The Trademark R Heart Spain belongs to Ann Rowland from West Bar Green Sheffield, England. She came from a big family of cutlers, father brothers, sister,
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Nice!
The dip-at-toe is indeed very clear! Since this razor is pretty alike this "France" razor:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...h-century.html (post #4 & #6),
I would set the date around 1780-1790, maybe towards 1770, not older though...
The "Spain" can be seen in the "Ann Rowland" razors, but they would have a "R <heart>" above "Spain"...
Here it seems that there is "IN" stamped above?
Do you have more pictures with details of the stamp?
Regards
From the 1774 G&M, I thought Ann Rowland's trademark was "R Heart" and/or "AIN", therefore I discarded that possibility...
Attachment 234923
Do you mean Gales and Martin could be wrong on that point ? Is it a typo or were AIN and SPAIN both trademarked ?
By the way, do we know if this was Ann's specific trademark or Rowland family's one (like P* was Norris/Fox one, not specifically Samuel's one) ?
Here you go gentlemen !
Attachment 234924
Could definitely be a R and a Heart, although the letter blocks are kinda unprecise and look older than this one (which by the way says PAIN without R and Heart):
http://straightrazorpalace.com/attac...2102-kopie.jpg
Martin, do these dates comes to you from the fact she appears in the 1774 directory and not in the 1787 one ? Or do you have more informations about Rowland's (Ann or family) activity ?
EDIT:
With Ann+Rowland keywords, I can find much more infos, although, as always, things are not that easy...
http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...knowledge.html
Indeed finding information on these very old razors is not quite simple at all. Personally i believe that gales & Martin reproduction on Ann Rowland trademark is incorrect. There is a few example of a razor with the R Heart and Spain and never seen a razor with R Heart and Ain? What are the chances of having a razor maker from the same era using a trademark with R Heart and not Spain but Ain, stamped in the same fashion.
Attachment 234925
Ann trademark was specific to her, since her sister used a totally different stamp, and it seems like others cutlers with the Rowland name were not fabricating razors.
I do not have any more information about the family, so since Ann was listed in 1774 and not on the later directory, that how the dates were figured out. it is highly probable that it could be earlier then 1774 but not later then 1787.
Martin (and others), would you consider the letter blocks an indication of the age ? The more primitive the older ? Or does it only reflect the quality of the stamps used ?
Thankx for the pictures!
Could indeed be R Heart SPAIN!
Indeed, Zak also mentioned that the mark stamp in Sketchley's Directory 1774 could be wrong
Also a bit more information that Zak gave (Thank you Zak!), if you don't have this already:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...d-shavers.html (p. 58, post #580)
Thank you Fikira !
I read that post from Zak but totally forgot about it !
About edge length, may I ask those who own razors from that time if they meet mine ? I've got two razors little younger (probably around 1790-1800 - one Clark and Hall and one Birks - both Cast steel) that are shorter (3" 3/16 and 3" long). Zak, If you read me, I'd like to have your measurements. :D
How do they shave by the way ? Been told they were much softer than (let's say) 1820's Sheffield. Is it possible it is made of cast steel (without mentioning it) or is it quite early for that time ?