Asking for any info on this razor. Delivered to the USA by the Hindenburg Zeppelin.

[markdonnell1975]

I figured this forum might be a good place to start. I have been unable to find another example of this razor so I am hoping someone on here has seen another like it or can give me more information (other than what is written on the blade).

It is a straight razor that was brought over to the USA on the German blimp Hindenburg (the same one that exploded in May 1937).

The blade clearly says "Shipped to USA by" with a picture of the Hindenburg blimp with the correct tail # and "May 1936".

The razor was manufactured by Jahenckels Twinworks in Solingen Germany (shown on the blade).

I attached some pictures of the blade showing the markings. Its very hard to get it all to show up in a picture but it is all very easy to read in person.

My father purchased this in a flea market here in Springfield Missouri approximately 35 years ago.

I have searched the internet to find any other razor like this and I have not been able to locate another one.

I would be thankful for any information anyone could provide.

 

[ouch]

Not familiar with that one, but you should be able to buff that nick right out.

 

[global_dev]

I figured this forum might be a good place to start. I have been unable to find another example of this razor so I am hoping someone on here has seen another like it or can give me more information (other than what is written on the blade).

It is a straight razor that was brought over to the USA on the German blimp Hindenburg (the same one that exploded in May 1937).

The blade clearly says "Shipped to USA by" with a picture of the Hindenburg blimp with the correct tail # and "May 1936".

The razor was manufactured by Jahenckels Twinworks in Solingen Germany (shown on the blade).

I attached some pictures of the blade showing the markings. Its very hard to get it all to show up in a picture but it is all very easy to read in person.

My father purchased this in a flea market here in Springfield Missouri approximately 35 years ago.

I have searched the internet to find any other razor like this and I have not been able to locate another one.

I would be thankful for any information anyone could provide.

What other type of information are you looking for... what's written on that razor is more than almost any other razor typically.

made by J.A. Henckels Twinworks

JA HENCKELS
Solingen, Germany
at least ca. 1731 - present

 

[Pilotgod]

As for the razor itself, it is a J. A. Henckels which is a very well respected brand in straight razors. The present company has branched off into cutlery and cookware as well. Any search engine will take you to their webpage, Wilipedia page, and a host of other places to get more information on them.

Now, the "Delivered by LZ129 Hindenburg" marks it as being a "souvenir" or special item of the time. The 30's leading up to the crash of Hindenburg were the "Golden Age of Airships" and this was considered the ultimate in luxury travel. As this was also in the midst of the Great Depression, very few people would ever have a chance to see a great airship, let alone ride in it. The closest they could come would be to have an object that took the ride. Air Mail envelopes and stamps from the Hindenburg are a popular collectors item now, and personally, I would rate this razor as being rarer than any of those. Objects being bolstered in price by special shipping is not uncommon, it would the same as something made in Britain having a stamp that read "Delivered to US by the RMS Queen Mary". Even today, we see items that are bolstered in their value because it flew into space aboard STS-###. Obviously, just as we didn't use the Space Shuttle for air freight, the Hindenburg wasn't a cargo vessel. So an items that were shipped by it were a rarity of sorts. What you have is a very nice piece of history.

Finally, as the razor obviously can't be returned to shaving status, I would recommend to keep it clean and coated in oil to prevent further corrosion and to display it. For anyone with an interest it is a nice thing to see. Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[markdonnell1975]

As for the razor itself, it is a J. A. Henckels which is a very well respected brand in straight razors. The present company has branched off into cutlery and cookware as well. Any search engine will take you to their webpage, Wilipedia page, and a host of other places to get more information on them.

Now, the "Delivered by LZ129 Hindenburg" marks it as being a "souvenir" or special item of the time. The 30's leading up to the crash of Hindenburg were the "Golden Age of Airships" and this was considered the ultimate in luxury travel. As this was also in the midst of the Great Depression, very few people would ever have a chance to see a great airship, let alone ride in it. The closest they could come would be to have an object that took the ride. Air Mail envelopes and stamps from the Hindenburg are a popular collectors item now, and personally, I would rate this razor as being rarer than any of those. Objects being bolstered in price by special shipping is not uncommon, it would the same as something made in Britain having a stamp that read "Delivered to US by the RMS Queen Mary". Even today, we see items that are bolstered in their value because it flew into space aboard STS-###. Obviously, just as we didn't use the Space Shuttle for air freight, the Hindenburg wasn't a cargo vessel. So an items that were shipped by it were a rarity of sorts. What you have is a very nice piece of history.

Finally, as the razor obviously can't be returned to shaving status, I would recommend to keep it clean and coated in oil to prevent further corrosion and to display it. For anyone with an interest it is a nice thing to see. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Thanks for the info! I do love the history involved with it. The blade unfortunately could be in better condition but that's the way it was when my dad purchased it sometime in the mid 70's. He has always kept it oiled so it has remained in the same condition as he bought it. I figured if anyone had seen another one it would be in a forum like this. Thanks again. Mark.

 

[Alum of Potash]

I'm pretty sure I saw one of these in good shape on the 'Bay a while back. So this makes two I've seen in the last six months or so.

Edit: welcome to B&B, btw.

 

[Doc226]

Nice piece of history, this one looks like it was in the Hinderberg's last voyage.

 

[beej8508]

I have a portion of the card, with a photograph of the Hindenburg, that this razor was attached to. There is a dearth of information on this promotional event.

I figured this forum might be a good place to start. I have been unable to find another example of this razor so I am hoping someone on here has seen another like it or can give me more information (other than what is written on the blade).

It is a straight razor that was brought over to the USA on the German blimp Hindenburg (the same one that exploded in May 1937).

The blade clearly says "Shipped to USA by" with a picture of the Hindenburg blimp with the correct tail # and "May 1936".

The razor was manufactured by Jahenckels Twinworks in Solingen Germany (shown on the blade).

I attached some pictures of the blade showing the markings. Its very hard to get it all to show up in a picture but it is all very easy to read in person.

My father purchased this in a flea market here in Springfield Missouri approximately 35 years ago.

I have searched the internet to find any other razor like this and I have not been able to locate another one.

I would be thankful for any information anyone could provide. View attachment 290869View attachment 290870

 

[Billski]

Somebody please do the bottom photo again. Get rid of the glare from that lamp.

 

[Seraphim]

The Hindenburg was a Zeppelin, not a blimp.

 

[scag315]

The Hindenburg was a Zeppelin, not a blimp.

"A schooner IS a sailboat, Stupid head!"

 

[eKretz]

Mallrats! Hilarious movie.

 

[tomtom42]

Obviously, just as we didn't use the Space Shuttle for air freight, the Hindenburg wasn't a cargo vessel. So an items that were shipped by it were a rarity of sorts. What you have is a very nice piece of history.

I stumbled about a photograph of an original list of ticket and cargo rates and cargo was pretty reasonable:
1 kg from Friedrichshaven (Germany) to Rio de Janeiro delivered in 5 days cost 10 Reichsmark (approx. 40€ translated to todays value)
That is about the same you would have to pay for shipping with Fedex today...

So I guess they might have transported more cargo than might be expected.

Here is a link to the page:
http://www.airships.net/lz127-graf-zeppelin/history

br,
ToM

 

[stoop]

I had no idea that they flew out of Friedrichshafen. I wish I had known when I went there, I'd have hunted down a museum.

 

[Brutus]

"A schooner IS a sailboat, Stupid head!"

That may well be; but a blimp is not a Zeppelin and a Zeppelin is not a blimp.

Or to paraphrase you: "A schooner IS NOT a catamaran, Stupid Head".


B.

 

[Seraphim]

Both blimps and zeppelins are airships. But, no, a Zeppelin is not a blimp, nor a blimp a Zeppelin.

 

[alpster]

The Hindenburg disaster happened just a few miles from where I live. Two hangars that would house a Zeppin are still there. The local hospital has pictures on the wall, taken while the survivors were brought to the emergency room. The hospital was credited with saving a lot of lives. The pictures are overwhelming to look at.

I would clean up the razor as best I could and preserve it for posterity.

 

[pundi64]

Nice piece of history, this one looks like it was in the Hinderberg's last voyage.

Yes I was going to ask the same thing,

 

[riverblue]

Both blimps and zeppelins are airships. But, no, a Zeppelin is not a blimp, nor a blimp a Zeppelin.

It's a rigid airship!

 

[unclelouie]

I figured this forum might be a good place to start. I have been unable to find another example of this razor so I am hoping someone on here has seen another like it or can give me more information (other than what is written on the blade).

It is a straight razor that was brought over to the USA on the German blimp Hindenburg (the same one that exploded in May 1937).

The blade clearly says "Shipped to USA by" with a picture of the Hindenburg blimp with the correct tail # and "May 1936".

The razor was manufactured by Jahenckels Twinworks in Solingen Germany (shown on the blade).

I attached some pictures of the blade showing the markings. Its very hard to get it all to show up in a picture but it is all very easy to read in person.

My father purchased this in a flea market here in Springfield Missouri approximately 35 years ago.

I have searched the internet to find any other razor like this and I have not been able to locate another one.

I would be thankful for any information anyone could provide. View attachment 290869View attachment 290870