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Here is a mug I picked up at a store in a town near mine, for $2.00. I am very happy with it. It might be my new shaving mug, I dont know how to date these things or anything but it has some wear on it, like around the handle and on the bottom of the inside. It is marked D&C on the bottom in green.
picture so you can see the shape of the handle
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That is cool! Back in the day, Barbers had their customer's mug on the shelf with their name and sometimes, occupation on it! When the customer came in, he would be serviced with his own mug! I think this is an example of one. NICE!
What you've bought is called, amongst shaving mug collectors, a "decorative" mug. Without the slight floral work around the name, the mug would be considered a "gold name" shaving mug.
This shaving mug is an entry level mug, but is still collectible. Shaving mugs such as this often sell for more, usually in the $10-30 range. You've made a good buy at $2.00! Of course the slight crack in the handle reduces the value some - but not a big deal. There are even more elaborate decoratives that demand even more in price from collectors.
Often the name of the decorator and/ or the barber supply company will be found on the base of the mug. But just as often there will be nothing but a mark indicating the origin of the porcelain mug blank.
Even though you spent only $2.00 on this shaving mug remember, it is an antique. And even though shaving mugs similar to this one are fairly numerous, this particular shaving mug represents an individual who's name is painted on the mug. In that respect it is unique and irreplaceable. So, if you decide to use this mug for yourself, definitely be careful.
As far as date, your mug could have been decorated any time, roughly, between the late 1890's and possibly 1920. By about 1930, the art of decorated shaving mugs for barber shops was over.
Oh, BTW - antique barbershop shaving mugs are very interesting, and often beautiful, and also somewhat elusive - the better specimens demanding very high prices. Just a warning in case you get bitten. I, like you, started off with just one simple mug. Then..... !!!
Could be another AD!
And... the D&C mark on the bottom is a Limoges France mark - "Deliniers & Co." Most, if not all, of the blanks used for barber mugs came from the big porcelain producers out of France and Germany. And many of the china decorators were trained in Europe as well.
If interested send me the full name. Looks like Geo Rindfl???? and the town you found it in and I will do a little genealogical research. Send me a PM if you wish. I love the history.
Geo Rindfleisch, the town is addy washington, south of colville washington and north of spokane washington.
George A. Rindfleisch, born Dec 12, 1910 in Ohio( I think) died Spokane, Nov 10, 1995 . SS # 285-01-7889. Think his father was a RyR engineer in Cleveland.
Your local newspaper perhaps has an obit if you wish to look.
Enjoy this piece of history.
Thank you very much, I will keep it in my collection for a very long time, and I will contact the newspaper to get the obit and any information they can give me, It will be a jewel in my collection. I am a very historically wondered person, and I find this very interesting and I will look into it even more, and I will get back to you all with it.
what is an RyR engineer? I know in ohio they had alot of car factories...right?
Sorry for the abr. RyR is Rail Road
The reason I am not sure about Ohio is that there were two George Rindfleisch in Cleveland area and each born about the same time. THe SSI death index did say he got his SSI card in Ohio.
BTW:
Rindfleisch is the german word for beaf.
Very interesting what you are able to find out!
Congrats!