Thread: A georgeus couple

I´m going to try to make me undertand, my pice is not complete, the top of the first part was eaten by rats provabli, rats loves horn, but in the first part you could set the calamus or feather pen wich when you write set it in the hole of the top, makein a hand, the second cup is an inkwell and the third is a sand salver to dry the ink over the paper, look another photos showing ones compleet

Those are magnificent pieces of functional art. Your story and your find have given us all a glimpse of history, making us wonder what the owner was like, and if you will enjoy the razors as much as he did. Thank you for showing us the pictures.

Originally Posted by Robertoreigosmendez

Brilliant, you're a master Neil, and an dictionary, but for me with my shor capavility to undertand english sentences, the final is no too clear, wath do you want to say, Regency period?, thanks and regard

Indeed, Sir Neil, Brilliant!
Seriously, Are you saying it was Thomas Osborn's father, (Henry) who is most likely the maker of these blades?

A quick look at the gorgeous razors in the book:
STRAIGHT RAZORS
900 YEARS OF RAZOR AND CASE EXCELLENCE
1000 – 1900
BY RENZO JARDELLA
Suggests that the razors are French. The illustrations of the soldiers seem to be of the late 1700+ and like unto the illustrations in the book.

Straight Razors: 900 Years of Razor and Case Excellence 1000-1900 (Book) by Renzo Jardella (2012): Waterstones.com
Just my take on those gorgeous razors.
Love them dearly! They are thestuff of dreams!
~Richard

+1 on Geezer: 'the stuff of dreams.'
An astounding thread!

Tom and Roberto - yes, my feeling is that the maker was Henry Osborn. Not only was he supplying arms to the Board of Ordnance (ie the Military) pre 1808, but he was officially appointed as cutler to the Prince Regent in 1811. He was perhaps one of the most famous sword makers in England. It is only natural that he made other cutting edge implements like razors, following the well defined path of many an old Solingen maker. Indeed, Wilkinson & Son, began with Henry Nock, an arms supplier to the Crown during the Napoleonic Wars. His company albeit with its origins in fire-arms, became known as Wilkinson Sword, and in it's incarnation of Wilkinson & Son produced many fine razors, all bearing royal warrants. Nock even occupied roughly the same time-frame as Osborn. Osborn's main workshop was at Bordesley Mill, but he obviously had an outlet in London's Pall Mall before he teamed up with John Gunby in 1808.



The above is from a particularly handsome blued and gilded sword with ivory handle and engraved stars, it says 'H. Osborn' in the upper part just in case the pic is not clear. Other examples of just his surname stamped on to goods include 'Osborn's Warranted Steel'.

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by Geezer

A quick look at the gorgeous razors in the book:
STRAIGHT RAZORS
900 YEARS OF RAZOR AND CASE EXCELLENCE
1000 – 1900
BY RENZO JARDELLA
Suggests that the razors are French. The illustrations of the soldiers seem to be of the late 1700+ and like unto the illustrations in the book.

Straight Razors: 900 Years of Razor and Case Excellence 1000-1900 (Book) by Renzo Jardella (2012): Waterstones.com
Just my take on those gorgeous razors.
Love them dearly! They are thestuff of dreams!
~Richard

I'm afraid I have to disagree slightly, Richard! Not with your remarks about the razors excellence with which I whole-heartedly agree, but the origin.

For instance, I believe that the men are not soldiers, and that the razor is not french. The blade has 'Osborn' stamped on it - a English surname from mediaeval english origins. The men are simply wearing Georgian hunting clothes - they are country gents out for a bit of sport with their dogs:



The difficulty is the 'Regency Era' tag. Officially there was no Regency Era before George the Prince of Wales, later George IV, stepped in to act as Prince Regent in 1811 during his father's last stages of madness. However, King George III had suffered periods of madness to prior to this date - in the 1790s he threw a wobbler and parliament drew-up a Regency Act to allow the Prince to rule in his place. George got better, though, and the Act was approved by him but did not pass into law at that time. Osborn's partnership with Gunby began in 1805, but they still used Osborn's name to trade on until 1808, when both names were used. This pre-dates the beginning of the Regency of period by some 3 years or so, but no doubt the fashions that we associate with that short era of time (1811 - 1820) were already prevalent. So the razor is possibly pre-1808. Either that, or Osborn continued to make other items at Bordesley Mill bearing just his name for some time after 1808, which seems a possibility. The other possibility - that they could have been made after the partnership with Gunby was dissolved is a slightly less attractive option, as Osborn would die just seven years later, in 1827.

The thing that turns me against Thomas Osborn, Henry's son, making them is that he was not born until 1816 - he would be just four years old at the end of the Regency Era proper, and just 11 years old when his father died in 1827, ruling out hsi father being his Master and the family name being struck on the blades.

Regards,
Neil

We knew you'd come up with the goods Neil. If Robert A Doyle's Collecting Straight Razors is correct, about the evolution of the tang, monkey tail, and the shape of the scales, then a 1800-1808 date makes sense on that pair. Also the paperwork that was found in the drawer where the razors were. Sweet set one way or the other.

I like that expression "threw a wobbler"! Now tell the truth, Neil. You DO have a hat like that.........don't you!

Well Roberto you always seems to come up with some interesting razors but this pair is really impressive, looks unused in very good condition, the desk and its contents is fantastic, thanks for sharing.