Info Request for Mother-of-Pearl razor!

Hello Everyone,

As a means of introduction, I am a longtime collector of and full-time dealer in exceptionally fine and advanced quality American Civil War artifacts (which on occasion can, of course, include certain significant straight razors). That having been said, I've also developed a very keen eye and appreciation for any and all historical material that I may encounter in the course of pursuing said Civil War items.

Such was the case at a recent auction where I bought a lifetime collection of very early straight razors, most dating from the late 18th century to the first part of the 19th century. I also purchased in a separate lot a PAIR of simply magnificent straight razors that I believe to be from a somewhat later period of the 19th century.

Based on the etchings on their respective blades, I have named them the "Peace" and "Fame" razors. It is these razors that I wish to share with your community in the hope of obtaining some information about them. As I am essentially starting from scratch, any and all commentary will be most welcome and much appreciated. I have attached some photos of just ONE SIDE of the "Peace" razor.

Aside from an affixed narrow silver name plate, the handles are made entirely of highly carved and decoratively pinned Mother-of-Pearl, with incised engraving as well as finely executed bas relief renderings. The blade is stamped IMPROVED SILVER STEEL and is handsomely etched as shown with various motifs. On a horizontal axis along the entire top margin are the Latin words "Multum In Parvo" which translates to "Much In Little."

Thank you all in advance for your kind assistance and for providing this superb website.

Bossrelic
Jim Frasca

Hello Jim,

Some beatiful razors, indeed! Lovely pique work. You might find some info here - if not, why not enrol there and ask - someone may be able to help.

Regards,
Neil

Usually razors like that are considered more collectors razors rather than users razors. Without some makers name or mark there probably isn't much we can tell you and of course you know we can't discuss value.

However it is a nice scale.

Welcome to SRP. I've never seen a more beautifully decorated razor. I couldn't begin to guess who made them but they are obviously of the highest quality. Great score.

Those are the nicest MOP scales I have ever seen. Very detailed carving - looks great!

Thanks, Jimmy. The scales (very hard not to write "handles" here) of both razors are identical, left and right, save for the narrow silver name plate that is just on one side of each razor. The IMPROVED SILVER STEEL stamping is on both blades but the etched motifs on the blade of the "Fame" razor are different from those on the "Peace" razor pictured here.

Take care,
Jim

I agree completely with John. I've only seem carved MOP scales like that in pictures in books and online, but nothing that incredibly intricate and nice. Usually, they're also broken, chipped, or discolored. Really beautiful, thanks for sharing the photos.

Looking at similar blade and tang shapes in Ritchie and Stewart's "Standard Guide to Razors" 3rd ed, it looks very similar to a Joseph Rodgers razor on the bottom of page 65 made between 1830 - 1840. Rodgers certainly did work of this quality level, so it may be a Joseph Rodgers.

In the same book, a chart on page 73 states that the "Silver Steel" mark started around 1820. Ornate blade etching started around 1830. Patriotic themes started around 1820. Carved handles started around 1820. Manufacturer's markings started around 1830.

Making a leap and bracketing these indicators listed in the book (I'm no expert, this book is my only printed dating reference), probably late 1820s - early 1830s? The tail isn't a "stub" like the early 1800's, or absent like in the late 1700s. But it isn't as long as the razors I do have from the 1840s-50s.

Taking a fresh look at Robert Doyle's "Collecting Straight Razors"(out of print) I note that silver steel was invented in 1820 by Michael Faraday. The practice of etching full across the face of the blade became popular beginning around 1830. Finally the slight curve of the scales would also indicate a post 1820 mfg. This is according to the Doyle book. It is really a shame that the maker's name wasn't stamped on the tang. The workmanship is obviously impeccable. Doyle says that very few pearl handled razors from that era have survived due to the delicate nature of the material. I can testify that in years of seeing them on ebay I've seen very few and fewer with no cracks.

Thank you, Tim & Jimmy, for your referencing the two razor collecting books. Other than finding bits and pieces from them online, I had no access to them. I did see where silvered steel had been invented rather early but thought that the use of the word "IMPROVED" might indicate a later date of manufacture. As time permits, I'll add more photographs to this thread, plus measurements and other pertinent information relevant to both razors. It's a shame that the gorgeous spectral sheen of the Mother of Pearl just doesn't convey very well in an image. These really must be seen in person to be truly appreciated. Thanks again for your interest.

Jim

Wow, that is one beautiful razor and scale! I bet this belonged to a somebody.

Pabster

Defenatly not something that would be found in my collection HAHA. Absolutly beautiful, I'd be scared to use it and break it :(

Absolutely Gorgeous! They may have been made for a very wealthy client or even Royalty.

Real beauties-very, very rare to see MOP carved and decorated in such detail. You are probably one of the few men in the world who has a razor like this. No way to ID the maker that I know of, except that they had to be custom made for a wealthy individual.

Gentlemen:

The artwork on the razor is exquisite. Yet I cannot help but wonder about the story behind such a razor.

Regards,
Obie

Hello again everyone,

Here are some fresh photographs of the OPPOSITE side of the "Peace" razor, but taken with the lighting angled from another position to better contrast and enhance the color and luminosity.

Most interesting is the close-up interior view of the scales, revealing the metal substructure and illustrating how it and the end bolster were painstakingly cut to follow the rounded contours of the relief carved Mother-of-Pearl.

Once again, I’d like to thank all of you for your kind commentary and warm welcome. Should anyone request it, I'll be happy to submit photos of the companion "Fame" razor here as well.

Bossrelic

Jim Frasca

That is really a stunning razor! WOW!

If you haven't already, putting those two razors in to the SRP Razor Database would be great!

That is simply beautiful...don't see craftsmanship like that anymore!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen:

The artwork on the razor is exquisite. Yet I cannot help but wonder about the story behind such a razor.

Regards,
Obie

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My thoughts exactly, Obie. Those razors were definitely owned by someone of extreme wealth and probable fame. Those scales show amazing craftmanship by today's standards and to think that somebody created those decades ago just fills me with curiosity.

Excellent images and I truly hope that the Bossrelic keeps those razors either for his collection of Civil War artifacts or for those once-per-year special-occasion shaves.

Hi,

Per the wise suggestion that some photographs of this razor be placed in the SRP database, here is a set of four images that are a bit more organized and sequential. Whoever wishes to navigate these photos to the proper area certainly has my permission to do so.

Bossrelic

Jim Frasca

I'm again just left speechless by how beautiful this razor is. Thanks again for posting these photos. It just glows. It may even levitate when you're not looking. :eek:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bossrelic

I'll be happy to submit photos of the companion "Fame" razor here as well.

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Yes, pretty please!!!

Ha! Ha! Thanks, Tim!

Will do, Gugi!

Nice razor!!!

I'm curious to see if anyone has any photos of a razor marked with the same "improved silver steel" and is also marked with any brand or manufacturer's name other than Joseph Rodgers. I've only found one such on the web, but it was of a much later date than this