Is butterscotch mah jongg Bakelite or Catalin?

Usually Catalin. True Bakelite was dark and opaque, while cast Catalin could start pale and aged to a butterscotch color.

Were bone tiles replaced by plastic right away?

No. Plastic sets existed by 1922 and the materials overlapped for years.

What is printed on this premium crewneck sweatshirt?

The Big Joker tile, in our original engraved art.

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Heritage Mah Jongg Premium Crewneck Sweatshirt - The Big Joker

$52.00 USD

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Why is old mah jongg plastic the color of butterscotch? Age. Catalin tiles usually began white or cream, and decades of light and handling turned them that warm yellow.

Here is the color collectors chase, on a crewneck you can actually wear to the game. The art keeps the warm honey of a much-handled set, which suits the player who inherited one or still dreams about finding one.

True Bakelite was hot-moulded, dark and opaque, and could not be made white. Catalin was cast, so it could, and a 1933 patent describes low-temperature imitation ivory. That is why so many tiles called Bakelite are really Catalin, and why the name has stuck regardless of the chemistry.

Plastic did not simply replace bone. A Pyralin set was already on the market by 1922, and the materials overlapped for years. Today antique sets draw real collector interest. The thing to remember when you see one: butterscotch was never the factory color. It is what time did.

A premium crewneck in 80 percent ring-spun cotton and 20 percent polyester (the blend varies slightly by color), with ribbed collar, cuffs and hem and a tear-away label. Wash inside out in cold water, skip bleach and softener, then tumble dry low. No dry cleaning.

	S	M	L	XL	2XL
Width, in	20.47	22.05	23.62	25.20	26.77
Length, in	26.77	27.95	29.13	30.31	31.50
Sleeve length, in	25.59	26.18	26.77	27.36	27.95

QUICK FACTS — MAH JONGG PREMIUM CREWNECK SWEATSHIRT — THE BIG JOKER

Series: Heritage Mah Jongg, from The Mah Jongg Collection

Design: The Big Joker — the seated joker figure from the old Bakelite sets, drawn in the engraved style of an old set, printed artwork

Blank: premium crewneck, 80% ring-spun cotton / 20% polyester (varies slightly by color), ribbed collar, cuffs and hem, tear-away label

Care: wash cold inside out, no bleach or softener, tumble dry low, no dry cleaning

Colors: 7 offered

Sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL

Made to order in the USA

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Product FAQs

How does your sizing work?

Every item is made to order, so please check the size chart on this page before you buy. Women's fitted tees run small; size up for a looser fit. Caps are one size with an adjustable strap.

How are items made and when will they arrive?

We make each item to order using premium blanks, embroidery and soft-hand prints. Production takes 2-5 business days (weekends and holidays excluded), then 4-10 days in transit via USPS, UPS or FedEx to U.S. addresses; most orders arrive within 6-15 business days. You'll get a tracking link the moment it ships. Any current shipping offer is shown in the bar at the top of every page and applies automatically at checkout, no code needed.

How do I send a gift?

Enter the recipient's address as the shipping address and your own as the billing address at checkout. Nothing ships with a price; the package includes a plain packing slip. Tracking goes to your email, not theirs. For birthdays and holidays, order two weeks ahead to be safe.

What's the return policy?

Made-to-order items can't be returned or exchanged for size or color, so please use the size chart and photos before ordering. If anything arrives defective, misprinted or damaged, send a photo and your order number within 30 days and we'll replace it or refund you.

How do I care for my item?

Apparel: wash cold, inside out, with like colors; no bleach; tumble dry low or hang dry. Embroidered pieces: iron inside out to protect the stitching. Caps: spot clean. Printed glasses and water bottles: hand wash only, no dishwasher, so the artwork lasts. Mugs and engraved glasses are dishwasher safe. Any item-specific care notes are in the description above.

Who makes this?

Merlin Classics is a small Connecticut brand making original retro designs for the towns people love. Every piece is printed, embroidered or engraved to order in the USA, and the business supports hunger relief in the communities our collections celebrate.