Fabric hinged black box (b) with a silver closure and a purple velvet lined interior with spaces for spare blades (d-i) and for the fully assembled razor; a black ribbon spans the lid of the box to keep three paper information sheets secure (k-l); the silver metal blade holder (c) of the razor comm…
Fabric hinged black box (b) with a silver closure and a purple velvet lined interior with spaces for spare blades (d-i) and for the fully assembled razor; a black ribbon spans the lid of the box to keep three paper information sheets secure (k-l); the silver metal blade holder (c) of the razor commonly called a lather catcher has a hinged holder and bar to keep the blade in place and a closed comb; the metal handle (b) screws into the head of the razor and has a raised star pattern along the body with crosshatching around the top where it screws into the blade holder; the razor blades are double edged with a folded metal edge with manufacturing information engraved on it (d-i); original paper box covering (m) with product information printed on it.
Number Of Parts
13
Part Names
a - case l 8.7 x w 6.2 x d 3.9
b - razor handle
c - blade holder
d - razor blade l 4.0 x w 2.0 x d 0.2
e - razor blade l 4.0 x w 2.0 x d 0.2
f - razor blade l 4.0 x w 2.0 x d 0.2
g - razor blade l 4.0 x w 2.0 x d 0.2
h - razor blade l 4.0 x w 2.0 x d 0.2
i - razor blade l 4.0 x w 2.0 x d 0.2
j - Directions for Use booklet l 7.3 x w 5.3 x d 0.1
k - Best Dull Razor Cure paper l 15.3 x w 8.2 x d 0.1
l - Gem Automatic Razor Stopper paper l 13.7 x w 1.0 x d 0.1
m - original paper case cover l 16.8 x
Provenance
Belonged to donors father and was at their multi generation cottage in Washago Ontario.
Printed on interior of box lid: "GEM JUNIOR"; engraved on razor holder: "Gem Junior Bar // GEM CUTLERY CO. // MAKERS // N.Y. U.S.A. // U.S. PAT. // AUG. 28 1900 // U.S. & ENG. // NOV. 5 // 1901"; engraved on razor blades: "GEM JUNIOR // GEM CUTLERY CO. N.Y."
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-E5-5
Length
b-c - 7.5
Width
b-c - 4.3
Depth
b-c - 0.5
Diameter
b - 0.9
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Dimension Notes
Razor is assembled for measurements
Condition Remarks
Fabric hinge is fragile with some minor areas of loss on outside of box; is missing original stropper; moderate loss of areas from original paper box covering.
Copy Type
original
Reference Types
Internet
Reference Comments
American Safety Razor Company. Badger and Blade
Research Facts
The American Safety Razor Company, founded in the early 20th century (1906) by a merging of the Gem Safety Razor Co. and Ever-Ready, has been the principal competitor to Gillette for a century and more.
The Kampfe brothers, who patented the first safety razor in the US, formed a manufacturing company in 1875. They make the "Star" razor. It was the first safety razor made in the United States. In 1898, after working for the Kampfe Brothers for 23 years, an employee, Jerry Reichard, left to form the Gem Cutlery company, later renamed the Gem Safety Razor Company. Its first product, the Gem Safety Razor, borrowed heavily from the Star Razor in design but soon outpaced the Star and became one of the world's most famous razor and blades ever made. Reichard then founded the Yankee company, which was quickly renamed the Ever-Ready Company.
Ever-Ready and Gem quickly re-merged as the American Safety Razor Company, in 1906. In 1919, they absorbed the Star brand as well.
There would have originally been a stropper (used to sharpen the blades) that attached to the end of the razor handle but it is missing.