The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-02-27
A UNTON. VIRGINIA. FEBRUARY 81. 1879.

the finest torteise-shell, and its elasticity
renders 1t much less liable to breakage. In
this form it is much used like the imitation
ivory for combs, card cases, cigar cases,
match boxes, pocketbooks, napkin rings,
iewelry, and all sorts Of fancy articles. The
substance is employed for similar purposes
as good imitation of malachite and also OF
amber. 1t is made into mouth pieces for
pipes, cigar.holders, and musical instru-
ments, and is used as the material OF flutes,
fageolets and drumsticks. For drumheads
it is said to be superior to parchment, as it
is not effected by moisture in the atmos-
phere.
AS a substitute for porcelain, celluloid is
used for the heads Of dolls, VIII ich can be
hammered against the hard floor without
danger OF fracture. Beautiful jewelry is
made of 1t in imitation of the most elabor-
ately-carved coral, reproducing all the shades
of the genuine article. Most of the coral
tints are bright or dark red, however, as the
makers, strange to say, have found that ex.
not in popular demand.
One of the large manufacturing companies
is employed exclusively in the making OF
optical goods, using celluloid in place Of
tortoise-shell, jet &C., for the frames of spec
tacles, eye glasses and opera glasses. The
material is extensively used for shoe tips,
protecting the toe as well as metal tips. and
having the appearance of patent leather
By shoemakers it is also used for insoles.-
Large quantities of thimbles are made OF it,
and it is said to be the best material known
for emery wheels and knife-sharpeners. As
ground for paintings, celluloid has all the
advantages Of ivory, and photographs can
be taken on it which are alleged to be supe.
rior to ivorytype.
Within the last year and half another
branch of celluloid manufacture has been
developed which promises to reach enormous
proportions. This is the use Of celluloid as
substitute for linen or paper in the making
of shirt cuffs, collars, &c. 1t has the appear
ance of well starched linen, is sufficiently
affected by Precipitation and can be worn
for months without injury. It becomes soil.
ed much less readily than linen, and when
dirty is quickly cleaned by the application OIL
little soap and water with sponge or rag.
For travellers and for wear In hot weather
this celluloid linen is especially convenient
1t has lately been much improved by the in.
PRODUCTION OF real linen between two thick
nesses Of celluloid. Shirt fronts have been
made of it, as we'll as cuffs and collars, and
it is believed that these will prove equally
desirable.
When asked if this branch OF the business
was not likely to cause serious injury to the
trace in paper collars, celluloid manufac-
turer replied ''No, not near so much al
YOU would think. Celluloid collars and cuff:
are cheaper in the long run than paper, they
last so much longer, but their first cost Ii
equal to that of linen. The collars are sole
at retail for twenty-five cents apiece, an6
the cuffs for fifty cents pair. When was
IN Boston some time ago, and happened tt
be in BARRIERS shop, and showed to the
barber celluleid comb, which he examined
and praised very highly. He inquired the
price of such combs, and when informed
that it was forty cents, exclaimed, ''Why
we can buy rubber combs for fifteen cent
apiece" "But," said I, "this comb, as yol
can see, is elastic, the teeth will no
break, and it will outwear a dozen cheal
combs made of rubber" sThat make
no difference said the man, 81 tell you,
barber has fifteen cents to buy comb will
long sight oftener than he has forty. y
Now, that's the way it will work with these
collars and cuffs. There are great many
men who have the money to pay for pape
collars great deal oftener than they hav'
it to pay for celluloid. Still, this celluloit
linen business is going to be immense. L
has only Just fairly begun. From six thons
and to twelve thousand dozen collars ant
cuffs are made weekly already, and order
are coming in from all over the country.
Celluloid has been experimental with a
a material for neckties, and, although tn
trials have not yet been very satisfactory, ]
is thought that they will eventually be sue
cessful. For hat-bands and hat sweat-band
it is trife more expensive than the materl
ais COMMONLY used, but it is said to be bettel
as it does not become rusty or greasy. l
has also been used lately for Weaknesses.
There is large export trade in celluloi'
articles to Cuba and South America, and TIL
is constantly increasing. They are not sen
to Europe, as the right to manufacture ah'
| sell them there has been sold to foreig
company, which has factory in France.