Filarmonicas Imperial Alliance?

[bonitomio]

I managed to find some very early Filarmonicas:- No 14 Especial.
The grind is full hollow singing blade, just like a Barbas Duras.
This is not a Barbas Duras. It just says Filarmonica Especial on the blade.
The stamping on the tang doesn´t mention the model unlike the Double Temple, Sub cero etc.
They also have a distinctly different goldwash pattern on the blade. On this example the goldwash was all but warn off and the blade etching is barely visible to the eye. I did some light hand polishing before taking these photos.



What really caught my eye was the stamp on the box. It says:- "Navaja Filarmonica de Afeitar ESPECIAL de José Monserrat Póu. Fabricante desde el año 1917."
It ALSO has a stamp of a spread eagle facing left, with 5 feathers per wing and 5 tail feathers. This is very interesting as it is EXACTLY the same stamp used by the Richard Schmidt No 14 IMPERIAL razor from Germany.



Both razors have virtually identical designs, weight etc, however the IMPERIAL is not a singing razor. I find this use of the same monogram and resemblance hard to put down as a coincidence. However I have as yet not found out any more information on a possible connection between the two marks.

If you have any info on these please post here............

"Inquiring minds have got to know."

[Mcbladescar]

nice ... drooling a lil ....find

[bonitomio]

Some additional photos of the original etching and gold wash of the Filarmonica No 14 Especial - the really rusted model is mine but the other isn´t:-



Photo of the typical Filarmonica etching and goldwash:-

[AllanGray]

Great finds! Those are very old Filarmónicas prior to 1967.

I don't know if there was any connection between Filarmónica and Richard Schmidt
but I know Filarmónica made one razor named Imperial.
The Especial were probably the first Filarmónicas.

[holli4pirating]

I once had an Imperial 14 with the same stamp as the OP's shows on the back of the razor. I always thought she shaved and looked like a Filly.




I, for one, strongly believe that Filarmonica blades appear under a number of other brands. Some agree; others do not. I think this is a very strong suggestion that they did.

[AllanGray]

holli4pirating that is very interesting... Solingen brands?

There were Jose Monserrat Pou Imperial and Especial razors (without Filarmónica stamped, before the creation of the Filarmónica brand) and Filarmónica Imperial and Especial razors.

[bonitomio]

Awesome guys!!
Thanks so much for this information and photos. Just what I was hoping for :
I was thinking the same thing that Imperial was another brand manufactured by Jose Monserrat Pou.

If you have more info and photos please throw them up here.
I will try to find similar razors and will post photos here for everyones benefit but when dealing with antiques you just never know.
I intend to hit the libraries here (in Barcelona) to see if I can dig up some history on Señor Pou and Filarmonica in general.

It is also interesting to note the different scales used for these razors and the more modern Filarmonicas. They are a very solid heavy plastic when compared to other scales. I think they are bakelite but I haven´t tested them yet. They could also be a resin type plasic according to hill_thrill :- eBay Guides - A HILL THRILL GUIDE HOW TO TEST FOR BAKELITE PLASTIC

[celticcrusader]

I'm waiting on a 14 FILARMONICA ESPECIAL JOSE MONSERRAT POU with the very same markings including the winged Eagle, I have a picture of the razor and the original case I'm thinking pre 1950s or 1960s, I will put up some pictures when the razor arrives the razor looks in fantastic condition as no hone wear a full 25mm 8/8 blade, I noticed the scales pinning and the Filarmonica logo seem to be of a better quality than I've come to expect from most Filarmonics.

Jamie.

[bonitomio]

Now its my turn to drool

[kiwichris]

I know this is an old thread but I have just taken delivery of a #14 Imperial "Extra" razor. It has the same eagle marking on the back of the blade it as yours Allan.

See below ...