Shaving Kits used by Famous Men in History

[BlenheimBadger94]

So I thought I would start a thread on something I find very interesting!

Shaving Brushes of Famous Men in History.

I, and many others I'm sure, would be interested to see just what kind of brush these men used! I'll start with George Washington, the first President of the United States. Here is his one of his traveling shaving kits, including an interesting boxed shaving brush. (which I read was badger)
"
View attachment 354872View attachment 354873View attachment 354874
Shaving brush and box
1780-1800
Possibly made: England/France
Hair, silver, wood, iron

The strop is Overall: 5 3/8 in. x 1 1/8 in. x 3/16 in. In case anyone wants to make one xD (How cool would that be?)



Oh and the razor is a George Wostenholm (English, Active: 1745 - 1823) Made: Sheffield, England, Horn, iron alloy, copper alloy, Overall: 5 3/8 in. x 11/16 in. x 3/8 in.

Please continue this thread and share with us all what other great men used to whip up their lather!

 

[BlenheimBadger94]

Here is another interesting find from the same time period!

A shaving kit belonging to John Marshall Shaving Kit

American, probably, late 18th or early 19th century
Wood, hog bristle, soap, cloth

"This shaving kit consists of a wooden box, a hog bristle shaving brush and small bag, and several pieces of shaving soap. A note attached to the inside lid of the box reads: "The Shaving Box of John Marshall-Chief Justice of U. States." Although we can never be sure of its exact history, the box descended in the Marshall family and is believed to have been owned by John Marshall."

Please continue this thread and share with us all what other great men used to whip up their lather! ​

 

[BlenheimBadger94]

Napoleon's Shaving Routine!!

.."Finished with his bath, Napoleon would put on an undershirt, simple white overalls with feet, and a white dressing gown, these garments being of cotton in the summer and wool in the winter. On his head he kept the bandanna he had slept in, knotted over the forehead with the two loose ends passing back over his shoulders.

In this costume he would begin to shave. For daily grooming he made use of one of several elaborate traveling cases made for him by the court jeweler Biennais. In an era when every middle class merchant had a servant to shave him every day, Napoleon liked to do the job himself.


Constant had taught him to use a straight razor early in his reign, but apparently he wasn't really good at it, and would occasionally cut himself. Roustam would hold the mirror, and Constant the basin, towel and soap. After shaving, he would wash his hands with almond paste and rose soap, and then his face with fine sponges."


His brush you ask? Plisson

"Making shaving brushes since 1808. Rightfully very expensive and beautifully made they provided Napoleon with the shaving brushes he used as he conquered Europe. One of the few places you can buy some brushes made from genuine European badger hair."

I was able to find these pictures of some of his dressing cases but not of an actual shaving brush. Some of his straights though!





Please continue this thread and share with us all what other great men used to whip up their lather!

 

[shevek]

I have nothing to add at this hour but I'm finding your postings very interesting...keep it going!

 

[mistercitizen]

Wow, interesting posts. Thank you!

Ben

 

[Chadao]

Yes, absolutely fascinating. Thanks.

 

[BlenheimBadger94]

Thank you all for the support, that is very nice to hear from others I want to expand and grow this thread so it will be filled with wonderful information and historical images.

Here is an English WWII Army issue holdall. (This one belonged to Graham Plitcher)

Description

[FONT=arial !important]The holdall contained a knife, fork and spoon, known as KFS; comb; toothbrush; shaving brush; razor; box of matches; soap and tin
Graham Pilcher asked his batman to find his shaving kit for him on 16th April 1945. Within seconds Graham Pilcher heard a German shell coming in and dived into a trench.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial !important]This holdall was issued to soldiers in Burma in 1944.[/FONT]

 

[BlenheimBadger94]

Here is another interesting one! There is a glimpse of the brush next to the razor there. Perhaps I should have made this forum shaving kits not just brushes! Idk how to move it. Anyway

Civil War Union Officer's Footlocker with Belongings, 1860-1890


Between those two extremes of comfort and squalor, high-ranking officers were allowed simple footlockers that carried everything they needed for war.
This footlocker belonged to Lieutenant Colonel William H. Pain, a topographical engineer from New Hampshire who surveyed terrain and battlefields for the Union army.
The wooden chest he carried to war was just 10 and ¾ inches by 21 and ½ inches by 15 and ¼ inches – about 50percent larger than an airline carry-on suitcase.
Lt Col Pain’s footlocker features two tray compartments that allowed him to neatly arrange his belongings. When the New-York Historical Society took possession of it, it was still stocked the Pain’s wartime supplies – and a few other things he had acquired during his life after the war.

Please continue this thread and share with us all what other men in history used to whip up their lather!

 

[malocchio]

Great shots,lots of interesting history here.

 

[Marsman]

What a great idea, please keep the history coming.

 

[jzuzphreek]

I think had it been around in his day, Napoleon might have been a B&B member with some serious SRAD.

 

[WVUfanMG]

This is a fascinating thread. Makes me appreciate our modern gear even more...

 

[BlenheimBadger94]

Thanks all Here is John Fitzgerald Kennedy's WWII gillette traveler when he was a lieutenant.


One of the metal tubes contained a shaving brush, the other a shaving stick! I'd love to see what he used daily during his presidency.

Please continue this thread and share with us all what other men in history used to whip up their lather! and thanks to all for the support. ​

 

[jzuzphreek]

Thanks all Here is John Fitzgerald Kennedy's WWII gillette traveler when he was a lieutenant.
View attachment 355016

One of the metal tubes contained a shaving brush, the other a shaving stick! I'd love to see what he used daily during his presidency.

Please continue this thread and share with us all what other men in history used to whip up their lather! and thanks to all for the support. ​

Woah! I have that razor... except mines Silver plated. I guess my goal now is to get a case and traveling tubes to match...

 

[DirtDiver]

aaaand subscribed. awesome thread idea

 

[BlenheimBadger94]

Thank you so much! And I had mentioned in my first post.. Oneee of George Washington's travel shaving kits. This one is my favorite of his that I have seen.

c. 1775
Probably made: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Mahogany, paint, brass, iron, glass, silk, metallic braid, paper

Overall: 3 1/2 in. x 9 3/8 in. x 6 7/8 in. (8.89 cm x 23.83 cm x 17.48 cm)

George Washington's purchases while he was attending the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia anticipated his return to military duty. This razor case may be the "Travelling razor case ?2" he bought in May 1775. Painted with mahogany graining, the box is outfitted with a mirror, a removable tray for razors, strop, and hone, and compartments for toilet supplies such as cologne and powder. Cushions covered in watered silk and lined with metallic braid helped secure its contents while in transit. The elegant case enabled the maintenance of a civilized routine amidst the rigors of life on campaign.


Below: Reproduction of Shaving Box used by George Washington that carried seven daily straight razors in mahogany wood, silk lined. Duplicated from original in Mt. Vernon. ( Who can make me a reproduction?? I have always always wanted one of these!!! Since I was a young child visiting Mount Vernon.)

 

[BlenheimBadger94]

Now this one I do think is quite fascinating, hard to find. A shaving kit belonging to President Theodore Roosevelt. Quite similar to JFKs.. Looks like we know which way to lean for shaving presidential whiskers !

A gold-plated, pigskin designed 5-piece shaving kit set monogrammed with T R’s initials along with the presidential seal, view of White House and capital buildings. Items in the set include one Gillette Razor, two blade holders, brush and soap holder

Can anyone put a year and model on this? Of course it is custom, but I am sure gillette used a current model.

Please continue this thread and share with us all what other men in history used to whip up their lather! and thanks to all for the support.

 

[DirtDiver]

Where are you finding these historical items?

 

[VT_Hokie]

Some really neat reading here. Thank you very much.

 

[BlenheimBadger94]

I just do research. I've always been interested in this sort of thing! I absolutely love history and given this is a hobby of mine, along with fountain pens, I think it is interesting to see the tastes of historical figures. You can kind of tell something about an individual based on what he uses lol. Even if it's just style. So I just thought it only fair to share it all with my fellow members! I'd love for everyone to find more and post too!

Here's a neat little shaving kit! "..the shaving kit of David L. Swain, president of UNC and former governor of North Carolina. This polished and engraved wooden box opens with a tiny key. What must have been routine for Swain felt like opening a treasure chest to me. You can see photographs of all the delicately crafted razors and glass jars nestled in their individual compartments. One hollow spot in the box did not have a handle. I thought I must have found a secret compartment! I used a delicate tool to lift up the wooden piece, but, alas, there were no hidden messages or shaving secrets that had lay dormant for 145 years.'

Please continue this thread and share with us all what other men in history used to whip up their lather! and thanks to all for the support.​