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Florida’s Best Newspaper for Antiques & Collectibles





















                                  JUNE 2017 • Volume 30 No. 10                   www.antiqueshoppefl.com

                                                   Bakelite Radios Things of Beauty




                                                  By Larry LeMasters
                                                  LeMasters’ Antique News Service

                                                                            The mystery of radio began around 1820 when Hans Christian Ørsted first
                                                                          made a connection between electricity and magnetism. The work of many
                                                                          inventors followed — people like André-Marie Ampère, Michael Faraday,
                                                                          Guglielmo Marconi, and Reginald A. Fessenden all added to the exploration
                                                                          of knowledge that became radio. But, arguably, the man who deserves the
        Above: Sentinel Art Deco Bakelite                                 most “thanks” for the invention of radio is Leo Baekeland, a Belgian-American
        radio, circa late 1940s; $490.                                    chemist, who, in 1907, invented Bakelite.
        Right: This red, white & blue,                                      Bakelite, also Baekelite, is an early plastic. Formed by a condensation reaction
        patriotic Bakelite radio from
        Emerson was offered on eBay for                                   of phenol and formaldehyde, Bakelite was one of, if not the first, plastic
        $3,750.                                                           made from synthetic components. Because plastic is considered electrically
                                                                                  nonconductive, Bakelite became the earliest plastic that radio cases
                                                                                  were made from. Baekeland advertised Bakelite as “The Material of A
                                                                                  Thousand Uses.”
                                                                                    While Bakelite may not have had 1,000 uses, it did possess some
                                                                                  important properties that made it perfect for radio casings. First, it
                                                                                  could be molded very quickly, making it perfect for the mass-production
                                                                                  of identical units. Bakelite moldings were smooth and retained their
                                                                                  shape well. They were also hard, so they proved resistant to scratches.
                                                                                    Bakelite’s ready availability and speed of molding helped reduce
                                                                                  radio production costs, allowing even the relatively poor to buy Bakelite
                                                                                  radios.
                                                                                                                                        Continued on Page 2

              Oviedo Antique Mall Summer Extravaganza June 2-5.                   In This Issue . . .
           During the 4 day extravaganza, all 110 dealer booths will be offering fabulous sale pricing -
         up to 50% off storewide. There will also be a complimentary hot & cold buffet is available all
         4 days. During the Friday thru Monday sale each customer purchasing $30 or more receives   Buster Brown & Mary Jane           Ritter
         a free gift.                                                                     ...pg. 32          Collecting                 Road
           Located at 95 Geneva Drive Oviedo, FL 32765 (407-366-3668), Oviedo Antique Mall is open          Children's                 Skates
         7 Days a week Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm & Sunday 12-6pm.                                             Clothing                 ...pg. 21
           The  12,500  square  foot  mall  is  loaded  with  an  ever-changing  array  of  all  your  favorite     ...pg. 22
         antiques and collectibles. Offered  are coins & paper money, gold, silver & costume jewelry,
         furniture,  primitives,  linens,  Lladro,  Baccarat,  China  &  Crystal,  Lenox,  military  collectibles,
         Fiestaware,  art  work,  advertising  collectibles,  antiquarian  books,  Kitchenalia,  LP  albums,
         Longaberger baskets, Disney collectibles, antique toys and so much more!
           Stroll through Oviedo Antique Mall while listening to 1950’s hit music.  Complimentary
         Snacks and drinks are always available for our customers. Onsite watch & clock repair by 40
         year  veteran  watchmaker,  as  well  as  complete  onsite  antique  and  modern  camera  repair    Collecting History
         service.                                                                                                      -June... pg. 14




             PUBLIC AUCTION                                                                                                    2154 U.S.
              EVERY WEDNESDAY                                                                                                  HWY. 301
                APPROX 1:00 P.M.                                                                                           Zephyrhills, FL
              Antiques, Collectibles                                                                                       1-800-765-1628
                 Furniture & More             Voted “Florida’s Best Auction”                                           www.actionauctioneers.com
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