Thread: Shaving mug ID help

One on eBay right now.

View item:
Vintage Empire Mfg. Quadruple silver plated shaving mug
You are bidding on a Vintage Empire Mfg. Quadruple silver plated shaving mug.Nice unpolished patina-No dents or ding or repair,It measures about 2 inches tall to the top of the rim and 2 3/4 inches to the top of the handle and 3 1/4 inches across the top of the rim.

Originally Posted by Johnus

One on eBay right now.

View item:
Vintage Empire Mfg. Quadruple silver plated shaving mug

Yes, there are Other mugs on ebay. Just never one like mine from the same company, Rochester Stamping Co. Just looking for some history on this baby....

Sorry, I can't tell you anything about it, with the exception that it's a fine set that I wish was mine! Welcome to SRP.

Originally Posted by Firefighter2

Sorry, I can't tell you anything about it, with the exception that it's a fine set that I wish was mine! Welcome to SRP.

Thanks! I like how it is nice and Simple and not real ornate with all those silly flowers. I am still not even where the soap puck goes in a 2pc mug I have it in the insert now, load the brush up and lather in the mug. I guess it really does not matter as one could keep the puck in the mug and lather on top of it. Then use the insert with the brush holder in some fashion.

Even checked out YouTube, millions of videos, not one for the way to use a 2pc shaving mug ;(

I'm just trying to learn all I can about this "Lost Art" we here practice daily.

Originally Posted by TheDoughboy

Even checked out YouTube, millions of videos, not one for the way to use a 2pc shaving mug ;(

I'm just trying to learn all I can about this "Lost Art" we here practice daily.

I think it is a metal scuttle rather than a shaving mug!?

Originally Posted by Double0757

I think it is a metal scuttle rather than a shaving mug!?

Hey, I am a newbie and could be wrong. Maybe that is way the inside of the mug has more silver plate gone. I have tried a couple of times in the past, loading my brush from a separate soap mug and lathering in the top insert. It works but is a pain, due to it being so small and no very deep.

I was thinking, it could double as a mug and scuttle. You get the soap wet, work a lather inside the mug, when finished fill with hot water then use the top to keep the brush warm and use to face lather. Just a theory! It has me puzzle too. Double O

Ya know.. I would ask some of those fellows that collect occupational mugs... They are the mugs gurus.. Ithink it is kind of a separate hobby than your straight shaving bunch.. Kind of like those guys that collect scales, but don't really care about the straight blade?

Originally Posted by TheDoughboy

[QUOTEProbably one of the best ways to find an approximate timeline and value Is to look at eBay Shaving mug silver | eBay

Yeah, been there and done that on and off for the past couple of years... Never any luck. Also posted about it awhile back on Barber Shop Memorabilia with no replies yet. This is one elusive mug, just like the single pin Boker Grams also gave me. Never seen another one with the same scales yet, any where on the net. I get some pics if it up in the Boker Brotherhood soon...

The National Shaving Mug Collectors Association (NSMCA, of which I used to be a member) deals primarily with mugs that were usually decorated (porcelain), sold by barber supply manufacturers, and used in barbershops from about 1880 to around 1920. As mentioned, the big value mugs are the "occupational" mugs, originally called "trades" designs. The rarer the trade (Car Salesman, late 1800's/ early 1900's) the more valuable the mug today, with other factors included. Your grandfathers mug looks similar to mugs depicted in old catalogs (Sears) for home use and were quite common. Not sure of the age. It's value is as a family heirloom.

Have you asked your Grandma to see if she remembers your Grandpa using the mug and how? I think that would be a good start. Double O