c. 1890 George Butler pair: saving Shakespeare’s head…

[Storyvillenight]

Saw this cased pair of George Butler ‘Keen’ razors in my local antique market last Thursday (before and after photos below). The seller wouldn’t budge off £40, which I thought was a bit steep. I walked, but had a change of heart and went back ten minutes later and got them.

One was pretty sound other than two rust spots on each side of the tang, the other was heavily tarnished with rusty finger prints all along both sides of the blade and very loose scales. Shakespeare’s head was completely obscured by rust. The box lid was detached.




The nice thing is they are a matching pair of No 0 razors with ivory scales which are in perfect un-cracked condition. I’m not expert enough to tell if they are a near wedge or ¼ hollow. The blades are very heavy with thick spines.

From the box lid, which mentions an award from Calcutta in 1884 and carries the crown and VR stamp for ‘Victoria Rex’, I can date them to between 1885 and 1901.

A week later, they’re both cleaned up, pins tightened as much as I dare; honed and shave ready. The box has been re-hinged with a couple of strips of gaffer tape and closes and latches great. Tested one this morning and it gives a very smooth shave.

Blades still have light pitting and some dark marks, but otherwise look good. And I managed to save Shakespeare’s head!



Details:
Tang markings: George Butler & Co, Trinity Works, Sheffield, England, ‘ART’ (Corporate Mark). No 0 on reverse side of tang
Blade markings: "Keen as is this razors edge invisible", Shakespeare, Love’s Labor Lost.
Scales: Ivory
Date: c. 1890