Need info on this Butterscotch Beauty!

[rodeo]

I scored this nice vintage shaving set today and I would like any information about it and guestimates for it's value too.

I definitely feel the "Brush" is genuine Catalin Butterscotch, as well as the back of the mirror as those materials appear to be the same possibly and are not marbleized. The Brush has a unique marking on it, what appears to be a swastika located in between the initials N. and Y. (The N. is only visible through a magnifying glass.) The top edge of the brush (the top lip) is still showing signs of the original white / ivory color.

The Ring that holds the "milkglass" shaving bowl as well as the small clip that holds the brush in place behind the bowl are marbleized in coloration, unlike the lid and brush which as mentioned earlier, appear to be solid in color.

So, anyone know who made the brush and what the swastika symbol stands for? Anything else you can tell me about this set? Care to estimate a value for this item? I bought it with the intention of starting off my vintage shaving collection (for display - not use) and also purchased two additional vintage brushes too, one of them being butterscotch as well.

Anyway, I really like this set and it's nice and compact too. It made my day when I found it today. Comments appreciated, Thanks guys!

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[KaiserKrebs]

Egads man, you've found a butterscotch clam, with a pearl inside it to boot! great looking set...sorry, I don't have any info on the brush, but I do have a similar wooden handled one. This set pre-dates WWII most likely, as there was no associated stigma with the Swastika. Besides the one on the brush is not the same as the one used by Nazi Germany, which was tilted. The one on the brush is more similar to a Hindu "swasti" which is a good luck symbol.

Anything associated with the Nazi regime will likely have the markings D.R.P. which stands for Deutches Reichs Patent....I think you are safe to use this brush without guilt. Great butterscotch score...

 

[andrew98]

Very nice find!

-Andy

 

[Legion]

That is a great looking set. Love it.

The only thing that makes me think that the brush is not Butterscotch is the fact that the lid, bowl, brush holder and all the rest are orange. Now if the brush is catalin it would have been white when it was new. They would not know or planed for it to go orange. Somebody in the factory would not have said "You know Carl, if we put this set in the sun, in fifty or sixty years this brush is going to match the set." Makes me think it might have been made orange from the outset. I could be wrong, of course.

Regardless, looks great. Value? Hard to say but I'd expect to pay over $100 for it in a shop.

That little orange made-rite brush is nice too. I have one just like it. The bristles are way too soft but it is in the cue for a restoration.

 

[rodeo]

That is a great looking set. Love it.

The only thing that makes me think that the brush is not Butterscotch is the fact that the lid, bowl, brush holder and all the rest are orange. Now if the brush is catalin it would have been white when it was new. They would not know or planed for it to go orange. Somebody in the factory would not have said "You know Carl, if we put this set in the sun, in fifty or sixty years this brush is going to match the set." Makes me think it might have been made orange from the outset. I could be wrong, of course.

Regardless, looks great. Value? Hard to say but I'd expect to pay over $100 for it in a shop.

That little orange made-rite brush is nice too. I have one just like it. The bristles are way too soft but it is in the cue for a restoration.

I definitely think the lid and the brush are the same materials, same color and both being non marbleized. Yet, the brush around the top rim is still showing ivory -white closest to where it meets the bristles of the brush.

I just tried the 409 test and the set failed that test, (no yellow coloration seemed to come off) but the other single brush I purchased passed the 409 test. I then did the "hot water dip" test and the same results happened there too, the brush from the set didn't seem to react but the other solo brush did smelll like formaldehyde plus there was one adverse reaction too. The solo brush where I had been holding it under the hot water started to lose it's butterscotch coloration and faded out. (the water was boiling hot, maybe too hot?) I could see the water getting yellowish too. That forced me to re-dip the entire brush handle to try to even it out somewhat which worked ok and while the brush is no longer the deeper orange / butterscotch it is now more of a washed out paler color that I would liken to horn, still the same tone just not as deep. Any explanation for this phenomenon? Getting back to the set, is it possible this set is made of celluloid? Would they have made a shaving brush handle out of celluloid? The bowl ring and the brush clip remind me of celluloid. The swastika probably does date it to pre WWII though I would think, especially marked N.Y. and Made in U.S.A. Thoughts?

This is what the solo brush looks like after the hot water dip to even out the color. Did I ruin it? It's no longer the same vibrant orange it was before.

 

[Legion]

Mmmm... Still looks about the same colour as mine. I think it's OK.

 

[GentsInstinct]

That's the second brush I've seen with the swastika on it and Made In USA.

 

[K.T.]

That's a gorgeous set. I love the octagonal shape of the bakelite cover and the classy way the hinges are set. Fantastic. If you ever want to part with it, let me know!

BTW, I have a Made-Rite brush that has the exact same white handle as yours, except it says "Pure Badger" on the bottom and the number is 750PB. It's pure badger, of course.

 

[moshulu]

This set pre-dates WWII most likely, as there was no associated stigma with the Swastika. Besides the one on the brush is not the same as the one used by Nazi Germany, which was tilted. The one on the brush is more similar to a Hindu "swasti" which is a good luck symbol.

The straight right-handed swastica is the same as was used by the Nazis, I'm afraid. Before Hitler, both right- and left- handed versions were used, tilted and straight, always with a positive "good luck" connotation. Here is one piece of lore off the web:

Even in the early twentieth century, the swastika was still a symbol with positive connotations. For instance, the swastika was a common decoration that often adorned cigarette cases, postcards, coins, and buildings. During World War I, the swastika could even be found on the shoulder patches of the American 45th Division and on the Finnish air force until after World War II.

By the way, it is illegal here in France to sell any object that has Nazi insignia (e.g., medals). Unlike many other laws, this one is pretty much obeyed and enforced. There was even a flap about it between the French government and ebay, but it came to nothing. The wounds ares still not completely healed...

 

[guenron]

The straight right-handed swastica is the same as was used by the Nazis, I'm afraid. Before Hitler, both right- and left- handed versions were used, tilted and straight, always with a positive "good luck" connotation. Here is one piece of lore off the web:

Even in the early twentieth century, the swastika was still a symbol with positive connotations. For instance, the swastika was a common decoration that often adorned cigarette cases, postcards, coins, and buildings. During World War I, the swastika could even be found on the shoulder patches of the American 45th Division and on the Finnish air force until after World War II.

By the way, it is illegal here in France to sell any object that has Nazi insignia (e.g., medals). Unlike many other laws, this one is pretty much obeyed and enforced. There was even a flap about it between the French government and ebay, but it came to nothing. The wounds ares still not completely healed...

That the heels would be wounded is far better. Good for the Sûreté.