is my aristocrat rhodium plated? (lotsa pics)

[opti]

Hi guys, long time reader first time poster.
Great community you guys got going here, learned many things and changed my shaving habits for the better.

I got this a couple months ago from an antique store. its a 1950's british aristocrat far as I can tell. But is it rhodium plated?
can anyone tell me?

onto the pics

 

[johnmrson]

Yes, it's rhodium.


Oh, and welcome to the forum.

 

[luvmysuper]

Welcome to B&B!

That's a magnificent piece you have there.

 

[Eclectic]

Looks like a 1952/3 British Aristocrat #66 Coronation model. Rhodium over aluminium handle and a lizard (or is it snake) skin case.

Very rare, very valuable. Maybe $400.

And it is a mighty fine shaving razor.

 

[james7604]

If it doesn't have the crown logo on the case, is it still a coronation set?

I picked one of these rhodium plated aluminium aristocrats up a few months back, but there is no crown on the case.

 

[Eclectic]

If it doesn't have the crown logo on the case, is it still a coronation set?

I picked one of these rhodium plated aluminium aristocrats up a few months back, but there is no crown on the case.

Mine is exactly as in the photo at the top of this thread and it has a silver gilt crown in the top left hand corner of the box front.

On interesting thing is that it says "Safety Razor" inside the box instead of "Aristocrat". Presumably out of deference to the Queen.

 

[mcandre]

If it doesn't have the crown logo on the case, is it still a coronation set?

I picked one of these rhodium plated aluminium aristocrats up a few months back, but there is no crown on the case.

Exactly, it's probably a standard #66 or I'd expect it to be and the value is in the eye of the beholder or the highest bidder.

Would you say it's a light razor about 37g?

 

[james7604]

Exactly, it's probably a standard #66 or I'd expect it to be and the value is in the eye of the beholder or the highest bidder.

Would you say it's a light razor about 37g?

Yes, I was surprised by the weight of it when I received it, I stuck it on the kitchen scales and it came out as exactly 37g.

The razor itself is in fantastic condition, mechanically perfect and no plating loss. The case itself is a little grubby on the inside.

I'll try and get some pictures up.

 

[Chester]

Lovely find, that.
Welcome to the forum!
-- Chet

 

[opti]

Thanks for the great info guys, great wealth of knowledge here.

The outside of the case is worn, I can clearly make out the Gillette but there is no crown.

 

[onotoman]

On 'Rhodium' razors like these, only the handle is actually rhodium plated - the doors and rest of the head are good old nickel.

I have a post on this somewhere where I stripped the plating from a number of #66 #21 etc (don't worry, these razors weren't anywhere near as pristine as yours, they REALLY did need replating and I didn't just strip the plating from them in the interests of research

That's a lovely razor you have though.