Ware canisters, but mine do not have any Gay Ware stamps on the bottom. As you have a great knowledge of these vintage items, do you know why mine don’t have any. I bought them at the collectable market about 15 years ago. I would appreciate it if you could help me.
Great to hear from another plastic fanatic 🙂
Thank you for the question Kumi but I don’t have an answer for you. The canister in my article has no backstamp either. There is a lot I don’t know about vintage plastic, but I try to put the things I find out into my article. regards Cheryl
Hi Cheryl, many thanks for sharing your great research – including the feedback from all your other commenters! If you’re on Instagram please check out my @plasticityalas where I’m databasing all my plastic cups and saucers. A new one everyday until I run out! Your comments and corrections would be most welcome. Also you might be interested in my exhibition of plastic cameras recently at the Canberra Museum and Gallery (google Form Beyond Function). Nigel
As I read your article again I see you have collected a lot more information since I last looked, people keep reposting this on our The Canister collective page and I always recommend this to read. It’s great to see this expanding and growing, I have some more photos and update I can send you, I have since found a cooler insert for the Ferolux cake cooler, where it is stamped with the name and in one other photo you show items you believe to be ferolux I think one might be feathalite, any way I will take the photos and send them to you, I also suggest you go to our little sister face book page called The canister catalogue as a group we have collected lots of photos and advertising of many of the products you have mentioned. And we’ve had a few nice ones appear lately. Anyway Thankyou again for your wonderful article I will hunt up those photos for you when I can.
Cheers Mel
Thanks Mel, your feedback is always welcome. Life has been a very different sort of busy since we have gone into isolation from Covid-19. I thought I might have had more time to update my website again, but not yet. cheers Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
I have left a comment in the past.
At the time I was of the belief that Winton plastics was a part of ACI. I have since read a large part of a biography, by Thomas Toren, Until we meet again, ISBN 9781452526799 (chapter 26, page134 to 142 is of interest.)
Thomas, worked for Advance Industries ltd. and states that Advance acquired a few companies (circa 1970) including Plastic prossesors Ltd. (Alexandra, NSW) and Winton Plastics (Melb), later Advance was to be split in two, one part going to Hygienic Lily (manufacturers of disposable picnic ware, etc…) and the other part, Advance Stationary to Esselte (office stationary products).
I have also read ‘The Plastics Revolution’, The Story of Nylex, by Tim Hewat, ISBN 0333338820, (page 26) mentions Saxon Ware, a range of phenolic, plates, cups and saucers that was made by ‘Australian Moulding Corporation, (Melb) circa late 1920’s/early 30’s.
Regards, Phillip
Hello Phillip,
Thank you. You are a font of information. I will look up these companies when I next update my article.
regards Cheryl
We have a Marquis cake or sandwich plate with centre carry handle I thought you might be interested in. It is a mottled green and pink colour radiating from the centre. I’d send a photo but I don’t see a way of doing it.
Regards Ian.
Thank you, but as much as I would like to see you plate, I generally only purchase items for my web articles that do not require postage.
Though not technically Australian (though we happily claim so much of there’s as ours, but I digress 🙂 ).
I came across a “Peter Pan” compression moulded plate from New Zealand listed on an Aust war memorial webpage.
And I also found some info on “Peter Pan”. These where made be H. C. Urlwin Ltd., Christ Church NZ., Urlwin made many household items under such tradenames as, “Speedee electrical appliances that included Jugs, Toasters, Irons etc…, “Titegrip” electrical accessories including switches, plugs, lampholders etc… “Purlex” home wares and “Peter Pan” kitchen wares.
Below is an exert from an article in “THE NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS MAGAZINE, VOLUME 14, ISSUE 6 (SEPTEMBER 1939)”
“Here, too, is the most complete bakelite plant in New Zealand, from which emerge the rainbow-coloured things known as “Peter Pan” ware. Blues, shimmering yellows, warm reds and browns, and dainty greens are comprised in table things of every type and size, from the condiment set to the serviette ring, from pin bowl to tankard.”
Reference; The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 14, Issue 6 (September 1939 …
http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-Gov14_06Rail.html
Thank for the info Phillip. I will be sure to look them up next time I update my article. Cheryl
Hi, great article.
Just an addition Iplex Adelaide also made biscuit and cake containers to match their bakelite canister and spice sets. Later they made soft plastic cake containers in various other colours.
Regards
Julie
Hello Julie. Thanks for the info. I will be sure to add this when I update my article. regards Cheryl
Hi Cheryl, recently purchased a children’s teaset by Sellex., complete and in original box….same square plates you showed in your article…….mine are dark green. On the front of the box is the original price…..13/6…..am guessing it’s a early 1950,s set from the graphics. Has no. 72 under teapot.
Hello Elizabeth. What a fantastic find. If your tea set looks unused or like new, I would be tempted to keep it that way. I have not seen a complete set for sale anywhere and when I googled there were only 2 pictured, so I think you have a rare item. Sadly, I cannot give you any idea of value. regards Cheryl
Hi Cheryl, I’d love some information on a small bowl with a fitted lid of the same colour. It’s 19cm wide, 6m with slight dome lid. It’s very dark in colour- motley green. The lid has 4 concentric circles. Underneath is Malbren Melb, I read that they did kitchen and picnic ware but the colour seems too dark and it’s quite masculine. I’d love to send you a photo if you’re interested. Kind regards Annmarie
Hello Annemarie.
I love a mystery. I will send you a private email that you can send a photo to. Cheryl
Hi I’m currently going through my mums cupboards and have found a few items I’m looking on the net for info on. I came across your site but couldn’t find a mention of the brand of a little canister I found. Thought you might be interested to know about it. It has a screw top lid and measures 6cm wide 5cm high.
On the base (a bit hard to read) it says “ Duperite Harlequin? Cat 714 “ made in Australia.
Kind regards Vicki
Hello Vicki, nice to hear from you. Your canister was made by Moulded Products Australasia in Victoria probably in the 950s. Duperite is the name of the type of plastic they used and the term Harlequin usually means that they were made in many colours. ‘Screw-top’ canisters are rarer that those with ‘sit-on’ lids. If you are interested to see/buy more canisters like yours, you could join the Facebook group ‘The Canister Collective’. There is a little canister in the second picture in my article that sounds like yours… different colour? Regards Cheryl
Found a great red ‘prunes’ canister by Eon down at my local op shop. It has a screw top lid and is in good condition. I love that they saw the need for a ‘prunes’ canister!
Hello Bronwen. Fabulous. I must decant my prunes out of the plastic bag and into a cool canister. I am so jealous. Cheryl
Hi, I wonder if anyone can help me? I just picked up a Duperite desk lamp for a steal. The top is a ball, which looks like the moon when turned on. It’s also able to be tilted downwards. The rest of the stem/base fans out into an octagon. Would anyone know what year this could be from?
Oh, and the Nylex plates shown in the article are still used in our household!
Hello Liz. Sounds like a fabulous lamp. I don’t think I have seen one with an octagonal base before. My best guess for most of their lamps would be 1940s, but it is possible that they made them earlier in the 1930s. Yours sound a bit ‘Art Deco’ so maybe it is that old. Cheers
Dear Cheryl;
Thanks for your very informative site.
It’s a great reference source.
However…
You constantly refer to the colored items as Bakelite as most uninformed people do. The following from Larry Lighter explains a few things. For more education, you could follow his Facebook site. Also The Bakelite Museum group.
Reference to early colored plastics.
Catalin plastic resin is the most important – most colorful and most collectible vintage plastic. Catalin was a much improved cast resin than Bakelite. Leo Baekeland had nothing to do with its invention or
Thank you for the information Russell. I will be sure to check out your references and update my article. I am aware that their are many trademarked plastics (synthetic polymers), including Catalin and Bakelite, but I am always learning. I don’t want to misinform anyone, as there is already enough of that on the internet.
This occurred not from Bakelite but from cast Phenolic resins.
“The first wave of popularity for Bakelite came in 1927 when it became available in a wide array of colours. (ref 9) Bakelite is a thermoset plastic that does not respond to heat or cold which is why you’ll still find vintage Bakelite phones, pens, bangles, and even combs that look nearly brand-new.”
Thank you Russell. It looks like some of your previous msg may have been truncated. I will be sure to look up Larry Lighter and the The Bakelite Museum group.