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December, 2017 The Antique Shoppe Page 3
If you are inexperienced with celluloid, a Many celluloid Santa Clauses have accumulated a film of dirt and dust over
simple test will tell you if the item is genuine the years, which adversely affects their appearance. Since celluloid is plastic,
celluloid. Run hot tap water over the celluloid you can wash surface dirt away using warm water and soap and a soft bristled
decoration. Temperatures above 110 degrees toothbrush, just don’t scrub too hard. Also, do not soak celluloid Santas in water
cause the camphor molecules in celluloid to since water can react with celluloid’s ingredients.
move, giving off a distinctive mentholated odor. Pure mineral oil will soften sticky price tag residue, stubborn dirt, or other
Collectors should take care to study the goop found on celluloid Santas. Simply use a cotton swab or Q-tip to apply the
history and properties of celluloid since it can oil and rub briskly.
be unstable and deteriorate rapidly. Without Many American companies manufactured celluloid Santa Clauses during the
getting too technical, celluloid is considered a early part of the 20th century. One company whose Santa Clauses are worth
semi-synthetic since some of its materials— looking for is the Irwin Corporation of Massachusetts (later New Hampshire).
cotton and camphor—are organic materials. Founded in 1922 by 21-year-old Irwin Cohn, the company continued business
However, its synthetic materials are the basis for until 1973. One interesting Irwin Santa to hunt for is “Santa and Sleigh”
all plastics and they include sulfuric and nitric (about $125). Some of Irwin’s celluloid Santa Clauses were sprayed with
acids. Celluloid is considered a semi-synthetic mica flakes to make them glitter.
pyroxylin thermoplastic polymer. Wow! Now Viscoloid, another American company (roughly 1900-1930), also
that’s a mouthful. “Pyroxlin” is the key word to manufactured celluloid Santa Clauses. By 1918,
celluloid’s flammable nature. Most of you will recognize the root Viscoloid employed over 350 workers in its celluloid
wood “pyro” as in “pyromaniac.” If you remember nothing toys division, making it the largest manufacturer
else from this article, always remember to keep your celluloid of celluloid toys and Christmas decorations
Santa Clauses away from candles and other intense heat in America. In the early part of the 1930s,
sources. Viscoloid closed, selling its old molds to Irwin
With the above warning fresh in your mind, let me add that Corporation, so it is possible to collect nearly
celluloid is a thermoplastic, which means if it is made pliable identical Santas that were made years apart by
by the application of heat. So it is possible to remove dents the two different companies.
in celluloid Santa Clauses by softening the plastic using a hair Whatever your family’s Christmas tastes, a
dryer and exerting an outward pressure on the dent. You may collection of celluloid Santa Clauses is sure to
need to make a tiny hole in the back of Santa to accomplish this; please everyone since they are colorful, nostalgic,
however, use any existing blowholes if available. A dental tool and, above all, Christmassy. Ho! Ho! Ho!
inserted into the decoration makes an excellent pressure applicator. SHOWN: TOP: Santa Roly-Poly; Viscoloid;
If you are collecting celluloid Santas for future sale, you may want to think $225. CENTER: Occupied Japan celluloid
twice before creating an opening to repair a dent since the opening you create Santa with wind-up bell; $100. RIGHT:
may devalue the decoration more than the dent. Standing Santa; Viscoloid; $125.

Association Visit Historic Downtown
ARCADIA
Members Voted
“Best Antiquing
Bizarre Bazaar .......................863-456-5608 Town in Florida”
Miss Pearl’s Place .................863-494-0232 “Come Spend the Day With US” By Florida Monthly
Magazine
Corey’s Antiques...................863-494-5959 20 ANTIQUE SHOPS IN 3 BLOCKS
Timeless Treasures...............941-993-9393
Maddy’s Antiques .................863-494-2500 2
Yellow Brick Road .................863-993-3000 ORANGE AVE MONROE ST OAK STREET POLK AVE DESOTO AVE
1
Manny’s Odds & Ends ............239-384-1705

New Proprietors Dale & Sharon,
MADDY'S ANTIQUES Antique Association Long-time dealers at The Galleria Mall,
Punta Gorda invite you to
121 W. Oak St. of Arcadia their newly opened shop. . .
863-494-2500 www.ArcadiaFLAntiques.com YELLOW BRICK ROAD

Join us for CHRISTMAS SATURDAY Antiques & Collectibles
“MADDY’S GATHERINGS” ANTIQUE FAIR BARGAIN DAYS
NEW YEAR’S DAY • 10-2 DEC 30 December 9 112 W. Oak Street
4th Saturday Shows Arcadia, FL 34266
Resume in Jan. 863-993-3000
Booth Info
Thur. & Fri. 12-4, Sat. 10-4 or by appt. 863-993-5105
View our store at: ALWAYS BUYING
maddysantiques.net 1 One Piece or Entire Estate 2