I recently acquired a 1906 Gillette Single Ring set with script logo complete with shipper and instructions. I paid much more than I usually would for a Single Ring set, but this one had the original shipper whose serial number matches with that of the razor and the original instruction booklet to go with it. This is one of those sets with the unusual tapered case and a black leather lid liner instead of velvet making it an all black case. Similar sets with the script logo, tapered case and leather liner have been discussed here and here.
The patina on the razor was nice & even and I had second thoughts about cleaning it up. But since this razor is as close to mint one can get for something that's 107 years old, I decided to clean the razor up anyway to take it back to its glory days. Just one soak in aluminum foil + baking soda + boiling hot water followed by light polishing with a silver polish brought the original silver plating to life!
The complete set:
Close up of just the razor set:
Blade containers and the case strap with the closure button. Unfortunately no blades on this set, but notice the Gillette script logo in the closure button:
Close-up of the shipper:
There are a couple of interesting things about this shipper. Firstly, King Gillette's face is oriented towards the right side which is unusual. King Gillette's face is oriented to the left in most of the blade wrappers and shippers. Secondly, below the King Gillette signature in the bottom, you'll notice that King Gillette's designation is shown as "Vice President". In most other sets, Mr. Gillette's designation is shown as "President". However his "Vice President" designation in this shipper should not be a surprise as Gillette was actually a Vice President in his company in the year 1906. The "Vice President" in this shipper corroborates what is already documented in the Gillette timeline. For reference, here is another shipper from a later period where Gillette's face is oriented to the left and his designation is "President" http://www.mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Old Type/1912 Pocket Edition No 500A.jpg
Close-up of the shipper flap, showing the description and "Triple Silver Plate". The other flap unfortunately is missing.
Matching serial number 653404 between the shipper and the razor:
Front cover of the instruction booklet:
Last page of the instruction booklet showing the exact same razor set with tapered case and leather interior:
Rear cover of the instruction booklet showing a Gillette factory:
It's very rare that the shipper for a 107 year old razor set would survive to this date. But survive it did, and I'm quite happy to add a razor set with the oldest shipper (for me) in to my collection. Now I can only hope I score a complete Double Ring set with shipper!
The patina on the razor was nice & even and I had second thoughts about cleaning it up. But since this razor is as close to mint one can get for something that's 107 years old, I decided to clean the razor up anyway to take it back to its glory days. Just one soak in aluminum foil + baking soda + boiling hot water followed by light polishing with a silver polish brought the original silver plating to life!
The complete set:
Close up of just the razor set:
Blade containers and the case strap with the closure button. Unfortunately no blades on this set, but notice the Gillette script logo in the closure button:
Close-up of the shipper:
There are a couple of interesting things about this shipper. Firstly, King Gillette's face is oriented towards the right side which is unusual. King Gillette's face is oriented to the left in most of the blade wrappers and shippers. Secondly, below the King Gillette signature in the bottom, you'll notice that King Gillette's designation is shown as "Vice President". In most other sets, Mr. Gillette's designation is shown as "President". However his "Vice President" designation in this shipper should not be a surprise as Gillette was actually a Vice President in his company in the year 1906. The "Vice President" in this shipper corroborates what is already documented in the Gillette timeline. For reference, here is another shipper from a later period where Gillette's face is oriented to the left and his designation is "President" http://www.mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Old Type/1912 Pocket Edition No 500A.jpg
Close-up of the shipper flap, showing the description and "Triple Silver Plate". The other flap unfortunately is missing.
Matching serial number 653404 between the shipper and the razor:
Front cover of the instruction booklet:
Last page of the instruction booklet showing the exact same razor set with tapered case and leather interior:
Rear cover of the instruction booklet showing a Gillette factory:
It's very rare that the shipper for a 107 year old razor set would survive to this date. But survive it did, and I'm quite happy to add a razor set with the oldest shipper (for me) in to my collection. Now I can only hope I score a complete Double Ring set with shipper!
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