Collection

Objects made from Parkesine, 1855-1891.

Made:
1855-1891 in England
inventor:
Alexander Parkes

Collection of original specimens of Parkesine, invented and made by Alexander Parkes,between 1855 and 1881, England

Collection of original specimens of Parkesine, invented and made by Alexander Parkes, between 1855 and 1981, England

Details

Category:
Plastics and Modern Materials
Object Number:
1937-30
Materials:
Parkesine (xylotile) and cellulose nitrate
type:
parkesine specimens
credit:
Mr. A. Parkes.

Parts

Unfinished comb of imitation ivory

Unfinished comb of imitation ivory

Unfinished comb of imitation ivory Parkesine, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Measurements:
overall: 188 mm x 31 mm x 6 mm,
Materials:
complete , Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/2
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Pen nib, made from orange Parkesine, by Alexander Parkes

Pen nib, made from orange Parkesine, by Alexander Parkes

Pen nib, now broken into many pieces, made of orange Parkesine by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/6
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Circular handle of green marbled Parkesine made by Alexander Parkes

Circular handle of green marbled Parkesine made by Alexander Parkes

Circular handle of green marbled Parkesine made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/8 Pt1
type:
parkesine specimens
Part of:
1937-30/8
Toothed gear wheel, made from black Parkesine

Toothed gear wheel, made from black Parkesine

Toothed gear wheel of black Parkesine, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/9
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Rectangular piece of flat variegated green Parkesine

Rectangular piece of flat variegated green Parkesine

Rectangular piece of flat variegated green Parkesine, c. 1860, made by Alexander Parkes, England

Measurements:
overall: 128 mm x 112 mm x 2 mm,
Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/12
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Letter press mould of ivory coloured Parkesine

Letter press mould of ivory coloured Parkesine

Letter press mould of ivory coloured Parkesine, rectangular to print 'The Morning Dream' number 188. Made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, English

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/17
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Blue Parkesine plaque with carved designs

Blue Parkesine plaque with carved designs

Flat, blue square plaque, saw pierced and carved with a tendril design with circle in middle, made of Parkesine by Alexander Parkes, c. 1855, English

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/18
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Rectangular piece of flat cream coloured Parkesine

Rectangular piece of flat cream coloured Parkesine

Rectangular piece of flat cream coloured Parkesine, dated Nov 12, 1881, made by Alexander Parkes, England

Measurements:
overall: 117 mm x 103 mm x 4 mm,
Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/20
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Damaged sample of transparent orange parkesine

Damaged sample of transparent orange parkesine

Transparent orange film, originally circular? Made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/23
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Fragments of red-yellow marbled Parkesine block

Fragments of red-yellow marbled Parkesine block

Fragments of red-yellow marbled Parkesine block, with artificial cracks. Now broken into many pieces. Made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/24
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
White curtain ring of imitation ivory Parkesine

White curtain ring of imitation ivory Parkesine

White curtain ring of imitation ivory Parkesine, ring is circular in cross-section, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, English

Materials:
Parkesine (xylotile) and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/28
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
White rod of Parkesine, circular in cross-section

White rod of Parkesine, circular in cross-section

White rod of Parkesine circular in cross-section, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Measurements:
overall: 502 mm 13 mm,
Materials:
Parkesine (xylotile) and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/29
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Paper knife of red (ochre) Parkesine

Paper knife of red (ochre) Parkesine

Paper knife of red (ochre) Parkesine, flat handle, blade oval in cross-section, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Materials:
Parkesine (xylotile) and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/30
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Decorated, inlaid square plaque of Parkesine

Decorated, inlaid square plaque of Parkesine

Decorated, inlaid square plaque of Parkesine, inlaid with wreathed design, consists of 2 sheets of brown and ochre Parkesine, riveted together, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Materials:
Parkesine (xylotile) and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/40
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Moulded rectangular plaque of brown Parkesin

Moulded rectangular plaque of brown Parkesin

Flat, moulded rectangular plaque of brown Parkesine, decorated with cross in centre and corners filled with leaf design, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860s, England

Materials:
Parkesine (xylotile) and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/42
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of knife handle, green marbled Parkesine

Part of knife handle, green marbled Parkesine

Knife handle, part only, of green marbled Parkesine, with iron core, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Materials:
Parkesine (xylotile) and iron
Object Number:
1937-30/44
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

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