What is Catalin and Bakelite? Both are a type of plastic. Catalin is a form of Bakelite, the first synthetic plastic. Some say "the first thermosetting plastic." Catalin, in general, has soft marbelized colors. Bakelite is usually dark brown or black. Bakelite was developed about 1906 by a Dr. Baekeland in Yonkers NY. It was a moldable substance set permanently by heat. It was strong , would not dissolve, was acid proof and a poor conductor of electricity, was resistant to flame and high temperature. It was called “the material of a thousand uses.” During the Depression a new form of Bakelite was not molded (requires great heat and pressure), but cast (poured into molds and baked). Much of it was made into Art Deco consumer goods (including poker chips and racks) and decorative accessories (especially jewelry) from the 1920’s to 50’s..............Here are some tests for bakelite/catalin, none very perfect for my tastes. First, to test for clay, I usually I break one of the clay chips or look for a broken or cracked one, or use a knife to shave off an edge -- the insides should look granular (like a pottery plate). Plastic looks slick, non-granular............Some people rub the chip with their fingers (or use hot water) to get that formaldehyde smell, a sign of catalin/bakelite........... one lady used a white cloth or paper with Dow scrubbing bubbles to wipe on the chips to get a yellow color on cloth (if no color: not bakelite)....... some stick the items with a hot pin: it will easily sink into item if not bakelite/catalin. It can’t do this (at least not easily) to bakelite/catalin.

I can’t think of many casino chips made of Bakelite. I know of some Cuban chips made of the substance; that is all. Lots of poker chips and racks, though. Compared to the cheaper plastics, catalin poker chips are unbreakable, thick as a modern casino chip, usually plain (no design or interlocking ridges) and often marbelized (you see swirls). Some catalin chips are hot-stamped.