Erskine shave brushes

[winston61]

I've just picked up my 2nd Erskine brush for restoration. Not surprising that there is little to no info about Erskine that I can find. Can anyone shed a little light on this brand? Thanks to all.

[shavervinnie]

I don't know much about them but I picked this one up today in an antique shop

[mblakele]

I was not able to find much, but I hope it sheds some light.

Trow's Business Directory for 1898 lists a barber supply as "Hollingsworth & Erskine, shaving brushes a specialty, 447 & 449 Greenwich" in New York.

In 1901 the "James Lowe Erskine Co" paid $6.25 corporate tax to the State of New York, according to the Annual Report of the Comptroller.

In 1904, James L. Erskine of Brooklyn NY filed patent US790622 for an improved one-piece shaving brush handle. Erskine appears as a witness on patent US841453 for a folding handle, something like a turnback. By 1911 he had moved to Montclair, NJ and filed patent USD43693 for another handle design, as well as USD39898 and USD39899.

The 1920 Merchants' Association of New York Yearbook lists a "James Lowe Erskine Co" at 462 Greenwich, "Mfs Shaving Brushes, Specialties". The same address is listed in "The Era" for 1912 and 1916. A 1914 issue of Barrel and Box mentions that the Standard Novelty Company of 25 Hackett St made handles for Erskine.

In 1921 Erskine signed a letter from the American Brush Manufacturers Association to Congress, requesting lower tariffs on imported bristles. The letter states that bristles are imported from Asia and Europe, and that no domestic sources are available. That may mean that they have badger in mind, although we know from other sources that at least some boar bristles were also imported - and of course the anthrax scare centered on important horse-hair. The same letter mentions an existing tariff of 35% on finished brushes, and requests an increase to 60% to protect domestic manufacturers from foreign competition. There is also some interesting discussion of competition between Germany, Japan, and Russia for control of Russian bristle exports.

According to Chain store age, Volume 28, Erskine brushes were still being sold in 1952 but the company had moved to 100 Water St, Brooklyn NY. The company is also mentioned in Hardware Age, Volume 180, Issues 1-2 (1957).

[ras120]

I don't know much about them but I picked this one up today in an antique shop

That's all you need to know. That's a beauty.

[winston61]

Thanks very much, the information is amazing.

[winston61]

It looks sweet, a beauty with a new knot. Good find.

I don't know much about them but I picked this one up today in an antique shop