Thread: Charles Hehr Portland,Me. circa 1880

I work in Portland and live about 20 miles west of there. So I was really excited to add this to my growing collection. Etched on the blade is Charles Hehr Portland Me. I found Charles Hehr listed in the 1880 census as a cutler in Portland Maine. He is in the 1870 census in Rhode Island working as a cutler and gone by 1890. It seems to be somewhere between 1/4 hollow and a wedge. The blade is heavy and a 6/8+ in width. I can't wait to have it restored. Hey gssixgun check your mail.

That's a fine -looking razor, and it's always fun to find one with a local connection. Enjoy.

Is that razor made in ME, or was it like some of many that were imported by U.S. manufacturers from Deutschland?

I'm not sure if it was made in Maine. Charles Hehr was a cutler so he probably sold anything that was sharp. Knives, Scissors, Razors ,ect. I do not know if he was an artisen and worked from blanks or if he was just a salesman who marketed product. In the latter case he would have had someone else make the razor with his name on it. There are no makings on the tang to indicate the country of origin. The only info I've found is through ancestory.com.
If anyone has any thoughts or info I'd love to here.
Would it be useful if I added this to the razor data base?

I'm just wondering, not for any particular reason. I just recently discovered that the Geneva (Genco) razors were, for the most part, made right there in Geneva, NY. Just a little something to add to the knowledge base.

Hi! I just found one of these razors in my mothers things. Seems it's just like the one you have posted. I know it's been a long while since you posted. I am searching to find a price of this item. Do you happen to know? I hope you can help me! Thank you!!!

I sent a personal reply. Since we both live in Standish being able to see the razor would help.
Regards,
Karl

Charles Hehr was 'gone' by 1888 - he died of a heart attack after leaving the business and moving to New York:



It seems that the firm must have traded under its old name for a while and was run by others, because while Charles was busy having a heart attack in NY his old company's details were being recorded in the A - L list of Portland Businesses for 1888:



This shows that not only did Charles produce his own cutlery, but that he imported cutlery from abroad, so he could well have made razors.

Interestingly, about a decade earlier we have another company in Portland called Ulmer & Hehr, and these seem to have been quite a large concern. This is not only attested to by their adverts in trade journals, directories, etc, but they also had their own commemorative coins struck advertising their large range of razors and cutlery:



This ad, dated 1876, clearly shows that they made their own razors and also imported them. It does not say so, but the Hehr, in my opinion, is either Charles or a relative.

Regards,
Neil

NB: This is also an instance of the true use of the word "Warranted" as used at the end of the 19th century - 'every article warranted' means none other than everything is guaranteed.

You guys need to lay off of Glen - he has gardening to do lol