Scotch Hone And Inimitable Strap, A Early Three Piece Set Of Shaving History And Much More

[timwcic]

This acquisition has a lot of history in a small package. A Scotch Hone and Inimitable Strap and is also a early three piece set of Mauchline Ware. It comes with a big bonus, a Royal Warrant. I am guessing the Warrant is for either George III (1760-1820), George IV (1820-30) or William IV (1830-37). The Warrant is for ‘HIS LATE MAJESTY’ so that would eliminate Albert. The Royal Warrant for him would have been for His Royal Highness. The Warrant for a Late Majesty I believe is only good for up to two years after the death. That would date this hone/strap 1820-22 the earliest to 1837-39 the latest. The Stone on the paddle is a white colored TOS. Even dirty it’s exceptional fine but unfortunately developed a crack over the decades. The third piece is a internal wood sleave with a leather strop on both sides. It’s labeled and called a strap, interesting. For approaching its bicentennial, it in amazing condition with stunning wood

 

[Legion]

It’s probably Prince Albert. When he died the country and Victoria were in such a state of mourning that the were putting attributes to him on everything, and for a lot longer than was normal.

 

[timwcic]

It’s probably Prince Albert. When he died the country and Victoria were in such a state of mourning that the were putting attributes to him on everything, and for a lot longer than was normal.

That was my first thought until I started digging in the Royal minutia. Victoria was Her Majesty and Albert was His Serene Highness before marriage and His Royal Highness after

 

[Legion]

That was my first thought until I started digging in the Royal minutia. Victoria was Her Majesty and Albert was His Serene Highness before marriage and His Royal Highness after

Yes and no. His official title was Prince Consort, though the Queen wanted him to be called King Consort. And remember, when he was alive, and for a little while after his death, all the stuff that was done by appointment to him and Vicky where stamped "By appointment to THEIR MAJESTIES". And I believe I remember reading, after his death the Queen gave permission for him to keep being referring to him as Majesty. Victoria made a number of concessions to Albert that were not strictly traditional.

I could be wrong. The Late Majesty could be William IV, but the fact that a traditionally male item has reference to a late monarch rather than a current one, would be because a Queen was on the throne. And I just think the date of that hone would be more likely Albert than William IV.

Have you been able to get any info on the manufacturer at all? That might give some answers, if you can find out when they were in business.

 

[timwcic]

Have you been able to get any info on the manufacturer at all? That might give some answers, if you can find out when they were in business.

So that the onion need to peeled back further. Is the warrant for Smith the stone mason or Smith the box maker. I don’t think it’s stone mason. The smiths were evicted from the Stair mine approximately 1815. Smith the box maker was solo until he merged with Andrew Smith to form W & A Smith Box Works in 1825. Before 1825 Wm Smith had his manufacturing company specializing in the razor/knife/sharpening hone box business. That why I believe the Warrant is for George III but left the other Royal options

 

[Legion]

So that the onion need to peeled back further. Is the warrant for Smith the stone mason or Smith the box maker. I don’t think it’s stone mason. The smiths were evicted from the Stair mine approximately 1815. Smith the box maker was solo until he merged with Andrew Smith to form W & A Smith Box Works in 1825. Before 1825 Wm Smith had his manufacturing company specializing in razor/knife/sharpening hone box business. That why I believe the Warrant is for George III be left the other Royal options

Hmmm. Yes, maybe. It is in amazing condition if it is that old. Makes you wonder how it ended up in the States.

 

[timwcic]

Hmmm. Yes, maybe. It is in amazing condition if it is that old. Makes you wonder how it ended up in the States.

As I said before, I am amazed by the crap I find

 

[Legion]

As I said before, I am amazed by the crap I find

So are we!

 

[Tanuki]

I'm just amazed at the erudition on display in this joint! Of all the hone joints in all the towns in all the world, you hang out here.

Inimitable, indeed!

 

[SliceOfLife]

Had an almost identical paddle with a very waxy tan tam on it several years back. "The old Ayrstone" label.

Its in the first couple pages of the Tam/WoA thread.

 

[H Brad Boonshaft]

Great find and great photos, what’s the background?
Looks very cool and makes the hone/strop pop.

 

[timwcic]

Had an almost identical paddle with a very waxy tan tam on it several years back. "The old Ayrstone" label.

Its in the first couple pages of the Tam/WoA thread.

I look it up, very nice and absolutely love the label

Just got something you might like. Post in a few days

Great find and great photos, what’s the background?
Looks very cool and makes the hone/strop pop.

HAHAHA. It is a black table cover from the dollar store I took out of the trash. Loved the way it look and is very thin. I draped it over boxes making a homemade light box. After a few years it standing to deteriorate and rip from the slightest touch. Going to have to bite the bullet and buy a new one at the inflationary price of $1.25

 

[SliceOfLife]

Looks like a coti... but says use sperm oil, so I assume it's arkansas? But also says it's "Genuine Rock Hone"... so maybe "Old Rock"... Like the other coti paddles? Really interesting Torrey paddle.