Catalin - Butterscotch questions please.

[rodeo]

So yesterday I learned that Butterscotch Brushes are quite more then just a "color" and are Vintage "Catalin" brush handles that started out life (in the brush world) as WHITE Handles that turned different shades of Butterscotch over time due to exposure to UV (Sunlight), correct so far? But in reading about Catalin (and the variety of tests to prove if it is or not) I saw that there are other original colors of Catalin, such as this statement found on ebay help:

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"Catalin is usually very colorful. Over time Catalin develops a patina, there is NO white Catalin (unless it has been restored, reworked, or has never seen sunlight). Sunlight causes the Catalin to yellow or "petina". All of the original white Catalin has yellowed over time, and clear to "apple juice", blue to green or teal, purple to brown or tan, while green, orange and red stay about the same. White marbling in marbled pieces will be yellowed. Catalin also shrinks over time, that is why most of the radios have cracks, warping, and the fiberboard on the back no longer fits."
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I guess it's fair to believe that most Vintage brush handles made of Catalin started out White and are common today as Butterscotch? My question though is are there other vintage catalin Brushes out there in the other colors as listed too? Can you find a Blue, Purple or Red catalin handle that has changed over time to Green, Teal or Brown?

I'm quite intrigued by this and now I must find myself an example of true "Butterscotch" to have as part of a novice collection. I also see quite a few Vintage Brushes listed (on ebay) as made of Bakelite too. Obviously, that's different then catalin though.

Are there any books out about collecting Shave Brushes? Where is the best place to go learn about all the different vintage manufacturers and especially, handle styles? Also, where is the best place to find prices for these vintage brushes?

Thanks for any and all help!

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P.S. I WTB a "Genuine Butterscotch" if anyone is planning to sell one.

 

[rodeo]

Bump.

Anybody??

Cmon, I'm sure those of you who collect Butterscotch know the answers to these questions..

 

[Legion]

OK.

Catalin was indeed made in many colours. Catalin is actually a clear resin but a pigment made from coal tar could added to make it pretty much any colour you wanted. Some were very bright and vibrant.

The butterscotch brushes started life as a sort of cream, ivory substitute. Over the years UV radiation converted the outside, exposed layer to phenyl alcohol. The good news is, as phenyl alcohol is a UV blocker, it acts as a sunscreen and prevents the UV from penetrating very deeply.

All colours of catalin are susceptible to the "Butterscotch effect" but it is most noticeable on the white base. On the other colours the yellow will mix with whatever pigment is present and give different visible effects. Bright blue goes dark green, etc.

Catalin is also prone to shrinkage, which is why you sometimes see butterscotch brushes with cracks.

Coloured catalin is very common but is usually confused with Bakelite, which is also a phenol-formaldehyde cast plastic. My guess is most of the brushes listed as Bakelite that are not black or brown are catalin. Of course people have only bothered to restore shaving brushes from this era recently, so instances of people sanding coloured brushes and revealing hidden brighter colours underneath are not as common as they will probably become, now that forums like this exist.

I guess what I'm saying is, lots of the vintage brushes you see on this forum could be catalin. It came in greens, reds, blues... we just call all phenol-formaldehyde cast plastics Bakelite because it is easier, but there were several different sorts. Butterscotch brushes get singled out as catalin only because they are easy to spot.

 

[rodeo]

Great response, thank you very much. It's very interesting and as a history buff (and antique buff too) I appreciate the history behind such items and materials. Now I feel the need and desire to acquire a few of these vintage brushes to collect or possibly to re-knot and use. (mainly to collect and display though.)

Anyone know of a source to see and learn about all the different mfgrs and handle designs for each? & price guide?