Objects made from Parkesine, 1855-1891.

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
Parkesine billiard ball

Parkesine billiard ball

Parkesine billiard ball, salmon pink, made by Alexander Parkes, England, c. 1860

Measurements:
overall: 52 mm,
Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/7 Pt1
type:
billiard ball
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/7
Parkesine billiard ball, yellow cream with brown patches

Parkesine billiard ball, yellow cream with brown patches

Parkesine billiard ball, yellow cream in colour with brown patches, c. 1860, made by Alexander Parkes, England

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/7 Pt2
type:
ball
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/7
Parkesine, salmon pink billiard ball, 1860

Parkesine, salmon pink billiard ball, 1860

Salmon pink billiard ball of Parkesine, c. 1860, made by Alexander Parkes, England

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/7 Pt3
type:
ball
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/7
Parkesine, Ivory colour billiard ball, 1860

Parkesine, Ivory colour billiard ball, 1860

Ivory billiard ball of Parkesine, c. 1860, made by Alexander Parkes, England

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/7 Pt4
type:
billiard ball
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/7
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
Two spherical buttons of green Parkesine

Two spherical buttons of green Parkesine

Two spherical buttons of green Parkesine, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England. Spherical button of green Parkesine, with metal core and attachment, c. 1860, England Spherical button of variegated green and white Parkesine, with metal core and loop for attachment, c. 1860, England

Materials:
Parkesine , metal and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/10 Pt1
type:
parkesine specimens
Part of:
1937-30/10
Two spherical buttons of green Parkesine

Two spherical buttons of green Parkesine

Two spherical buttons of green Parkesine, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England.

Spherical button of green Parkesine, with metal core and attachment, c. 1860, England Spherical button of variegated green and white Parkesine, with metal core and loop for attachment, c. 1860, England

Materials:
Parkesine , metal and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/10 Pt1/1
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/10 Pt1
Button of black and white mottled Parkesine

Button of black and white mottled Parkesine

Button of black and white mottled Parkesine, 2 holes for attachment, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, English

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/10 Pt2
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/10
Parkesine; section of prussian blue fluted tubing

Parkesine; section of prussian blue fluted tubing

Section of prussian blue fluted tubing, handle? grooved at either end; narrows down length, made of Parkesine by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, English

Measurements:
overall: 199 mm x 14 mm x 16 mm,
Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/11 Pt1
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/11
Black Parkesine tubing with wooden core

Black Parkesine tubing with wooden core

Section of black Parkesine tubing with wooden core, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Measurements:
overall: 191 mm x 17 mm x 11 mm,
Materials:
Parkesine , wood and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/11 Pt2
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/11
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
Decorative hand carved Parkesine

Decorative hand carved Parkesine

Hand carved Parkesine (3, blue panel, cream colour circular carving, small red basket of flowers)

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/14
type:
parkesine specimens
Hand carved medallion of brown Parkesine

Hand carved medallion of brown Parkesine

Hand carved medallion of brown Parkesine, decorated with handled basket of flowers made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/14 Pt1
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/14
Hand carved plaque of black Parkesine

Hand carved plaque of black Parkesine

Hand carved plaque of black Parkesine, showing five cherubs at play. Made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, English

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/14 Pt2
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/14
Hand carved plaque, ivory coloured Parkesine

Hand carved plaque, ivory coloured Parkesine

Hand carved circular plaque of ivory Parkesine, decorated with three cherubs and a billy goat, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/14 Pt3
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/14
Moulded examples of Parkesine (2 seals, 2 heads)

Moulded examples of Parkesine (2 seals, 2 heads)

Moulded examples of Parkesine (2 seals, 2 heads)

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/15
type:
parkesine
Female head in red Parkesine

Female head in red Parkesine

Female head of red Parkesine, showing right profile, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Measurements:
overall: 31 mm x 25 mm x 5 mm,
Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/15 Pt2
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/15
Female head in bottle green Parkesine

Female head in bottle green Parkesine

Female head of bottle green Parkesine, showing left profile, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/15 Pt3
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/15
Circular moulded plaque of green Parkesine

Circular moulded plaque of green Parkesine

Circular moulded plaque of green Parkesine, showing eight gods and goddesses, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/16
type:
parkesine specimens
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
Two hair slides made from Parkesine

Two hair slides made from Parkesine

Crescentic hair slide of ochre-coloured Parkesine, in laid with elaborate design in brass silver and mother of pearl, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, English

P199

More

Two crescentic hair slides of ochre-coloured Parkesine, inlaid with elaborate designs in brass, silver and mother of pearl, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, English

Crescentic hair slide of ochre-coloured Parkesine

Crescentic hair slide of ochre-coloured Parkesine

Crescentic hair slide of ochre-coloured Parkesine

Materials:
Parkesine (xylotile)
Object Number:
1937-30/19 Pt1/1
type:
hair slide
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/19 Pt1
Crescentic hair slide of ochre-coloured Parkesine

Crescentic hair slide of ochre-coloured Parkesine

Crescentic hair slide of ochre-coloured Parkesine

Materials:
parkesine
Object Number:
1937-30/19 Pt1/2
type:
hair slide
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/19 Pt1
Ochre coloured Parkesine oval hair slide

Ochre coloured Parkesine oval hair slide

Pointed oval hair slide of ochre-coloured Parkesine, inlaid with silver border, and raised silver shield in centre surmounted by crown, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, English

Materials:
Parkesine , silver , brass , cellulose nitrate and incomplete
Object Number:
1937-30/19 Pt2
type:
hair slide
Part of:
1937-30/19
Pointed oval hair slide of ochre-coloured Parkesine, shield in centre

Pointed oval hair slide of ochre-coloured Parkesine, shield in centre

Pointed oval hair slide of ochre-coloured Parkesine, shield in centre

Materials:
Parkesine (xylotile)
Object Number:
1937-30/19 Pt2/1
type:
hair slide
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/19 Pt2
Parkesine brooch with intricate inlaid crosses design

Parkesine brooch with intricate inlaid crosses design

Parkesine brooch with intricate inlaid crosses design

Object Number:
1937-30/19 Pt2/2
type:
brooch
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/19 Pt2
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
Parkesine sheet from which discs have been stamped out

Parkesine sheet from which discs have been stamped out

Parkesine sheet from which discs have been stamped out, c. 1860

Measurements:
overall: 46 mm x 36 mm x 2 mm,
Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/21 Pt2
type:
parkesine specimens
Part of:
1937-30/21
Brown Parkesine sheet from which discs have been stamped out

Brown Parkesine sheet from which discs have been stamped out

Parkesine brown sheet from which discs have been stamped out, c. 1860

Measurements:
overall: 18 mm x 23 mm x 2 mm,
Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/21 Pt3
type:
parkesine specimens
Part of:
1937-30/21
Three small pieces of Parkesine sheet

Three small pieces of Parkesine sheet

Small pieces of Parkesine sheet (3, blue strip, variegated piece, brown inscribed A. Parkes 1861)

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/22
type:
parkesine specimens
Piece of variegated green Parkesine sheet

Piece of variegated green Parkesine sheet

Roughly square, flat piece of variegated green parkesine sheet made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Measurements:
overall: 83 mm x 72 mm x 3 mm,
Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/22 Pt1
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/22
Specimen variegated sheet, example of  first experiments in colour, 1851

Specimen variegated sheet, example of first experiments in colour, 1851

Specimen variegated sheet, example of the first experiments in colour of Alexander Parkes with Parkesine, 1851, England

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/22 Pt2
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/22
Flat strip of petrol blue Parkesine

Flat strip of petrol blue Parkesine

Flat strip of petrol blue Parkesine, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1865 England

Measurements:
overall: 152 mm x 22 mm x 2 mm,
Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/22 Pt3
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/22
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
Collection of four Parkesine buttons, brown, different sizes

Collection of four Parkesine buttons, brown, different sizes

Collection of four Parkesine buttons, brown, different sizes, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/26
type:
parkesine specimens
Parkesine button, flat, dark brown, circular

Parkesine button, flat, dark brown, circular

Flat Parkesine dark brown circular button, double piercing centrally, moulded, upper surface striated, border, c. 1860

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/26 Pt1
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/26
Parkesine button, dark brown, moulded, concavo-convex

Parkesine button, dark brown, moulded, concavo-convex

Brown circular button of Parkesine, central double piercing, moulded, concavo-convex in cross-section, border, c. 1860

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/26 Pt2
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/26
Parkesine button, dark brown, moulded, concavo-convex

Parkesine button, dark brown, moulded, concavo-convex

Moulded brown circular button, central double piercing, concavo-convex in cross-section, c. 1860

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/26 Pt3
type:
button
Part of:
1937-30/26
Parkesine button, dark brown, moulded, concavo-convex

Parkesine button, dark brown, moulded, concavo-convex

Small moulded brown circular button, central double piercing concavo-convex in cross-section, c. 1860, border

Materials:
Parkesine and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/26 Pt4
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/26
Flat, circular seal of brown Parkesine

Flat, circular seal of brown Parkesine

Flat, circular seal of brown Parkesine, elaborately carved with ecclesiastical motif of Madonna and child with two female attendants, inscribed, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1861, English

Measurements:
overall: 2 mm, 54 mm,
Materials:
seal, parkesine , cellulose nitrate and backing, cotton
Object Number:
1937-30/27 Pt1
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/27
Flat, circular seal of dark brown Parkesine

Flat, circular seal of dark brown Parkesine

Flat, circular seal of dark brown Parkesine, elaborately carved with ecclesiatical motif of Madonna and child within a shield border inscribed, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1861, English

Measurements:
overall: 2 mm, 53 mm,
Materials:
seal, Parkesine (xylotile) , cellulose nitrate , backing, waxed and cotton
Object Number:
1937-30/27 Pt2
type:
seal
Part of:
1937-30/27
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
Two Parkesine broochs; one blue, the other with green, blue and red concentric circles

Two Parkesine broochs; one blue, the other with green, blue and red concentric circles

Two Parkesine broochs; one blue, the other with green, blue and red concentric circles

Object Number:
1937-30/31
type:
parkesine specimens
Circular brooch of blue Parkesine

Circular brooch of blue Parkesine

Circular brooch of blue Parkesine, with bar crossing centre and split by variegated red and green bead, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Materials:
Parkesine (xylotile) , brass and incomplete
Object Number:
1937-30/31 Pt1
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/31
Parkesine brooch, with green, blue and red concentric circles

Parkesine brooch, with green, blue and red concentric circles

Circular brooch of Parkesine, decorated with green, blue and red concentric circles, individually raised; blue le nob in centre, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Materials:
Parkesine (xylotile) , brass and incomplete
Object Number:
1937-30/31 Pt2
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/31
Head of Jesus, carved on imitation amber Parkesine

Head of Jesus, carved on imitation amber Parkesine

Tiny carved head on plinth of Jesus, made of imitation amber Parkesine, made by Alexander Parkes, c. 1860, England

Measurements:
overall: 27 mm x 10 mm x 10 mm,
Materials:
Parkesine (xylotile) and cellulose nitrate
Object Number:
1937-30/37 Pt1
type:
parkesine specimens
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Part of:
1937-30/37
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