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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 RARE VINTAGE BAKELITE MAH JONG DOMINOES GAME VINYL WOODEN BOX COMPLETE  US $99.99
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 Bakelite 2 Tone Mah Jongg Scorer Beautiful Rare US $29.95
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 VINTAGE MAH JONG JONGG BETTOR BAKELITE RED ON RED OCTAGON CHUNKY & RARE MUST C US $15.00
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 8 T Y L Games ~Ten Flowers Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Tiles ~Use as Jokers~ ~CC US $21.99
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 VINTAGE MAHJONG SET 152 PIECES BUTTERSCOTCH BAKELITE BY MONO N.Y. US $99.00
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 Vintage Bakelite Mah Jong Mahjong Set & Case US $203.50
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 VINTAGE BAKELITE MAHJONG MAH JONG SET GAME W/ 164 TILES * VERY NICE MAH JONGG US $92.00
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 LOT of 18 VINTAGE BAKELITE MAH JONG FLOWER TILES GAME PIECES JONGG ART COLLAGE US $19.99
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 Vintage Mah Jong Bakelite & Brass Coin Holder, Coins, Flower Tiles & Dice - NICE US $49.99
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 Vintage MAHJONG Game Set (Bakelite??? ) US $89.99
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 Vintage Retro Fudge Swirl Bakelite~Catalin Master Mah Jong Bank US $44.99
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 Vintage Bakelite Mah Jong Set 138 Black Back Tiles 90 Sticks w/ Wooden Box Wafer US $26.55
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 Vintage Royal Mah Jong Set butterscotch 152 bakelite catalin tiles 1940s 50s US $250.00
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 35 VINTAGE BAKELITE CATALIN MAH JONG TILES...GREAT CONDITION! US $30.00
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 22 BEAUTIFUL VINTAGE BAKELITE MAH JONG TILES...NICE CONDITION! US $25.00
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 VINTAGE MAHJONG MAH JONGG 4 RACKS CATALIN BAKELITE GORGEOUS COLORS EXCELLENT US $39.99
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 5 Vintage Mah Jong tile racks with betting chips & holders.Bakelite US $26.00
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 Vintage Bakelite Mah Jong Completed 144 Tiles Set With Wooden Case US $289.00
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 MAH JONG Bakelite Vintage - Complete Set - 152 Pieces - BEAUTIFUL!!! US $199.99
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 VINTAGE MAH JONGG MAH JONG BAKELITE SET W/BAKELITE RACKS & CASE US $99.99
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 Vintage LOWE Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Set-164 tiles-5 racks US $51.99
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 VINTAGE MAH JONG TRANSLUCENT BAKELITE catalin BETTOR BUTTERSCOTCH YELLOW US $24.99
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 1940'S-50'S BAKELITE MAH JONG GAME SET WITH CATALIN RACKS ALIGATOR CASE US $99.00
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 WONDERFUL COMPLETE VINTAGE BAKELITE MAH JONG SET 1950's - US $91.00
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 VTG 1939 Catalin Bakelite Mah Jongg Jong Game Set w/ Case 152 Tiles US $124.99
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 RARE MAH JONG BAKELITE ENROBED 152 TILES 5 TRAYS ORIGINAL CASE US $459.95
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 1920s Leather Case Mah Jong Set Bakelite 147 Tiles 128 Bones Figural Tiles US $263.88
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 27 TLY Vintage CRACK TILES Mah Jong-Jongg BAKELITE CATALIN Orphan Jewelry Joker US $24.99
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 21 TLY Vintage Orphan TILES Mah Jong-Jongg BAKELITE CATALIN GAME~Jewelry~Jokers US $20.99
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 EXTRA MAH JONG TILES from the 1920's bakelite US $35.99
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 VINTAGE MAHJONG MAH JONGG 4 CATALIN BAKELITE STOPPERS EXCELLENT BEAUTIFUL COLORS US $45.00
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 ROYAL BAKELITE MAH JONG JONGG SET NICE CONDITION GREAT CASE EXTRAS US $99.99
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 LOT OF 5 VINTAGE BAKELITE MAH JONG MAHJONGG RACKS metal flipper coin holders US $34.99
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 Antique Bakelite Mah Jong ROYAL Set Mah Jongg, MahJong US $599.99
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 8 Rottgames Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Tiles ~Joker~ Tiles US $21.99
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 4 Rottgames Catalin or Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Tile ~One Dots~AA US $24.99
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 Vintage Mah Jongg by Cardinal Products Co. Bakelite set. (166 tiles & 5 trays) US $49.99
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 4 2-Tone Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Dovetail Tiles ~Royal US $42.99
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 Vintage Bakelite Mah Jongg Set Mah Jong US $49.99
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 MAH JONG MAH JONGG CIRSLOID Co. BAKELITE / CATALIN TILES 152 US $68.03
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 Vintage Mah Jong Racks Burgandy Cherry Bakelite Brass Coin Ends Set of 3 L@@K! US $100.00
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 VINTAGE MAH JONG JONGG CHINESE BAKELITE SHOWY PEACOCK 148 TILES GORGEOUS - SEE US $399.99
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 Vintage Mah Jong Tiles Double Stack Green Bakelite US $175.00
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 VINTAGE MAH JONG BAKELITE (BUTTERSCOTCH COLOR) - MAHJONG 146 TILES + 2 DICE US $124.99
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 Vintage CATALIN MAH JONG BAKELITE SET*JOKER TILES* Alligator Case w/Box* US $200.00
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 The Ultimate Enrobed Bakelite Mah Jong Set- "Royal" 168 Tiles + Accessories US $2,695.00
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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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 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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 8 Catalin~ Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg FlowerTiles US $29.99
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 Set of Four Chinese Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Wind Tiles Napkin Rings US $17.99
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 Vintage Bakelite Mah Jong Jongg Bettor US $28.99
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 10 Bakelite/Catalin Mah-Jong JONGG Tiles Jewelry Making Etc US $31.99
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 10 Bakelite/Catalin Mah-Jong JONGG Tiles Jewelry Making Etc US $31.99
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 10 Bakelite/Catalin Mah-Jong JONGG Tiles Jewelry Making Etc US $31.99
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 Eight Vintage Chinese Bakelite Mahjong Mah Jongg Tiles for Jokers or Replacement US $48.00
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 MAH-JONG SOARING SPARROW BAKELITE US $295.00
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 MJ14 Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 4 Tiles Set Crack No. #3 (Craft & Jewelry) US $39.00
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 Eight Vintage Chinese Bakelite Black Back Mahjong Tiles for Jokers Mah Jongg US $58.00
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 Vintage Bakelite Mah Jong Set - Nicely labelled - FREE SHIPPING US $82.50
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 Vintage Mah Jongg Jong Mahjong 152 Bakelite Tiles 4 Wood Trays 1 Bakelite Rack US $160.00
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 Vintage Bakelite Catalin Mah Jong Jongg Bettor US $32.99
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 Eight Vintage Chinese Bakelite Mahjong Mah Jongg Tiles for Jokers or Replacement US $48.00
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 Eight Vintage Chinese Bakelite Mahjong Mah Jongg Tiles for Jokers or Replacement US $48.00
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 4 Chinese Bakelite~Green plastic Wafer Backed Mah Jong Jongg Wind Tiles US $22.99
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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 (Craft & Jewelry) US $34.00
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 MJ17 Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 4 Tiles Set Crack No. #7 (Craft & Jewelry) US $34.00
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 Antique Bakelite Mah Jong ROYAL Set Mah Jongg, MahJong US $949.99
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 Vintage 1959 Bakelite Mah Jongg Royal Genuine Hand Painted Catalin A&L Mfg. US $239.00
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 Antique Mah Jong Set 156 Tiles 5 Trays Counter Holder Butterscotch Bakelite US $599.99
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 VINTAGE BAKELITE / CATALIN MAH JONG MAH JONGG BETTOR US $20.00
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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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 Vintage 1930s CARDINAL MAH JONGG Game 163 BAKELITE Tiles & CATALIN Racks in Case US $249.95
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 VINTAGE MAH JONG JONGG - BAKELITE RACKS - BETTER - DICE - GREEN GAME PIECES 152 US $599.99
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 MJ16 Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 4 Tiles Set Crack No. #1 (Craft & Jewelry) US $34.00
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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 (Craft & Jewelry) US $34.00
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 MJ13 Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 4 Tiles Set Crack No. #8 (Craft & Jewelry) US $34.00
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 MJ12 Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 4 Tiles Set Crack No. #6 (Craft & Jewelry) US $34.00
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 VINTAGE BAKELITE MAH JONG 152 PIECE SET BY CARDINAL INDUST. BROOKLYN N.Y. US $125.00
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 Vintage Bakelite Butterscotch Mah jong Set 152 Tiles Faux Alligator Case US $379.00
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 Vintage Bakelite Mah Jong Set with Case US $1,249.99
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 Vintage Cardinal Mah Jongg Set, 152 Bakelite Tiles, 5 Racks w/Coin Holders. US $370.00
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 Vintage Mah Jong Board Game Bakelite 164 Tiles 5 Trays Original Case US $1,399.99
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 Vintage Bakelite Mah-Jongg Set 154 Tiles 6 Racks/Coins US $345.00
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 Antique Mah Jong Set Engraved Pieces Catalin/Bakelite 149 Pieces and Five Trays US $699.00
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 MJ34 Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 4 Tiles Set Bamboo No. #9 (Craft & Jewelry) US $34.00
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 MJ33 Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 4 Tiles Set Bamboo No. #5 (Craft & Jewelry) US $34.00
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 MJ32 Chinese Mahjong Bakelite 4 Tiles Set Bamboo No. #4 (Craft & Jewelry) US $34.00
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 Vintage OLD Mah Jong Butterscotch Bakelite Set 152 Pieces US $699.99
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 EXTRA MAH JONG TILES from the 1920's bakelite US $35.99
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 1940s Bakelite 172 pc Antique Mah Jongg game Complete Great Detail Many pictures US $349.95
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 ANTIQUE VINTAGE MAH-JONG GAME BAKELITE WITH CASE SUITCASE US $149.95
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 Mah Jong Set in Red Leatherette Case - 152 Catalin tiles, 5 Bakelite Racks etc. US $445.00
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 Vintage Mah Jong Set In Case Bakelite / Catalin Tiles Racks Jongg Mahjong Royal US $374.95
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