Thread: New to collecting...

Hello,
Im new to collecting straight razors, its sorta grew on me when i decided to buy some chiefs and dovos. so i made it a hobby.
I went to napa a month ago and checked out some of the antique shops and found two straight razors that i have never heard of.
one in a blue box that states HENRY SEARS AND SON 1865 extra ground and mfd in germany. The razor has a wodden handle thats seen better days with a worn sheild emblem on it. the razor is crying for re polishing to remove the rust but on the razors spine it has printed George Mostenholm original and the rest is rusted over. the other side has some odd kinda symbol on i. I'd like to say its a small bell with a curving handle? i dont know. the thing that attracted me to it was the box said it was BLue STeel lol.

now the other box says Solingen with a music symbol after it with a long tale that goes under the Solingen. the only thing thats bad about the razor is there is a chip in the handle. the razor is practically rust free. on its razor it has printed registered nov-9-1886. by the handle ont he metal it has printed McCoy and sanders warranted.
any ideas as to how much these are worth? as well, i am trying to get some good photos of the razors to post online since i know my descriptions are pretty bad. if you folks here have any ways to help or have any suggestions as to who made them or any way to tell me if they have a good value to them that would be much appreciated thank you.
Wylder

the first box

a close up on the razor and whats printed on it

a long view of it fully

this is the first one in the red box. please let me know what you think if its in the wrong box or not or anything that would help me better understand what i have in my possesion. thank you

wylder

i love this box. its what caught my eye.

the disclaimer about the razor

the razor outside the box with the shield emblem thing.

proof the blade needs love

the odd bell symbol

a close up of whats printed on it. and more rust...

thats it for the two in question. if you have any ideas or info about the razors i would be very happy to hear about them as well as suggestions and other replies. i just want to know if i have something thats hard to find. oneof a kind. or run of the mill just olden ones. any info about these would be greatly appreciated. thank you

wylder

Wylder,
Welcome.... collecting is a disease best served when you use your collections as intended... we will get you there.

the second razor is a george wostenholm out of sheffield "original pipe razor" (the logo on the back is a pipe) i cannot make out if it says "and son" so here are 2 options for you also if it says england then it was mostl likely made after 1890... somebody wiser will show up soon to correct me.


WOSTENHOLM, GEORGE
Sheffield
1797 - 1823 ("Old Sheffield Razors" by Lummus. Antiques, December 1922 p.261-267)

GEORGE WOSTENHOLM & SON
Successors to George Wostenholm in 1823 ("Old Sheffield Razors" by Lummus. Antiques, December 1922 p.261-267)
Rockingham Works ca. 1694 - 1847
Washington Works, Sheffield ca. 1847 - at least 1991