Thread: I. Pearce Ab Gibralter St

The "I" is the latin version of "J" -so we are talking about the firm of John Pearce which was at 33 Gibraltar Street in the 1820s. Note that "ab" is also latin, for "of" in this case .

The firm moved to 15 Angel Street in 1836, so your razor is from before this date.

It is easy to cofuse this Pearce with others as the name was common, possibly familial, in the area at this time, including booksellers, butchers, surgeons, etc, several of whom reside in Gibraltar Street.

The inlaid crown is not uncommon, signifying either a royal warrant or appointment but most often used as a 'warranted' or guarantee mark. This razor was part of a matched set - numer 1. Sets at this time were often just a pair, though 4 piece sets and 7 day sets were common.

Like Jimmy said, it is a Sheffield piece and the handle material is cow horn. The inlays were sometimes heated and melted their way into the thermoplastic horn, whereas the larger escutcheons and shields had small pins on tbe back.

Pearce was a good maker. Your razor is quite special as far as I am concerned!

Regards,
Neil