Shaving mug ID help

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10-05-2012, 04:02 PM
TheDoughboy

Shaving mug ID help

I have a question and I'm hoping the mug Gurus can shed some light for me. I have an old silver plated 2pc shaving mug with insert, from my late Grandpa, given to me be Grandma years after Gramps passed. Searching the net I came across knives, silent butlers & tea pots from Rochester Stamping Works, but Nothing about shaving mugs from this company. Is this a rare bird I have here?

Really I'm just trying to Date the mug so I know about how old it is, maybe a value, so I can pass it on someday. I have attached a couple photos and one of the logo on the bottom of the mug. The logo stamp is not very deep, or complete, making viewing it a pain. It says "Rochester Stamping" over a diamond shape. In the diamond shape it says "ROS CO". The S in the middle is larger and has a ships anchor in it.

The silver plate is wearing thin on the bottom and is coming off the inside bottom. I still use it from time to time. Hopefully it is still ok to use as is.

Ron

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps211fc957.jpg

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps47ddd7d6.jpg

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps812f4ad8.jpg

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps7f1fa225.jpg

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps7d6b5d59.jpg

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/r...psec5350eb.jpg

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps0744b379.jpg
10-06-2012, 05:50 AM
SirStropalot

TDB,
Can't give valuations, it's against the SRP rules. (Solicitations, valuations, and sales
These are not allowed on Straight Razor Place, including the Chat, except in the Vendors and Auctions sections, and the Classifieds, under the respective rules.) SRP rules of conduct - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Probably one of the best ways to find an approximate timeline and value Is to look at eBay Shaving mug silver | eBay unless a member posts with some specific knowledge.
Nice looking item, wish I had my Grandfathers'!! And, Welcome to SRP!! Look forward to seeing you on the forums.

Best Regards,
Howard
10-06-2012, 07:22 AM
mapleleafalumnus

Very nice!
10-06-2012, 05:02 PM
nun2sharp

I wonder what it would cost to re plate that thing? With the price of silver going up I would almost hate to look.
10-06-2012, 05:11 PM
TheDoughboy

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

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...
10-06-2012, 05:22 PM
unit

Shaving mug ID help

Value?

If it were my family heirloom, it would be priceless to me and I'd do my best to make sure it was valued similarly by whomever it gets passed to.

Thanks for sharing the images. Seems like a very cool piece.
10-06-2012, 07:30 PM
TheDoughboy

Quote:

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

I wonder what it would cost to re plate that thing? With the price of silver going up I would almost hate to look.

Not sure, I was always led to believe that you should leave the original finish alone? It has a nice patina and more actual Shine to it than the pics show. I have thought about hitting it with a little Nevr-dull or some Maas. But then I'd be messing with the original patina. Well see what happens in time I guess.
10-06-2012, 07:44 PM
stimpy52

I'm pretty sure that an antique dealer would tell you not to touch it. I concur. I have a feeling that it's not worth a fortune -- except to you, and in my opinion, the best way to honor your grandfather would be to use it, enjoy it, think of your grandfather... and pass on his memory and mug on to another generation.
10-06-2012, 11:02 PM
thebigspendur

probably if you do a search under Silver-hallmarks you would get something. if you have a large library nearby you could do it that way. Silver hallmarks are very well documented. I collect pocketwatches and you can date silver cases almost to the month they were made, the city it was made, the name of the silversmith and the guild he was a member of going back to the 1700s and before.
10-06-2012, 11:21 PM
TheDoughboy

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

probably if you do a search under Silver-hallmarks you would get something. if you have a large library nearby you could do it that way. Silver hallmarks are very well documented.

Yea, Been there done that. Found some Rochester "Stamping Works" and Rochester "Stamping Company", nothing like the hallmark on this mug. Even contacted the library in Rochester, NY. They have some old catalogs and took the time to look through them for this mug. They said the catalogs have nothing like my mug listed. :shrug:
10-06-2012, 11:26 PM
Johnus

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.
10-06-2012, 11:44 PM
TheDoughboy

Quote:

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.... :beer1:
10-08-2012, 07:56 PM
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. :chapeau
10-08-2012, 08:23 PM
TheDoughboy

Quote:

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. :chapeau

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 :shrug: 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.
10-09-2012, 11:38 AM
Double0757

Shaving mug ID help

Quote:

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!?
10-09-2012, 07:34 PM
TheDoughboy

Quote:

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.
10-09-2012, 11:30 PM
Double0757

Shaving mug ID help

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
10-10-2012, 01:49 AM
Wintchase

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?
10-12-2012, 07:02 AM
honedright

Quote:

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.
10-12-2012, 08:40 AM
Double0757

Shaving mug ID help

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
10-12-2012, 03:02 PM
TheDoughboy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double0757

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

Yes I did, when she gave it to me and she could Not remember anything about it's use. He stopped using the mug and straight in the mid 50's and switched to electric razors.