Gillette 1904 Double Ring Post Clean - Picture Heavy

[Manning]

I finally got around to cleaning up the double ring and taking some pictures for your viewing pleasure. Again, the serial number is 12789 dating the set to 1904. It came with an Inspector's Ticket stamped 2 on the front directing the customer to return unsatisfactory blades to 394 Atlantic Ave., Boston, Mass. (more on this later) and dated Nov 9 - 1904 with a stamp.

I tried to take some pictures of the complete set, but also some more detailed ones of individual items for posterity's sake. So on with the show.

First up are some pictures of the complete set.

 

[Rasierhobel]

very lucky guy =) where did you find that?

 

[Krona Kruiser]

This razor exudes a magical aura

 

[Manning]

Some of the gorgeous double ring. As you can see the silver plating is in incredible condition.

 

[Manning]

Here are some of the serial number and patent applied for stamp.

 

[alex2363]

looks like it was not used much...very very niceeeee

 

[Manning]

Now the more interesting, inside baseball, items; the blades and tickets.

The front side of the tickets. Notice that the ticket stamped 2 directs the customer to return unsatisfactory blades to 394 Atlantic Ave., Boston, Mass., whereas the ticket stamped 30 directs the customer to return the blades to 41 W. First St., Boston, Mass..

The ticket stamped 2 is dated Nov 9 - 1904 and the ticket stamped 30 is dated Jan 16 1907. I would assume that the 1904 ticket might be original to the case or certainly issued soon after purchase since it is believed that Patent Applied for razors with serial numbers were produced in mid to late 1904.


More of the tickets, another blade with the Gillette logo on the package and a blank paper case with a Gillette blade inside. Above the blades are two packets of 12 blades each. They are both full with 12 blades. One reads "Sterling Sharpening Co. Minneapolis, Minn. Our Work is Guaranteed Return if not satisfactory" The other reads "Guarantee If these Blades are not satisfactory, return in this wrapper to our agent, or to us for correction. Sharpened by . . . . . . Sterling Sharpening Co. Minneapolis St. Paul."

 

[LiveOak]

Definitely the nicest, most complete set I've ever seen.

 

[BigFoot]

Absolutely Spectacular. That is a dream find. I certainly congratulate and envy you at the same time.

 

[drocu]

Very nice and immaculate razor. It's almost too nice to shave with. Almost.

 

[kingfisher]

Wow. I'm speechless.

I wonder if it was ever used?

 

[Manning]

Thanks to everyone.

I feel incredibly lucky to have this set in my possession and I am very aware of my job as a steward of this very rare piece of history. With that said if anyone would like more pictures of anything or more detailed pictures of anything please let me know. If you have any questions do ask away.

I can confidently say that the set was used. There was a good amount of debris (beard stubble) inside the inner tube trapped in the ring part of the razor. All we have is conjecture about why the double ring design was discontinued and production costs are an obvious answer. I would like to add the sanitation may be another reason. I have cleaned many single rings and have never encountered any significant amount of debris inside such an otherwise very clean razor. However, this set contained a surprising amount for its overall incredible condition.

I do however, believe that it was likely only used for a couple of years at most, and very sparingly, and likely put to rest soon after the original owner purchased the blades with the ticket dated to 1907. It would be unlikely that the owner would have kept all these blades with the set if he had continued to use the set for any period of time after 1907.

 

[silver surfer]

A beautiful set. Thanks for the pictures and the history.

 

[Xilbus]

wow very nice. The head is in perfect condition. Will you have it replated?

 

[elmerwood]

That's awesome! I hope mine will clean up the same on Wednesday when I get it. Very nice set. Have you used it yet?

 

[Manning]

I will definitely not have it replated. The plating is the best I've seen on any of my silver plated Gillettes. On this razor I do believe replating would be a capital offense.

I haven't used it. I'm contemplating it, but I have single rings that I'm sure shave the same.

 

[Intrigued]

Very nice!!!!!!! Congratulations! Glad to see that such a nice, complete set has found a good steward to look after it.

 

[celestino]

Very nice razor, Justin. Congrats on the find.

 

[mr-razor]

Jackpot ! Congratulations to this great "Pat.Appl.for" set.

 

[ShavinBacon]

That is an awesome razor! One of the nicest I have seen! Congrats!