Thread: Value?

Folks,

I've got a set of straight razors that belonged to my great grandfather. They've been collecting dust on my desk for a while, and it occurred to me that they might be worth something. Thought I'd see what the experts around here have to say...

They're in a rather dilapidated leather case bearing my ggf's initials. Once opened, you find 7 razors, each bearing the name of a day of the week on the spine. There's a red satin lining to the roof of the box bearing the name Joseph Rodgers & Sons - Cutlers to Her Majesty. Interestingly, the razors themselves say "Cutlers to Their Majesties" not "Her Majesty."

Anyway, I'm curious whether these are a "nice keepsake" or the razor equivalent of a Mickey Mantle signed baseball or something...

Thanks,
-Benha

We need pictures of some kind in order to eventually give some info about the history of the blades.

As a side note, Joseph Rodgers & Sons are excellent razors and very well known.

welcome to srp,

we don't do appraisals here, but these are nice razors.
joseph rodgers was one of the largest manufacturers, so they're probably not particularly rare.

they're probably still very useful, but if you don't have an interest in using them, they may still be a nice heirloom to keep.

Originally Posted by benha

There's a red satin lining to the roof of the box bearing the name Joseph Rodgers & Sons - Cutlers to Her Majesty. Interestingly, the razors themselves say "Cutlers to Their Majesties" not "Her Majesty."

At the time the razor was made there could have been either a king or queen as monarch, and I'd guess that the title "Their Majesties" refers to both monarch and spouse at the time.

Originally Posted by commiecat

At the time the razor was made there could have been either a king or queen as monarch, and I'd guess that the title "Their Majesties" refers to both monarch and spouse at the time.

Victoria was a widow by the time those were manufactured. I'm not an expert but I maybe their majesties was out of respect and/or tradition in her case

Originally Posted by commiecat

At the time the razor was made there could have been either a king or queen as monarch, and [..]

About this topic see HERE.

Manah's post just says that between 1837 and 1901, they used "their Majesties" at some point. If the razor was made between 1840 and 1861 then Victoria would have been married and that would explain "their" -- which would also make sense if Manah's post was chronological. If it was after that then I suppose it would have been out of respect.

Or it could also be that they were cutlers to several different monarchs. So "their" would be the collective of rulers who previously used JR&S as royal cutlers.

There is a whole article on Wikipedia about royal titles and I'm royally confused after trying to read it.

Every late-model Rodgers I've seen reads "their majesties"

I've never seen a Rodgers read "her majesty"

I believe that may be something present on penknives...

Originally Posted by blueprinciple

most makers who held Royal Appointments (I.e. Rodgers) of course made the most of it and a dating tip is that if it says 'Cutlers to their Majesties' it was certainly Victorian and very likely predates the death of Prince Albert - the firms dropped the word 'their' sometime after and in fact I have NEVER seen one struck 'cutlers to HER majesty' (i.e. Victoria) - you have to remember that Victoria was by far the most powerful figure in the World at that time and they didn't dare risk offending her as suggesting she may have had need for a razor would have been considered extremely vulgar! They started putting 'cutlers to His Majesty' on post-1901 as the new King was then of course Edward, but the practice of striking the tang 'GR' 'WR' etc had by then been dropped.

Originally Posted by manah

Just Joseph Rodgers made razors 1837-1901 with stamps:
"Rodgers Cutlers to Her Majesty Patent"
"Joseph Rodgers & Sons to Her Majesty Patent"
"Rodgers Cutlers to Her Majesty No 6 Norfolk St."
"Rodgers Cutlers to Her Majesty" - 1837-1890.

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

Thanks!

Do you have a photo example?

Originally Posted by manah

No, I did not see such razor . Though I read about it in many sources. But saw penknife.
Penknives are not strongly necessary to the queen too.=)

Never forget the Royal 'We'.

Good to see you've got that Multiquote up and running, hoglahoo. All I have to do is find a use for it now. If this post does not make sense, please ignore.