Many folks here have tons of vintage items in their shaving dens. I realized I didn't own any and I went thru the rabbit hole of satisfying this need. This is a repost from the CEC brotherhood thread but I wanted to know if others have other stories since I would love to hear about them.
I decided to get a straight that originated from where I live. I've lived in NJ since I was 5 and right now living in Jersey City. I found this one on eBay in pretty solid condition:
So a few things that are interesting about the razor. This is a German made razor that was made for Schmitt Bros. I wonder who produced the razor for Schmitt Bros. After some google searching, Schmitt Bros. was a local barber supplier on 293 Plane, Newark NJ. I found this in the Newark Business Directoryfrom 1914. Oddly enough, the scanned version of the directory is a collection at the University of Illinois. I can see references to the business from 1909 - 1915 but nothing more. Unfortunately, there is nothing more listed about the company.
After some google searching, Wikipedia informed me that Plane Street was renamed to University Avenue. Assuming that housing numbers never changed, the location of Schmitt Bros. is now part of Essex County College.
Now here is the biggest kicker. Out of all the places the razor is right now, it is being shipped from Romania to come back to its home in NJ. I wonder what that journey was like for this little bugger.
During my search I found a few others, but this one was in the best condition and closest to where I am now. I also find it fascinating that it is a German made razor for a local barber supply shop which seems fitting. I have my doubts about the scales being original since they look to be newer but who knows.
Since I told ya my story, let's hear yours!
I decided to get a straight that originated from where I live. I've lived in NJ since I was 5 and right now living in Jersey City. I found this one on eBay in pretty solid condition:
So a few things that are interesting about the razor. This is a German made razor that was made for Schmitt Bros. I wonder who produced the razor for Schmitt Bros. After some google searching, Schmitt Bros. was a local barber supplier on 293 Plane, Newark NJ. I found this in the Newark Business Directoryfrom 1914. Oddly enough, the scanned version of the directory is a collection at the University of Illinois. I can see references to the business from 1909 - 1915 but nothing more. Unfortunately, there is nothing more listed about the company.
After some google searching, Wikipedia informed me that Plane Street was renamed to University Avenue. Assuming that housing numbers never changed, the location of Schmitt Bros. is now part of Essex County College.
Now here is the biggest kicker. Out of all the places the razor is right now, it is being shipped from Romania to come back to its home in NJ. I wonder what that journey was like for this little bugger.
During my search I found a few others, but this one was in the best condition and closest to where I am now. I also find it fascinating that it is a German made razor for a local barber supply shop which seems fitting. I have my doubts about the scales being original since they look to be newer but who knows.
Since I told ya my story, let's hear yours!
so after seeing this I had to search online. Found a Pittsburgh company razor, made in Germany of course and had to buy it. Turns out the comany is still around, although I'm not sure if they still make straights. They are a barber/stylist supply company. I'll post pictures and company info when I get it next week. It's a Edlis Barber Supply Co. Special Junior 11/16. Needs a little clean up, but looks decent.
