Are safety razor boxes collectables?

[TheWiseFool]

I came across this set and still haven't decided to take it...the razor seems like your typical run of the mill, Gillette #3. The box however...I can't find a picture of anything similar ANYWHERE...and that's saying something. It has the Gillette diamond logo in the bottom right corner and a very worn out Gillette inside on the top. Is this set worth picking up? for $30-50ish?

 

[MacDaddy]

It looks like a British No. 44 set case (below) that someone's stuck an applique onto. Just as it sits, I'd probably give it a pass at those prices, personally.

 

[alex2363]

Big time pass, you can get a complete set for that.

 

[Copierguy]

Welcome to B&B.

 

[mr-razor]

like this

 

[Mick]

Looks like a tech head in there to me (safety bar head).

Mismatched and modified.

 

[jbradley]

Fairly modern Tech head also, it has Gillette embossed on it.

 

[Hoos]

There may be people who collect only the boxes for safety razors, but I haven't run across anyone that specialized. Most collectors ideally want the original razor in its original case and, even better with the original papers and shipper. That doesn't mean that there aren't any safety razor box collectors (there are folks who collect boxes). Or that you can't be the first, for that matter.

As far as I know, Gillette never made a case that had that kind of design on it. I've also never seen an original Gillette case with an applique of any kind on the exterior. (If it is an applique. It looks like one from the photo.)

Given that, without that anchor decoration, it's a fairly common razor and case in fair/good condition, $30-$50 seems awfully steep. Perhaps if it were new old stock. Even then, I might not invest that much.

All of the above is from the POV of someone who has been there. I still have things in my collection that I thought (or do think) were unique and probably paid too much for. But upon spending a lot of time and a lot of research, you usually find out that it's either not what you think it is or it's not that rare after all. There's also the uncertainty factor. Other people have owned/used/sold these razors over decades, and things can happen with them - mismatched handles/heads/cases. Along with people's desire to decorate. (Although I will say that, with the military sets, I do prefer the ones that have the service members name or number written or engraved on them. Just gives it a little more historical interest, IMHO.)

 

[TheWiseFool]

like this

That's definitely the box. I guess I took a wrong approach to research and assumed a proper full set. Guess I don't know my safety razors just yet. I appreciate all the help. Started looking for some usable collectables and I've seen a few mismatches already but I've missed this one.

 

[jbradley]

Hope I'm not hijacking this thread, but what about these boxes? They are both Gillette. I can't find the first anywhere, the second is a presentation.


The top of this case says "COMPLIMENTS OF EIGHTY & NICHOLSON TOBACCO CO LTD MANUFACTURERS OF HIGH GRADE TOBACCOS CHARLOTTETOWN P.E.I."

 

[MacDaddy]

The first one is actually one of Gillette's "The 50" boxes, but someone seems to have refashioned it into a razor case with a new interior. It would have originally come filled with packs of blades and not had any of that teal and green stuff in it. Here's an ad that pictures it:

The other is a "give-away" set that would have been ordered by the company with their inscription to give to their customers. You'll see lots of these personalized sets for different companies -- hotels and banks were particularly popular, but you'll see things like manufacturing companies of all different sorts. A quick bit of googling suggests that what you think says "EIGHTY" actually says "HICKEY." Hickey & Nicholson was a tobacco company in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Here's a couple of old tins of theirs:



And according to the City of Charlottetown's Web site, this building was once their factory and has since been turned into housing:

 

[jbradley]

The first one is actually one of Gillette's "The 50" boxes, but someone seems to have refashioned it into a razor case with a new interior. It would have originally come filled with packs of blades and not had any of that teal and green stuff in it. Here's an ad that pictures it:

The other is a "give-away" set that would have been ordered by the company with their inscription to give to their customers. You'll see lots of these personalized sets for different companies -- hotels and banks were particularly popular, but you'll see things like manufacturing companies of all different sorts. A quick bit of googling suggests that what you think says "EIGHTY" actually says "HICKEY." Hickey & Nicholson was a tobacco company in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Here's a couple of old tins of theirs:

View attachment 307055

And according to the City of Charlottetown's Web site, this building was once their factory and has since been turned into housing:

View attachment 307056

Thanks Porter! Kind of neat to know the history. I have never heard of "The 50 Box" until now. The liner in it keeps trying to fall out, now I know why! I may see if I can get all that junk out and store my blades in it.

And you're right, I didn't think Eighty made much sense, but couldn't make it out.

 

[72plymsatellite]

like this

yea i posted this in the "time to play... name that haul" sticky...... yesterday........... no respect, no respect at all. lol

 

[mr-razor]

The first one is actually one of Gillette's "The 50" boxes, but someone seems to have refashioned it into a razor case with a new interior. It would have originally come filled with packs of blades and not had any of that teal and green stuff in it. Here's an ad that pictures it:

I´ve this Fifty Blade Box with NEW blades:

 

[jbradley]

That's just cool. The add says "Every time he shaves in 1929", implying the 50 blades should last 51 weeks, since the razor would have a blade in it. About a week a blade is what I get now. We hear the quality is worse or better, but it seems to be about the same. Or am I assuming something that I shouldn't?

 

[MacDaddy]

yea i posted this in the "time to play... name that haul" sticky...... yesterday........... no respect, no respect at all. lol

Well, in fairness we'd already answered it here in this thread a day and a half earlier.

That's just cool. The add says "Every time he shaves in 1929", implying the 50 blades should last 51 weeks, since the razor would have a blade in it. About a week a blade is what I get now. We hear the quality is worse or better, but it seems to be about the same. Or am I assuming something that I shouldn't?

Men were just more manly back then. The fact that you had a blade at all and weren't just pulling your whiskers out bare-handed was enough for them.

Incidentally, I found a photo for you of the type of case that was cannibalized to make the interior for your Fifty Box there:

 

[72plymsatellite]

Well, in fairness we'd already answered it here in this thread a day and a half earlier.

lol well dont i feel like an . i didnt think to look at the dates that were posted