My Lords, Please meet Miladies...

[Jake]

I added this 3rd one (the one on the right) so now I have a full complement -- for me -- of the classy lady's shaver from the early 1920s. They've held up so well -- Mylady razors were among the 1st for the ladies who were looking for a less hirsute presence. Gillette's marketing reaching out to the women as well.

 

[Loric]

WOW Jake! Your collection never ceases to amaze me. Thanks for furthering my DE education as I did not know these existed. They have great cases, I love the softer personality they have, its almost like they were colored in technicolor as the color palate is similar to a lot of the old movies done in it (i.e. the Wizard of OZ).

 

[BBrad]

Very nice . . . thanks for sharing them with us!!

 

[Judge Kemp]

Very cool. This inspired me to look at a razor I've never tried really hard to identify. I think it matches yours on the right. Am I right and I'm holding a Milady in the second picture (same razor in both pics)?

 

[Jake]

Yes sir, a 1920s Gillette Mylady -- missing her case but still ready to use. A fairly mild shaver for an open comb design. Cleaning these gold-plated razors is not advised -- unless you plan to replate. The plating is 24 carat and very very thin.

 

[Judge Kemp]

Yes sir, a 1920s Gillette Mylady -- missing her case but still ready to use. A fairly mild shaver for an open comb design. Cleaning these gold-plated razors is not advised -- unless you plan to replate. The plating is 24 carat and very very thin.

Yeah the plating is gone on the faceplate and the base too I think. Is the faceplate and baseplate brass? Because mine look to be silver in color. I wonder if it is a mismatch.

 

[Jake]

Most likely the base metal on that razor is brass. Couldn't be solid silver or nickel, so it could be a very tarnished -- is that what oxidized brass does? -- finish. Because of the split in the handle -- so common but not in all cases -- it is probably not worth getting the razor replated. But it is a nice one from the early twentieth century.

 

[paules]

Jake, nice razors as always.

I bought a Milady recently, same as the one in the middle of your pics, but have yet to shave with it.

What are they like to shave with? They look like a normal OC. Is there any subtle design differences with the razors made for ladies?

 

[mr-razor]

Great Ladys, Jake. What do you think about this supplement?

 

[Jake]

Now that's a beautiful variant on the theme Achim! Never saw that design case before. And is this a silver/gold combination or 2 different razor handles? Very attractive razor.

 

[fingerguy]

Where do you find these vintage products? I assume you don't go to shaving websites for them.

 

[mr-razor]

Now that's a beautiful variant on the theme Achim! Never saw that design case before. And is this a silver/gold combination or 2 different razor handles? Very attractive razor.

it´s the silver/gold combination:

 

[themilkman]

achim, do you own all the razors you have pictures of? i love your website by the way - very informative!

 

[mr-razor]

achim, do you own all the razors you have pictures of? i love your website by the way - very informative!

Yes, I own the most. The razors I do not own, I call the owner by name on the picture. There are 100-200 more razors, that I must photograph and list.

 

[Jake]

So the British made combination Milady is 4gms heavier than the USA made version. Is your weight listing accurate Achim? Strange that there would be such a difference. And of course we're eager to see more of your vintage razors' photos. Are they all Gillettes? Ones you don't already have displayed on your site?

How about some photos of your display cases also?

 

[mr-razor]

So the British made combination Milady is 4gms heavier than the USA made version. Is your weight listing accurate Achim? Strange that there would be such a difference. And of course we're eager to see more of your vintage razors' photos. Are they all Gillettes? Ones you don't already have displayed on your site?

How about some photos of your display cases also?

I´v weighed it again and it´s correct: the british handle is heavier.
I´m collecting only Gillette things. I do not have enough time to care for my display case - all my time goes to complete my site. But here are some old pictures from my display.

ups - the link is censored

 

[Rasierhobel]

Yes, I own the most. The razors I do not own, I call the owner by name on the picture. There are 100-200 more razors, that I must photograph and list.

hey achim,

i think that some of us asked themselfes where do you find so many razors? i don't think that you bought all from the bay. btw very impressive site !

thanks to share all the razor with us. i have this new milady in a blue case like this one new milady . your green case (my one also without gillette diamond on the case and "gillette" in the innercase but with a blue ribbon and nothing on it) but the same blue colour like the blue follower which you have listed. should take a photo i think

best regards

 

[Jake]

Interesting that the British handle -- must be a more sturdy barrel/handle -- are there any splits in yours -- are heavier. I guess it is true that the British Gillettes were -- at least in some cases -- better made. Too bad that the photo of your display is censored. Perhaps the owner of the photo would be able to offer you the photos so you could post them directly.

Thanks. We do rely on your archives and the photos are great and incredibly useful I hope there are good backups for all your images.

 

[mr-razor]

Interesting that the British handle -- must be a more sturdy barrel/handle -- are there any splits in yours -- are heavier. I guess it is true that the British Gillettes were -- at least in some cases -- better made. Too bad that the photo of your display is censored. Perhaps the owner of the photo would be able to offer you the photos so you could post them directly.

Thanks. We do rely on your archives and the photos are great and incredibly useful I hope there are good backups for all your images.

the link to my display is from B&B censored (banned vendor filter). It´s a homepage from a banned member, who shows some collectors on his site.

Now I´ve put some old pictures on my site (some pictures nearly 3 years old). I´ll change the pictures from time to time with new pictures. You can see them here

 

[Jake]

Seems like Gillette decided, later in the 1920s, that there was a market for womens' razors that was a little more high end. So the next iteration of the ladies' razor was called the Milady Decolletee. They were made in the USA, Canada, and England -- and here are examples of each. They are gold-plated so not as easy to maintain as nickel or silver, but at least one has weathered the years in excellent shape.

A variety of plastic-type cases were the ultimate delivery for these classy razors.

With a very attractive instruction pamphlet or brochure, using the image often seen in the print advertisements for this model razor.

Some of these 90-year old razors have held up remarkably well.

No split in the handle I could see.

These razors were plated in 24 carat gold.

Wouldn't these be a popular model if made in this century too? Stainless steel is popular these days, but how about this design?