Thread: George Wostenholm I XL - Anyone know the history?

Recently purchased this George Wostenholm I XL 5/8 and I am really interested in a razors history - but I know nothing about this one. I am looking in particular for an approximate age, but any info is appreciated.

Has an interesting etching on the blade - very shallow and fine, nearly invisible. It depicts two hands shaking surrounded on all sides by banners which read "The Americans Give the Right Hand of Fellowship to All Nations and Own An Universal Brotherhood"
I have to admit I chuckled - it actually says "An".. maybe it was proper English at the time?

The tang/shank reads:
G. Wostenholm & Son
I-XL Sheffield Eng

nothing on the back side, which was kind of interesting..
I also know that it has been restored, and the pins are new

Like I said, any info is appreciated!

GEORGE WOSTENHOLM & SON
Successors to George Wostenholm in 1823 ("Old Sheffield Razors" by Lummus. Antiques, December 1922 p.261-267)
Rockingham Works ca. 1694 - 1847
Washington Works, Sheffield ca. 1847 - at least 1991

Straight Razor Manufacturers and Dates of Operation

Not sure I follow.. since I dont have those pages.. but also there is no conclusion.. I get that the company became Wostenholm & Son in 1823, but when did they stop making razors? more applicable to my case: when was this model made? Don't know if that's asking too much, I'm just a very curious fellow

What you have is a very general brief description of the maker, as to when the business was started under that name. You will have to use the bits of info to learn more about the company. As far as that particular model date, I have no idea. You can obtain that book, not easy, & maybe more info is there. What I gave you, is all I have, I'm sorry.

If I have time this weeekend , I will use my "GOOGLE Fu" and try to find us more.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

What you have is a very general brief description of the maker, as to when the business was started under that name. You will have to use the bits of info to learn more about the company. As far as that particular model date, I have no idea. You can obtain that book, not easy, & maybe more info is there. What I gave you, is all I have, I'm sorry.

If I have time this weeekend , I will use my "GOOGLE Fu" and try to find us more.

That's awesome! Thanks so much for the help. I did a little more research, and I've at least isolated it to post 1891 because it say Sheffield Eng rather than just Sheffield. In 1891 the Madrid trade accords were signed which allowed international protection of trade marks but in order to qualify it had to be registered to the country of origin which had to be on the object.

George Wostenholm & Son, Sheffield.

Manah's extensive history applies to razors.

If you were to show all the knives that company made along with the razors, that web page would be 5 times as big.

Wullie, if you're interested in Wostenholm knives, ask.
Possibly, I can find some of them in the Wostenholm catalogs.

Originally Posted by manah

George Wostenholm & Son, Sheffield.

Yeah I found your page during my research! Really impressive collection manah. Have you seen this razor in the catalog? Dieing to know its age

My very novice and subject to correction guess would be 1892 to 1914....