Thread: Joseph Rodgers & Sons - A query

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

And come to think of it, I've never seen a razor stamped 'Her Majesty'. I wonder if the thinking there was that it would be an insult to the Queen for a men's article to be made 'for' her?

We are not hirsute.

Originally Posted by manah

Jimmy, lets think logically.
There are/were many Rodgers families on the Sheffield land.
1. George Rodgers, 150 Broad Lane. In 1849, G. Rodgers was listed as a spring knife and razor manufacturer in Edward Street, with a house in Broad Lane.
2. George Rodgers & Company. This cutler advertised in the Sheffield directory of 1839.
3. John Rodgers & Sons. The name first appears in a Sheffield directory, 1849, as a table and spring knife manufacturer in Bridge Street.
An interesting sidelight is thrown on John Rodgers's history by a legal case, which was launched in about 1840 by Joseph Rodgers & Sons. The latter took Nowill to court for infringing its name by selling knives stamped "J.Rodgers & Sons", with V(crown)R. According to Joseph Rodgers & Sons, the firm of "John Rodgers & Sons" never existed.
4. Joseph Rodgers & Company. According to trade advertisement, this company was founded in 1800 (through that may refer to the granting of its "3436" trademark). The name doesn't appear in Sheffield directories until 1871, when the firm of Joseph Rodgers was listed as a spring knife manufacturer at No.29 Norfolk Street. In that directory it was described as "successor to John Rodgers & Sons".
5. R.Rodgers & Sons. This business, which was formed after the death of C.W.Rodgers in 1860, should not be confused with Richard Rodgers & Son. The "R" denotes Rhoda, who inherited the enterprise after the death of her husband.
6. Richard Rodgers & Sons. In 1841, Richard Henry Rodgers (aged 58) and his son of the same name (aged 20) were spring knife cutlers working in Porter Brook Yard.
7. William Rodgers.
8. James Rodgers - the Unwin & Rodgers trademark.
9. And Joseph Rodgers & Sons.
According to the form of your blade. I think, the Joseph Rodgers & Sons company is closer.
From Henry T.Lummus article:
"In 1821, Joseph Rodgers and Sons secured an appointment as cutlers to His Majesty King George IV, an honor which encouraged them to greater efforts and stimulated their competitors. About that time arose the practices of scoring the top and bottom of the tang with file-cuts or flutings to keep the fingers from slipping, and of stamping the initial of the sovereign (G R, which became WR on the accession of William IV in 1830, and VR when the reign of Queen Victoria began in 1837)".
So. Jimmy, I'm sure, your razor was made before 1821.

Following on from the LIST I was sent by Wullie; here are the maker's with Royal Lettering and crowns:

G(crown)R Allison (c1820-1830)
J. Brown W(crown)R (c1830-1837)
W(crown) R J.W. Brown & Co Columbia Work Sheffield (c1830-1837)
W(crown)R Butcher Sheffield (c1830-1837)
W(crown)R C. Congreaves patent American razor made from Naylor & Co’s celebrated steel (c1830-1837)
C. Congreaves W(crown)R (c1825-1865), Sheffield
G(crown)R Dudgeon (c1820-1830)
G(crown)Edwards (c1830-1837)
Eton (c1830-1837), W(crown)R Rogerson on blade
W(crown)R S. Frost Shear Steel (c1830-1837)
W&T Marsh W(crown)R (c1830-1837)
V(crown)R Marshes & Shepherd Pond Works Sheffield (c1837-1850)
W(crown)R WM. Nicholson (c1830-37)
W(crown)R Oates Refined Steel (c1830-1837)
W(crown)R Parkin’s Patent S. Ager’s Tristram India Steel (c1830-1837)
G(crown)R Rodgers Cutlers to His Majesty (c1820-1830)
W(crown)R James Rodgers Superior Cutlery (c1830-1837)
V(crown)R Joseph Rodgers & Sons Cutlers to their Majesties (c1837-1901), 6 Norfolk St, star and cross on back of tang
V(crown)R Rodgers Cutlers to Her Majesty Patent (c1837-1901), star and cross on back of tang
V(crown)R Joseph Rodgers & Sons Cutlers to Her Majesty Patent (c1837-1901), star and cross on back of tang
V(crown)R Rodgers Cutlers to Her Majesty Patent No. 6 Norfolk St (c1837-1901), star and cross on back of tang
W(crown)R Rogerson (c1830-1837), Eton on tang
W(crown)R Tillotson Sheffield (c1830-1837), ‘Far West Hunting Knife’ on blade
V(crown)R Thomas Turner & Co Sheffield/Encore T. Turner Best Steel/Turner & Co Cutlers to Her Majesty (c1834-1901), Sheffield
Van Vakt & Naylor W(crown)R (c1830-1837)
Wade, Wingfield and Rowbothham Sheffield (c1825-1858), No 82 Trenter St. Sheffield, crown and Harps on back of tang, small blade marked Wade, Wingfield & Rowbotham Sheffield
G(crown)R Warner (c1820-1830)
George Wostenholm W(crown)Celebrated Improved Cutlery (c1832-1837), Rockingham Works, Sheffield

It would appear most are W(crown) R (William IV). Interestly, Thomas turner & Co i listed with V crown R and 'cutlers to her majesty'. Time to keep a good eye me thinks.

postmastergeneral, the question by Jimmy was about Rodgers, but not about the makers with Royal Lettering and crowns stamps.

Alex this stub tail Rodgers Cast Steel ..... do you 'know' whether it is a Joseph Rodgers ? IIRC there were other Rodgers making razors that early.

Sorry, replied to the wrong thread

Here's a "Rodgers G(crown)R" stub tail that I recently finished restoring and is posted in the Restoration Sub-Forum:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...-stubtail.html

First, I think this is a quite relevant thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-warrants.html

And second, here's two of mine. Joseph Rodgers, Cutlers to their majesties, VR:



and George Rodgers VR:

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

First, I think this is a quite relevant thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-warrants.html

And second, here's two of mine. Joseph Rodgers, Cutlers to their majesties, VR:



and George Rodgers VR:

I love the Norfolk Lane dodge!

Originally Posted by postmastergeneral

Hi
Slightly catching the bug here, I've just purchased my 2nd vintage SR, the first being a John Heiffor with ivory scales and a lovely restored Wade & Butcher. I came across the manufacturer Joseph Rodgers & Sons. For now, i'm interested in vintage English razors as I come from the UK. I was wanting to know if the
below logo appears on any of their razors? I'm particulary interested in the VR (Queen Victoria) cypher and the words 'cutlers to her majesty' as well as the Maltese Cross (used to cancel the very first postage stamps 1d penny blacks). Seeing several on eBay they all say 'cutlers to their majesties'. After reading some more info online I learnt that the monarchs they covered were GIVR, WIVR, VR, EVIIR and GVR all of which had royal warrants for their cutlery. I would also like to know if anyone knows of any other razors which contain Royal Insignia on them, especially VR. Thanks
Attachment 104075

I've a wee Harrison Brothers & Howson with VR stamped and the Joseph Rogers I had also had it if I remember. Warrants on goods tend to move around different manufacturers from monarch to monarch, queen mother, prince of Wales etc. All can dish out warrants.

What about ROGERS? (no D)

I have a Joseph Rodgers stamped WR 'cutlers to Their majesties'