Straight Razor Auction Ending 12/12

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

Limited Edition Joseph Rodger & Sons Hardcover Book. “Exhibition Knives Joseph Rodgers & Sons The Samuel Setian Collection” by Abel Domenech. Privately published by the collector who resides in South America, this was my copy, which has a few dog eared pages and personal notes/highlights. Complete with dust jacket, it mainly features the extraordinary collection of Joseph Rodgers & Sons Exhibition knives of Samuel Setian. However, it has some great Joseph Rodgers & Sons history and illustrations throughout. Joseph Rodgers & Sons was in business for 300 years from 1670 to 1970. During that time, they produced some of the finest cutlery that the World has ever seen. They had the largest store of ivory in England at their warehouse, which is illustrated in the book. Did you know that for an employee to be in the “Annual Company Photograph” they had to work for Joseph Rodgers & Sons for at least 50 years? Their company photo shows a large group of employees.  Illustrations of their showroom at 6 Norfolk Street witnesses beautiful showcases of cutlery including oversized display “Exhibition” pieces. Large multi-bladed knives are shown along with a display razor and pair of scissors on oval wood bases. After their closure in 1970 an auction was held to liquidate personal property and fixtures. I managed to obtain the two large display, Exhibition razors. One had a wood handle and no base, the other was of natural material on it’s base. Both are now in great private collections. I have sold many wonderful Rodgers razors over the past 50 years. However, the top shelf sets and unique, one of a kind pieces, I have kept until now. Check out the other 14 Joseph Rodgers & Sons offerings in this catalog. They are Lot numbers: 6,10,13,23,35,38,46,47,68,73,79,90,91 & 92. Book closed measures: 9.25x11.5x1.25”thick.

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

Cased Matched Pair of “Snow” Carved Natural Material Handled Straight Razors in lined, slotted case. C-1840. Period repair with wire on head end of one razor.

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

Very Rare Cased 7-Day Set of “folding” Joseph Rodgers & Sons s Straight Razors having natural handle materials. The days of the week are beautifully etched across the tops of each blade. The tangs : “RODGERS CUTLERS TO THEIR MAJESTIES.” This was either a top shelf custom ordered set, or an Exhibition Set, as I have never encountered a single folding, lockback Rodger’s razor before. The lid is detached from this leather covered, lined wood case.  (See images for minor damage)

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

Oversized Joseph Rodgers & Sons Exhibition Bowie Knife having ornate silverplated handle, with fancy worked-back, clip-point blade and fully engraved guard. Knife measures  20” overall with a 13.5” clipped point blade, 4.5” guard. The fancy work on the back of the blade matches the work on the back-cover knife, and many of the other Exhibition knives pictured in the Joseph Rodgers book (Lot 88). The blade is stamped: JOSEPH RODGERS & SONS CUTLERS TO THEIR MAJESTIES 6 NORFOLK ST. SHEFFIELD. Bowie knives became popular after the death of James Bowie (April 10, 1796 – March 6, 1836), at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. James Bowie was considered the originator of this knife pattern, launching it’s popularity in 1836. C-1850. Rare.

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

Genuine Stag handled Joseph Rodgers & Sons Bowie Knife with Sheath. V(crown)R JOSEPH RODGERS & SONS CUTLERS TO “HER” MAJESTY 6 NORFOLK ST. SHEFFIELD. (V crown R - Queen Victoria 1837-1901). C-1860. Measures: 15.25” overall with a 10” clipped point blade. Cast German Silver guard. The original leather sheath has its metal throat and tip.

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

Cased “MORNING EXERCISES” Shaving Kit With a Pair of Carved/Checkered Bone Handled “Traveling” Straight Razors From the Henry T. Lummus Collection illegibly stamped. The Set includes a pair of smaller than average razors, a folding carved bone shaving brush in case, a wood handled brush and a 19thC tin container. The blades are marked in red with the number “183” identifying the set as part of the original Pre-1920 Collection of Henry T. Lummus. The number is an inventory number from the Henry T. Lummus Collection assembled before 1920. Lummus wrote articles on straight Razor Collecting for "Antiques" magazine in the 1920's. Link to more information of Lummus: https://www.mass.gov/person/henry-tilton-lummus The lift top, upright case with gold lettering resembles a book.

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

Cased 7-Day Set of Straight Razors missing one blade. The six blades with days of the week etched across the the top, have tangs stamped “P. SPURR.” The ornately shaped, trimmed in brass handle is scrimshawed natural material decorated in script “THE REVD. JAMES BLACKBURN” on the front, and “VICAR OF GAINFORD” on the pile side. The brass tang, locking device is unique to accept the tangs of these razors only. The case is lined, leather covered wood. I found this quote on the internet regarding the “Church of Whickham:” “The Chapel was consecrated by the Bishop of Durham, 30 July 1812. The Rev. James Blackburn. A. M. Vicar of Gainford, late Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, is the first Chaplain.” Link to British History Online: Wickham Parish: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/antiquities-durham/vol2/pp237-258 I also found this Notice: "Died, March 4, 1824, at his house, in the Bailey, Durham, aged 55, the Rev. James Blackburn, A. M. rector of Romuldkirk, in the county of York, and vicar of Gainford, in the county of Durham; heretofore a fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and lecturer of the church of St. Nicholas, in this town. The integrity, the kindness and courteousness of disposition and manners, the literary acquirements, and the extensive but unostentatious charities of this gentleman, will cause his decease to be not more deeply regretted by the poor, than by those who had the happiness of his acquaintance and friendship."—Newcastle Courant.“

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

Cased 18thC, Upright Grooming Set Having Two Matched Pairs of Tortoiseshell Handled Straight Razors, Strop, Horn Comb,Scissors and Glass Container with silver cap. The upright, lined wooden case is covered in sharkskin having metal hardware, lock and key. The full size pair of razors are simply stamped “P” and have fancy cast silver head end caps. The second pair are smaller, “traveling” razors. Very rare. 4.25x3.25x9.5”t.  (See images for damage)

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

Cased 18thC, Upright Grooming Set Having Matched Pair of Silver Trimmed Tortoiseshell Handled Straight Razors with primitive makers stamp on tangs. The eleven piece set includes two button hooks, two boot jacks, razors, a pair of scissors and three slender grooming tools all fitting into the unusual reptile skin covered wood, compartmentalized case having fancy silver trip and handle on top. This is the finest upright traveling grooming kit that I have ever encountered. 4.25x3.25x9.5”t. (See images for damage)

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

Boxed “Duke of Marlborough’s” Folding Razor from the Henry T. Lummus Collection with original letters providing provenance. The small, wedge blade is unmarked. The handle scales are known as “Select Horn,” one of the rarest handle materials found on razors. This comes in the small cardboard box with original letters, just the way I received it when I purchase the Lummus Collection of razors over forty years ago. According to the letters, this razor was auctioned in 1908 as the Duke Of Marlbough’s razor. It was purchased by George Butler & Company, the well known razor making firm in Sheffield. A 1930 handwritten letter, included in this lot, from Henry Lummus’ nephew describes how he acquired it, “I was fortunate recently, at a sale of Robert Belfitt’s”, managing director of G. Butler & Co., the razor manufacturers, to obtain the interesting little pocket razor which I herewith forward with all particulars for your approval.” It goes on to say, “You will notice that 22 years ago this article was sold at a sale by auction in London for 20/-, and its price today is 40/-.” Lummus’s nephew goes on to say in the 1930 letter, “I do not know whether one is justified in sending these interesting items out of the country. However that may be, I feel sure the razor could not be in any better hands than yours for future preservation.” Note: I have come to learn that we are all temporary custodians of all these interesting artifacts. Another short note from a “W. North” appears to be selling the razor for 25/- to “R. Belfitt.” It is interesting that Lummus received the Duke of Marlborough’s razor in early August of 1930 and that he wrote a letter on August 29th, 1930 to an attorney in Boston offering to add this historical razor to his collection that he was offering for sale. In the Letter, Lummus describes the provenance of the razor and ends with, “If the gentleman who has talked to you, buys my collection, he may have this also. Sincerely, H. Lummus.” Here is a link to the Wikipedia page for the Duke of Marlborough: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Churchill,_1st_Duke_of_Marlborough A wonderful one-of-a-kind historical razor with letters.

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

Magnificent Early 19thC French Gentlemen’s Traveling Grooming Case loaded with tools, containers and accessories. The beautiful wood case is brass bound and multi-layered with key and green material pad. There are two pairs of razors. The first are long French examples with stamped makers on tang and natural material handles inlaid with silver shield shaped escutcheon plates and head end caps. The other pair stamped TAMMERS PATENT STRAND are smaller “travel” razors with natural material handles. The tops of the blades are etched “GROUND ON A 4” STONE.” The Hallmarked Silver basin has two layers of compartmentalized trays fitted with razors and tools. Please review images to see details of all the accessories including folding boot jacks, funnels, wax stamp, glass containers with silver tops, silver handled brush, strop, metal covered containers and slender natural material handled grooming tools. This is one of the finest Gentlemen’s traveling Grooming sets you will ever encounter. Measures: 8x12.5x5”t

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

100 Wooden Case Having 3 Sets of Matching Blades and Two single Handles with locking devices. The makers of the three sets are JOSEPH RODGERS (6), FENNEY (5) and JAMES JOHNSON SILVERSTEEL (7). One handle is Genuine Buffalo Horn, the other is natural material. 9.5x3.75x1.5”t

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

A fantastic Lined, Polished Mahogany 7-Day Set Box in need of razors.

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

Magnificent 19thC Cased Gentlemen’s Traveling Grooming Set with two pairs of Genuine Bone handled razors and accessories. The beautiful wood case is brass bound and multi-layered. The glass containers have silver tops. There are a pair of folding metal boot jacks, a button hook and a corn razor. The 2-part shaving brush is genuine bone to match the razor handles and screws together. The interior lid is inset with a mirror that is concealed behind a plush lined petition that locks in place with a clasp. The full size razors stored in the top section are stamped “ARCHER.” The pair of smaller “travel razors” are stamped WARRANTED and are kept in the lower compartment. The large brass inlaid escutcheon plate on the top of the brass bound box with key hole is nicely engraved “FEAR GOD AND DREAD NOUGHT” in a belt surrounding a winged bird on pedestal. Measurements: 10.25x7x5”t

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

Incomplete Cased 7-Day Set having one handle and 5 blades. C-1820’s. The blade tangs are stamped “2.” The natural material handle has an inlaid pattern of “pique work” pins on the front side. Note: Pique work was the art of inlaying tiny silver pins, by hand, into the predrilled holes of the pattern. It was a cottage industry done in homes around the manufacturing city of Sheffield. This artistry was popular from about 1820-1840's. Pique work was performed on horn, pearl, tortoiseshell, ivory and bone. You will not find two identical pieces. Even the pins are set by hand so they are not even in height. These one Handled seven day sets are extremely rare and were produced for a very short period of time, approximately 1820-1840. Further, each locking device is numbered to correspond with the specific shaped tang that fits it. In this case the number is "2” which is on the tangs. You could not lock these blades into the handle of any other similar set. The lined case is leather covered wood, when closed it resembles a book. The outside spine is embossed ALLEN’s SERMON. 

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

19thC American Made Carving Set with fancy carved natural material handles in plush lined lower box. Measures: 16.5x6x1”t. Set made by LANDERS, FRARY & CLARK from Connecticut.

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

Fancy Cased Utensil Set. The lined, leather covered wood case is fitted with a set of engraved fork, knives& spoon with mother of pearl handles. 9x3.75x1”t  Cutlery Set.

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

Brass Bound Cased Gentlemen’s Travel Grooming Set. The fancy box is fitted with a mirror in the lid and has a lift-out, carved wood tray with pocket knife, tweezers and a pair of folding boot jacks. There are two glass jars with silver tops. No razors. Measures: 4.5x9.5x3.25”t.

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

Magnificent, jumbo, 19thC Cased Gentlemen’s Traveling Grooming Set with four of Genuine Bone handled razors and accessories. The beautiful wood case is intricately inlaid with brass including flush handles and is multi-layered. The glass containers have fancy silver tops with open-work. There is a mirror in the lid behind a plush panel secured by a clasp. One of the five silver topped containers has a genuine bone toothbrush. An interior brass pin secures the lower drawer. The area below the liftout tray with razors houses the fancy wood inlaid brushes and hand mirror. The 4 full size razors stored in the top section are stamped “HILL & SONS 4 HAYMARKET S.W..” Measurements: 13.5x9.5x7.25”t.  (See images for damage)

More Info / Bid Track Item Register

Incomplete 7-Day set of BENETFINK & JONES Single Handled razors. The six blades have the number “3” stamped into the end of the tang to fit into the brass locking device. The box is lined, leather covered wood. The natural material handle has a serpentine sped metal inlaid escutcheon plate.