Thread: Paging John Barber Please!

I know this article. But why do you feel that I.Barber may not be John Barber? There is an example of the John Barber razor with classic stamp in this article.

I don't know - in White's 1833 trade directory I see these two different manufacturers. Could this Isaac correspond with the Bradfield Barber born in 1794? Curiously, the Isaac Barber razor manufacturer is no longer found listed alone as a razor mfr by 1849 (as far as I can find) when he is then listed as part of Isaac and James Barber springknife manufacturers in White's 1849 directory.

That's why I'm inclined to think there was an Isaac making razors at the same time as John - it also seems more logical to me than John sometimes abandoning his J. and his well-known trademark for a simple "I. Barber" especially since John Barber was well-known for their fine razors. It could be that he decided to stamp his cheaper models with I. Barber, but then the question still remains - how did Isaac Barber stamp his?

Isaac BARBER razor etc mfr. h. 3 Brocco Street White's 1833

John BARBER (& Son), merchants & manfrs. of razors, razor strops & table knives[/SIZE] 12 Norfolk Street White's 1833

but then the question still remains - how did Isaac Barber stamp his?

As I wrote above, may be, L D Englis.

Originally Posted by manah

As I wrote above, may be, L D Englis.

Does Schroeder say where this Barber was making razors? Sheffield?

Gentlemen,

The historical material you present is fascinating. Thank you for taking the time to research. Please keep it coming.

Regards,
Obie

Without words.
Here scan from B.Schroeder.

I wonder if the O(ld) and the (englis)H were rubbed away

interesting

O! It's very possibly.

Originally Posted by manah

The history have a lot mysteries.
From "History of Yorkshire", Jan.1822.



From "Post office directory of Sheffield", 1854.



But enough for 1834.
As I saw, usually John Barber marked his razors with his name and Masonic symbol.

I can add somewhat to our little list of clues from another Sheffield history link-but there is no definite answer to the question of whether these two Barbers were one and the same. From:

Spring Knife Cutlers man.

List of Sheffield Spring Knife Cutlers
BARBER, ISAAC. 38 New Meadow Street, Sheffield. Circa 1837.

Could Isaac Barber possibly have used the trademark: "The Old English Razor" which got cut in the article you kindly scanned? Finally, the letter I does not equal John. I lean toward Isaac Barber being his own man, and not a nom de plume of John Barber.

This thread was from quite a while ago, but I'm curious and can't tell just how conclusive it was. Here's one I came across, marked "I Barber" and "Patent Temperd Steel":



And a John Barber with nearly the same shape and markings.



Has it been concluded that I Barber is the same as John Barber? Any thoughts? Thanks!