Advertising notepad

1902

Celluloid

Overall: 4 3/4 x 2 1/2 in. (12 x 6.3 cm)

Gift of Dadie and Norman Perlov and Daughters

2012.16.2

Celluloid, the first entirely synthetic plastic, was invented by John Wesley Hyatt (1837-1920) of Albany in 1869. It is created from nitrocellulose and camphor along with dyes and other agents. Hyatt first developed the material as a less expensive alternative to ivory in the production of billiard balls. Hyatt's invention was patented in 1869 and subsequently used for a wide range of objects, both in imitation of expensive animal products like ivory, horn, and tortoiseshell, and also as an inexpensive medium for objects such as dresser sets, jewelry, picture frames, and advertising giveaways. Celluloid, which is both flammable and fragile, was gradually supplanted by the stronger Bakelite in the 1920s. Celluloid continues to be used today for making Ping Pong balls and guitar picks.

InscribedFront text: ESTABLISHED 1890. / The / John Mulholland / ~6%~ / Gold Bonds. / General Offices: / 38 Park Rove, New York. / CORRESPONDENCE SOLICITED

ClassificationsADVERTISING & BUSINESS EPHEMERA

DescriptionAdvertising notepad with celluloid front and back covers for John Mulholland bonds. Cover text reads: Gold Bonds. / General Offices: / 38 Park Rove, New York. / CORRESPONDENCE SOLICITED

Notepad includes several pages with useful information: Antidotes for Poisons. / Calendars 1902, 1903, 1904. / Fasted Railroad Time; Fastest Time Around the World. / Foreign Coins, with their Value in United States Money. / Foreign Weights and Measures and their American Equivalents. / Help in Case of Accidents. / Interest Tables from 6 to 20 per cent. / Measures of Length, Square Measure, Cubic Measure, Metric Equivalents, / Official Population of the United States. / Official Population of Cities in the United States over 25,000 inhabitants. / One Hundred Largest Cities of the World. / Rates of Postage, Money Orders, Registration, and Foreign Postage. / Standard Time of the World. / War Revenue Tax, now in effect.

Object NameAdvertising notepad