 INTERNATIONAL
EXHIBITION, 1862. CLASS IV.
OFFICIAL
CATALOGUE, NO
1112.
A new
material and manufacture now
exhibited for the first time, has
from its valuable properties
induced the Inventor to Patent
the discovery in England and
France, and to devote his
attention for the last ten years
to the development of the
capabilities and application of
this beautiful substance to the
Arts.
In the Case are shown a few
illustrations of the numerous
purposes for which it may be
applied, such as Medallions,
Salvers, Hollow Ware, Tubes,
Combs, Knife Handles, Pierced and
Fret Work, Inlaid Work,
Bookbinding, Card Cases, Boxes,
Pens, Penholders, &c.,
-these have been produced solely
by the exhibitor (as Samples),
not having yet arranged a
systematic manufacture for the
material. It can be made Hard
as Ivory, Transparent
or Opaque,
of any degree of Flexibility,
and is also Waterproof;
may be of most Brilliant
Colours,
can be used in the Solid,
Plastic
or Fluid
State,
may be worked in Dies
and Pressure,
as
Metals,
may be Cast
or used as a Coating
to a great variety of substances;
can be spread or worked in a
similar manner to
India Rubber,
and has stood exposure to the
atmosphere for years without
change or decomposition. And by
the system of ornamentation
Patented by HENRY PARKES in 1861,
the most perfect imitation of Tortoises-shell,
Woods,
and an endless variety of effects
can be produced. Specimens of
which may be seen in the Case.
Patentee
and Exhibitor,
ALEX. PARKES,
BIRMINGHAM.
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An
explanatory leaflet, a likeness of which appears
above, was displayed in a showcase of colourful
exhibits at the 1862 London International
Exhibition. Although Vulcanite had been shown by
both Hancock and Goodyear at the 1851 Great
Exhibition, this was the first time that a
colourful material that did not rely on a surface
finish or dye had been put on public display. The
exhibitor and patentee was Alexander Parkes,
pictured in his later years at left. The leaflet
demonstrates his optimism for the new material
and, more significantly, anticipates many of the
uses for which plastics have been employed in the
subsequent 140 years. The following pictures show
perhaps some of those original exhibits and
justify Parkes' optimism and the award of a prize
medal "for excellence of product". 
