Hair comb

1880-1910

Measurements

5-7/8 in x 6-5/8 in x 4 in

Materials

Celluloid

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.

Accession Number

1971.1497

Inscription

"14" in ink is on a small oval label attached to the inside near the top.

Condition Notes

One side edge and one tooth has some small chips. 

Provenance

Ex coll. Mrs. E. Tatnall (Mary Corbit) Warner

Comments

Celluloid, the first thermoplastic, adapted well to creating objects that looked like tortoiseshell, a much more costly material.  Celluloid combs became popular from the 1880s on.  This one, which may derive from Spanish comb designs, is essential a half-cylinder with 32 teeth cut into one side.