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Score ! Another Keller added to the family :)
I have been know several times to be very particular to a quite rare brand of razors, "G. Keller Paris".
As I was a newbie on my real first "hunt for a treasure" in the well known "Puces de St Ouen" (biggest antiques market in the world), a turf I roam anytime I am in Paris and looking for exceptional pieces (worked 3 times regarding razors now :) ), you can imagine that I was a bit lost.
Granted I had a few indicators. CVH, Puma, Solingen razors, and I've seen some, but expensive as hell, half destroyed, etc... There is such a flow of tourists in the place the sellers don't care on the prices and what they sell, there will always be a buyer.
But what I was really looking for was a Nogent blade, which are the first blades where the French got their shit together and could at least compete with the British. Yet, I did not know at the time how to identify a Nogent blade.
And I could not shake a feeling. Asking around, i found, at the back of a drawer, a pair with no other indication than "G. Keller, Pars". That were the first razors I had seen that day. Come on, mahogany and aluminium, it felt 1900 like... At the time it would be equivalent to gold and ivory... Either it was a treasure or trash...
Long story short, I bought only one because I was I was moving and wanting for cash at the time, could post a photo, and... Was severely told that such a pair should not be separated, because it was high end Nogent with the stamp of a famed silversmith.
The photo as posted that day
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Not NOS. But damn well preserved. And you may be happy to hear that both are now together, have been restored by a pro, and are the absolute best shavers of my rotation.
And, having seen other pieces they've made, be it razors or other things, I've learnt to identify (even from far or in a tv show) and love the signature.
And never hid it.
And lo, I got a tip from a friend this morning (who also happens to have a gorgeous one).
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That's the Keller signature for you, function dictating shape (among other things Keller has been described as a precursor of the "design"), and a bit of art nouveau style (original wooden scales are scarce at that time).
I have doubts on the scales, I don't think they are the original ones. Still, until I find better (I am thinking tortoise in the usual bean shape as seen on the first picture), they will do nicely.
Happy happy !