Bakelite is a plastic, invented by Leo Baekeland in 1907 and popular in the early 1900's, since it was one of the first of its kind, cheap and easily available. It wasn't actually a very popular material for Mahjong sets in the first craze of 1920's but became more popular later.
Bakelite isn't the only plastic used for Mahjong sets. Catalin is another popular material, developed from bakelite. The two are pretty much the same, the major difference being that bakelite was made by a US company while Catalin was from UK. Both trade names actually cover few related plastics, made from slightly different chemicals.
What makes bakelite Mahjong sets so popular these days amongst the collectors? Colour is definitely one part of it. The bakelite sets have this beautiful warm butterscotch colour, which looks both nice and old.
French Ivory is another old material. It's celluloid, which is one of the very first plastics, invented by John Hyatt in the 1860's. It's called French Ivory because it has a grain that looks kind of like ivory. Celluloid was expensive, so it's unlikely that many Mahjong sets were made of celluloid.
The tricky thing about these plastics is that most people who deal with these sets cannot really tell them apart. So, if someone claims a set they are selling is this or that plastic, the only thing you can be sure of is that it's plastic. Of course, for most buyers it doesn't really matter.
See more information about Mahjong plastics in The Sloperama Mah-Jongg Zone. Identifying Plastics from CoolOldGames is another excellent resource on identifying plastics used in games.
If you want to make sure you don't miss any deals on interesting bakelite Mahjong items, make sure you subscribe to the Bakelite Mahjong RSS feed.
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 Vintage Bakelite Mah Jong Set  US $299.00
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 Bakelite Mah Jong Case Handle MINT Vintage 1940's Cranberry Red US $17.99
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 1920's Mustard Yellow Bakelite MAH JONG Set 144 Pcs 100 Bakelite Counters US $214.49
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 Vintage Bakelite Mah Jong with Original Case, Tiles and Racks US $51.00
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 8 Rottgames Catalin or Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Tiles ~Joker~ Tiles US $21.99
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 Member of National Mah Jong League Bakelite Tile US $34.99
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 5 Vintage Apple Green Bakelite or Lucite Mah Jong Jongg Tile Racks US $42.99
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 Vntg Royal Depth Control 164 Tiles Butterscotch Bakelite Mah Jongg 5 Racks Case US $79.99
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 1968 VINTAGE MAH JONG SET TRI COLOR PINK TILES CAITLIN BAKELITE TRAYS US $45.00
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 Vintage Mahjong Set in Case Bakelite Tiles and Racks Mah Jongg US $75.00
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 OLD BAKELITE MAH JONG GAME SET WITH 144 TILE,4 TRAYS & CASE US $124.99
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 VINTAGE MAH JONG SET BAKELITE CATALIN TILES CATALIN HOLDERS IN CASE US $49.00
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 Vintage Butterscotch Bakelite Mah-Jong Game Set Chinese China Antique US $38.00
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 VTG Bakelite/Catalin Mah Jong Jongg Set - 152 Tiles - NR US $79.99
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 VTG BAKELITE MAH JONG JONGG SET - TRUMPET CASE - 152 TILES US $20.50
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 Vintage Mah Jong Mah Jongg Mah Cuang Set Catalin & Bakelite by ROTTGAMES NYC US $51.00
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 VINTAGE MAH JONG BAKELITE GAME SET US $51.00
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 Vintage BAKELITE Mah Jong Game ~ 152pcs BUTTERSCOTCH BAKELITE tiles ~ Catalin US $55.00
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 Vintage 164 Tile Mah-Jongg Game Set Bakelite or Catalin, Case & 4 Tile Racks US $23.50
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 Vintage 154 Tile Mah-Jongg Game Set Bakelite or Catalin, Case & 5 Tile Racks US $20.50
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 Vtg MAH JONG JONGG SET 152 BAKELITE CATALIN CARVED TILES 5 TRAYS JOKER DRAGON US $34.33
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 84 VINTAGE BUTTERSCOTCH BAKELITE MAH JONG TILES wow! US $85.99
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 Vintage Bakelite Mah Jong Set in Green Case with Bettor, 5 Racks, etc US $62.00
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 Vtg Bakelite Mah Jong Set Rack Burgundy FREE Dice US $25.99
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 Vtg Bakelite Mah Jong Set Rack Burgundy FREE Dice US $25.99
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 Vtg 5 Mah Jong Set Racks Royal Swirl Bakelite Catalin &FREE Dice, Book,Coin US $137.99
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 Vtg Bakelite Mah Jong Set Rack Apple Green& FREE Dice 18 inch US $17.99
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 3 VINTAGE BAKELITE MAH JONGG RACKS US $29.99
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 Rare Vintage Butterscotch BAKELITE MAH JONGG SET 152 Tiles w Case/Racks/Dice US $149.99
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 9 Vintage Bakelite ~ Catalin Mah Jong Racks ~As Is~ US $94.99
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 Vintage Bakelite Mah Jong Game Royal Set 166 Tiles Original Carry Case US $195.00
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 Vintage Bakelite Mah-Jongg Set 154 Tiles 6 Racks/Coins US $345.00
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 1925 Mahjong Game 148 Bakelite Tiles 5 Catalin Trays US $225.00 |
 Vintage Full Round Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Case Handle US $18.99
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 8 MET Games Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Tiles ~Joker~ Tiles US $21.99
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 Vintage "Pass-The-Buck" Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Bettor US $44.99
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 Emerald Bakelite Mah Jong Coins US $28.95
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 #8 Vintage Mah Jong Tiles Bakelite Butterscotch lot of 34 Arts Crafts Jewelry US $18.74
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 MJ02 - Vintage Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 36 Tiles Set - Group B US $210.00
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 MJ03 - Vintage Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 36 Tiles Set - Group C US $210.00
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 BAKELITE Mah Jong & BAKELITE Dice Custom NECKLACE US $24.50
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 8 Rottgames Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Tiles ~Joker~ Tiles US $21.99
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 4 Ivorycraft Catalin or Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Tile ~White Dragons US $19.99
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 Vintage Caramel~Chocolate Bakelite Catalin Mah Jong Jongg Bettor US $44.99
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 Vintage Mah-Jong JONGG Bakelite/Catalin Game Set W/Box US $189.99
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 4 Chinese Bakelite~Green plastic Wafer Backed Mah Jong Jongg Dragons~White US $28.99
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 Rare vintage Chinese Mahjong game set in orig. box! Bakelite bone tiles! 1923 US $119.00
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 VINTAGE BAKELITE MAH JONG SET COMPLETE 167 TILES IN ALLIGATOR CARRYING CASE US $790.00
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 Vintage 1955-56 BAKELITE Mah Jongg Jong Game Royal US $199.95
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 VINTAGE MAH JONG BAKELITE BETTOR YELLOW SWIRL US $18.99
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 ANTIQUE MAH JONG GAME SET W/BAKELITE TILES & ALLIGATOR CASE US $300.00
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 #7 Vintage Mah Jong Tiles Bakelite Butterscotch lot of 34 US $18.74
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 Vintage Mah Jong Set In Case Bakelite / Catalin Tiles Racks Jongg Mahjong Royal US $450.00 |
 12 Chinese Bakelite Orphan Mahjong Tiles for Crafts, Mah Jongg US $22.50
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 8 Vtg RDC Catalin - Bakelite Mahjong Mah Jongg Tiles for Crafts or Replacements US $38.00
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 Eight Vtg Catalin - Bakelite Mahjong Mah Jongg Tiles for Crafts or Replacements US $30.00
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 The Ultimate Enrobed Bakelite Mah Jong Set- "Royal" 168 Tiles + Accessories US $2,695.00
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 Eight Vtg Catalin - Bakelite Mahjong Mah Jongg Tiles for Crafts or Replacements US $30.00
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 Eight Vtg Catalin - Bakelite Mahjong Mah Jongg Tiles for Crafts or Replacements US $30.00
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 Eight Vtg Catalin - Bakelite Mahjong Mah Jongg Tiles for Crafts or Replacements US $30.00
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 Eight Vtg Catalin - Bakelite Mahjong Mah Jongg Tiles for Crafts or Replacements US $30.00
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 Eight Vtg Catalin - Bakelite Mahjong Mah Jongg Tiles for Crafts or Replacements US $30.00
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 Eight Vintage Chinese Bakelite Mahjong Mah Jongg Tiles for Jokers or Replacement US $48.00
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 4 Vintage Mah Jong Jongg Bakelite White Dragon Tiles US $25.00
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 5 DIFFERENT COLORED BAKELITE MAH JONG RACKS US $85.00
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 Mah Jongg tiles and rack bakelite business card holder US $26.99
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 Mah Jong set with Bakelite tiles and trays Alligator case US $279.00
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 MJ14 Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 4 Tiles Set Crack No. #3 US $35.00
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 Beautiful Mah Jong Set in Leather Box*Bakelite 144 Tiles US $129.00
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 Vintage Bakelite Mah Jong Set - Nicely labelled - FREE SHIPPING US $82.50
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 Vintage Bakelite Mah Jongg Set Mahjong Chinese Game US $299.99
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 CARAMEL BAKELITE MAH JONG SET 1940-1950 VERY UNUSUAL CASE US $275.00
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 MJ18 Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 4 Tiles Set Crack No. #9 US $28.00
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 MJ17 Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 4 Tiles Set Crack No. #7 US $28.00
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 VINTAGE BAKELITE MAH JONG 144 TILE LEATHER CASE BETTOR US $199.99
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 Antique Bakelite Mah Jong ROYAL Set Mah Jongg, MahJong US $999.99
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 Fabulous Vintage 50s-60s Bakelite Mah Jong Set 164 tiles US $350.00
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 MAH JONGG BAKELITE COMPLETE 1969 IN ORIGINAL BOX US $295.00
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 Vintage Bakelite Mahjong tiles-Lot D US $24.95
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 Vintage Bakelite Mahjong tiles-Lot A US $24.95
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 MJ16 Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 4 Tiles Set Crack No. #1 US $28.00
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 BAKELITE MAH JONGG TILES US $25.00
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 MJ15 Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 4 Tiles Set Crack No. #5 US $28.00
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 MJ13 Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 4 Tiles Set Crack No. #8 US $28.00
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 MJ12 Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 4 Tiles Set Crack No. #6 US $28.00
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 MJ11 Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 4 Tiles Set Crack No. #4 US $28.00
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 10 Bakelite/Catalin Mah-Jong JONGG Tiles Jewelry Making Etc US $31.99
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 VINTAGE BAKELITE MAH JONG BETTOR OCTAGON SHAPE HARDLY EVER USED US $28.95
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 VINTAGE MAH JONG JONGG - BAKELITE RACKS - BETTER - DICE - GREEN GAME PIECES 152 US $649.99
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 TRANSLUCENT BAKELITE--5 VINTAGE MAH JONG SET RACKS "EXTREMELY RARE" 1950's US $89.00
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 Vintage Mah Jongg Jong Mahjong 152 Bakelite Tiles 4 Wood Trays 1 Bakelite Rack US $213.75
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 ANTIQUE VINTAGE MAH-JONG GAME BAKELITE WITH CASE SUITCASE US $149.95
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 Vintage 40's 50's Butterscotch Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Set 152 tiles w/ Case OLD US $325.00
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 Vintage MET Bakelite Mah Jong Mah Jongg Set + Bank US $659.95
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 4 Rottgames Catalin or Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Tile ~ One Dots US $18.99
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 Vintage "Pass-The-Buck" Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Bettor US $44.99
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 Vintage Burgundy~Green Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Bettor US $34.99
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 Vintage Olive~Green Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Bettor US $28.99
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 Vintage Butterscotch~Green Catalin Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Bettor US $28.99
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 4 2-Tone Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Dovetail Tiles ~Royal US $42.99
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