Thread: Presentation Set Joseph Rodgers & Sons Star & Cross Razor. Silver Jubilee 1835

I am in a position to acquire a presentation set of Joseph Rodgers & Sons Star & Cross Razors. Silver Jubilee 1835. There are seven in a leather case each in its own compartment showing Sunday through to Saturday. There are two crests on the leather wrap, one showing "Silver Jubilee 1835" and the other "City of London Lodge", they were obviously commissioned for a Masonic Lodge.

The razors appear to be unused but showing the signs of age but easily restorable, they are still as sharp as they day they were made and show no signs of being honed. The scales appear to be made of ivory.

Problem is, I have no idea of their value and no idea as to what would be a sensible offer.

Any ideas?

Thanks

David

Hi, Briggers, and welcome to SRP!
We don't openly discuss the value of razors here, if only for the fact that one member may place more value on an item than another member, leading to confusion and possible animosity. Discussing value via PM is totally OK.
That being said, they are fine looking blades, and Rodgers & Sons are known for their quality workmanship.
See you in the trenches, buddy!

Check eBay for finished 7 day set auctions and that should give you a good idea

Originally Posted by Castel33

Check eBay for finished 7 day set auctions and that should give you a good idea

+1 for Castel's advice. Valuation can be a very tricky thing and as MLA said it isn't something we get into in the forums here. PM coming in a minute.

I think the person offering them to you is being misleading. Those razors are from 1935 not 1835 (the profile portrait is King George V and Mary of Teck), the one blade in close-up has most definitely been honed, and unless I'm mistaken, those are collared pins which strongly suggest celluloid, not ivory.

That said, it's still a very neat set. I'd definitely jump on it using the suggestion of checking completed eBay listings, just bear in mind what I said about when it was made and what the scales are.

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

I think the person offering them to you is being misleading. Those razors are from 1935 not 1835 (the profile portrait is King George V and Mary of Teck), the one blade in close-up has most definitely been honed, and unless I'm mistaken, those are collared pins which strongly suggest celluloid, not ivory.

That said, it's still a very neat set. I'd definitely jump on it using the suggestion of checking completed eBay listings, just bear in mind what I said about when it was made and what the scales are.

I have just checked and the date is indeed 1935, on checking the scales there appears to be longitudinal graining which would suggest that the are not celluloid - the colour in the images is misleading.

Thanks for your help guys.

Originally Posted by Briggers

I have just checked and the date is indeed 1935, on checking the scales there appears to be longitudinal graining which would suggest that the are not celluloid - the colour in the images is misleading.

Thanks for your help guys.

If the pins have collars 99 times out of 100 they are celluloid. Many celluloid scales were made with a longitudinal graining to simulate genuine ivory. That would be a nice set for a shaver who honed his own and wouldn't get bored shaving with the same razors all of the time. One of the drawbacks of the 7 day set...... unless the shaver is alright with that.

Are not Ivory.Ivory never yellows like that,But some people that sell Ivory Netsuki,can age new Ivory to look like that.
All it takes is a box and a tray with burning tobacco.

Just done a hot pin test, they are celluloid :-(

Originally Posted by Briggers

Just done a hot pin test, they are celluloid :-(

It's still a lovely set with an interesting history, and being Joseph Rodgers they'll almost certainly hone up beautifully.