Thread: Pre-Civil War beauty from Baltimore

James Wilks Junior Baltimore. James Wilks Junior. son of a Scottish immigrant. hardware merchant in Baltimore. Died in 1859. yup, that's all I got, no detective here haha. im wondering if anyone here has any other examples from this merchant, I would love to see them. or by all means some more info would be great.
the finger holds are a bit small but nicely jimped top, bottom and in the hollows! very cool.




ps-sorry about the poor pics, ill try to get better ones tomorrow.....

James Wilks Jr, born 1799, died 1858, merchant Baltimore Maryland. Like you stated 1859 for the year of his death, i did come across that date as well but a newspaper clipping from 1858 announcing his death.


Nevertheless a very interesting razor for sure, double thump notch, never came across another one, more then likely from a Sheffield maker, but with a very early American connection, take good care of it!

Originally Posted by Martin103

James Wilks Jr, born 1799, died 1858, merchant Baltimore Maryland. Like you stated 1859 for the year of his death, i did come across that date as well but a newspaper clipping from 1858 announcing his death.


Nevertheless a very interesting razor for sure, double thump notch, never came across another one, more then likely from a Sheffield maker, but with a very early American connection, take good care of it!

thank you for that! I had actually found 1856, 1858, and 1859 in different places as his date of death! all seemed to be talking about the same merchant in Baltimore, I decided to go with the latest date, but a newspaper clipping is as sure a source as any.
I love the fact that the double notch is jimped as well as the tang top and bottom, very cool. very little wear on this beauty as well!

That's a cool razor. A lot of folks around this area of MD would be glad to get their hands on that as a local piece.

Originally Posted by Sandycrack

That's a cool razor. A lot of folks around this area of MD would be glad to get their hands on that as a local piece.

"....from my cold, dead hands......"

Originally Posted by silverloaf

"....from my cold, dead hands......"

HEHEHEHE

Originally Posted by Sandycrack

HEHEHEHE

juuuuust kidding! id be happy to send it down to let you try it out sometime. im a ways out from cleaning it up and honing it, too many ahead of it, but certainly when I do you will be the first to know!

I was watching that one on the 'Bay'...glad you got it. It is an intriguing piece. I can't wait to see it when you've finished it up.

Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

I was watching that one on the 'Bay'...glad you got it. It is an intriguing piece. I can't wait to see it when you've finished it up.

yeah, I was actually a little surprised to have won it, I figured it would go higher than my max. I had watched it all week and just decided to put my max bid in and walk away, let the snipes get it at the end. apparently the snipes didn't want it as much as I did, haha. very glad to have it!

Yes you did get it for a very fair price IMO...

I like the original scales as well and they appear to be in very 'restore-able' condition. Be sure to post it up when you've done your magic!