Thread: Travel razor stamped "sterilized NYC USA swastika in the middle

Today, that symbol instills fear into the hearts of many. What is was before makes no difference. It will forever be tied the the Nazi party.

..........True ........

It used to be a symbol of life and longevity. Then the Nazi party adopted it and it now has a different connotation.

Perhaps on a long enough time line the human race can accept this symbol as something more in line with its pre-nazi meaning...but I doubt it.

As for the history and affiliation of the maker and original purchaser of that brush...I tend to lean toward belief that it was not associated with the Nazi movement.

I have been researching this brush for about an hour now just because it has piqued my interest. From everything that I've seen it was probably made in the 1920's. I have actually found an old post on SRP about the same kind of brush. As a lot of people know the Nazi Party did not adopt the swastika until the 1930's. I am no historian like I said but doing the research it looks like this was not made for the American Bund party. It simply is just a Buddhist or Hindu symbol for good luck, unless it is at a roughly 45 degree angle, that is how Hitler used the swastika.

We have a Federal Courthouse in New Mexico built prior to 1930 and one of the courtrooms is lined with swastikas. As a matter of fact right behind where the judge sits is an eagle holding a huge swastika.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

We have a Federal Courthouse in New Mexico built prior to 1930 and one of the courtrooms is lined with swastikas. As a matter of fact right behind where the judge sits is an eagle holding a huge swastika.

it is funny how Hitler distorted certain things to the point that we cannot even use them for their original purpose anymore....

Originally Posted by anthogia

it is funny how Hitler distorted certain things to the point that we cannot even use them for their original purpose anymore....

Yeah, he also ruined the "postage stamp mustache". I saw this some time ago, I also notice that there is a Swastika Drug Co on the list, perhaps a shave brush could have been one of theirs?

Lucky Swastikas Retronaut | Retronaut - See the past like you wouldn't believe.

I have an old Swatsika razor hone. It does not say where it was made, but everything on the box is in English. The symbol is not tilted, so it is not representative of Nazi Germany.

Through a series of connections and coincidences far too long to get into here, my very reserved retired-RCMP Dad got to know an artist from Cranbrook BC who sadly passed away last year called Manwoman. To say he was an interesting dude would be a massive understatement.

One of his missions in life was to restore the original meaning of the swastika which, as has been mentioned above, was a symbol of peace, harmony, etc., in an incredibly diverse array of cultures around the world. I remember taking a picture for him of the tiles in a building at the University of Manitoba that were in a repeating swastika pattern. It's a symbol that turns up in all sorts of places. I think that photo ended up in one of his books. Anyway, I just can't let any discussion of the history of the swastika without giving credit to this wonderfully strange and fascinating artist and what was his life work.

I think that when it comes to uphill lifelong struggles, restoring the pre-Nazi meaning of the swastika must be one of the big ones.

BTW, my favourite piece of Manwoman art? "Moodonna and Child" A wonderfully whimsical print of a cow and calf that has adorned my folks' house for at least 25 years. I just wish I could find a pic of it...

Manwoman's website: manwoman.net

I have an old gas clayback heater from way back in my family with a swatstika (not tilted) on the gas valve/burner. Just goes to show. A little slant on anything ruins everything.
JMO