Thread: Henry Robert Pearce

About a year or so ago, I purchased a 6/8 half-hollow by Henry Robert Pearce (shoulderless, French point, bone scales) from Taylors1000. It's a GREAT razor, but I've never come across any other razors by that manufacturer, and was wondering whether anyone has any info on the company, which was based in Sheffield.

The front of the blade is engraved:

Hollow Ground
Set Ready for Use

. . . but it shaves like a wedge, so I figure it's a half-hollow.

but where are the pictures

I don't know if it helps, but in the 21st June 1893 edition of the Commercial Gazette in the bankruptcy notices we have Wright & Wood, trading as H. R. Pearce & Sons from the Crown Works, Rockingham Street, Sheffield, as Cutlery Manufacturers was dissolved as a company due to debts, but that George Wright was to continue in business, trading as H. R. Pearce & Sons. The other partner was William Wood.

This implies that there was previously a company called H. R. Pearce, which became (from pics of other razor tangs I have seen) H. R. Pearce & son, then H. R. Pearce & Sons and which was dissolved or otherwise and the name acquired by Wright & Wood.

But when? And what time frame? Must pre-date 1893, 0bviously.

Regards,
Neil

H.R. Pearce was the successor to Wardrobe & Pearce, dissolved in 1871. Richard Wardrobe went off to be Wardrobe & Smith, while Henry Robert Pearce worked at Crown Cutlery Works until his son was old enough to join him. H.R. Pearce & Son was formed in 1889. Henry died in 1894, just after the company ended. His son, John Harry Pearce died in 1904.

(This is all from Tweedale's 2nd edition, and it doesn't mention Wright & Wood, which is odd)

Thanks for the information, gents. I'll try to get some photos up but it will be a few days.

A small update

According to Tweedale, Henry Robert Pearce was a relative of John Pearce, a razor maker in Angel Street/Snigg Hill whose only daughter Ann married Henry Hobson, son of cutlery merchant Edward Hobson, also of Snigg Hill. What the relationship was is unclear.

However, Richard Wardrobe and Henry Robert Pearce formed Wardrobe & Pearce c1862 and it was indeed dissolved as a partnership in 1871, Richard Hill going on to produce tool steel and HRH remaining as a cutler in West Street and Charlotte Street (1870s - 1880s) and Rockingham Lane (1890s) before dying in 1894.

However, from the bankruptcy lists we have Wright & Wood t/a H. R. Pearce & Son going bankrupt in 1893, the year before HRH died, so the acquisition of his company was some time previous to 1893.

There was a George Wright, furnace-man for the Wade Brothers in 1862 - could this be our George Wright? The other partner in Wright & Wood, t/a H R Pearce & Son was William White the younger. Indeed there was a William White & Co, table knife manufacturer born 1824. In 1881 there is a census listing for him at 288 Beet Street, profession 'manufacturer' with son William listed as 'manager' at age 21 - evidently this was William Wood the younger.

In the 1891 census Wood the younger is now listed as a traveller in hardware. In the 1911 census he is listed as a dealer in fishing tackle.

That gives a small window for George Wright and William Wood t/a H R Pearce & Son, ie after 1881 and before the bankruptcy of 1893.

One would have to have an approximate date for the razor to ascertain whether it was made in the days of Henry Robert Pearce of Wright & Wood...

Regards,
Neil