Straight Razor Auction Ending 12/12

#98 – Boxed “Duke of Marlborough’s” Folding Razor from the Henry T. Lummus Collection with original letters providing provenance. The small, wedge blade is unmarked. The handle scales are known as “Select Horn,” one of the rarest handle materials found on razors. This comes in the small cardboard box with original letters, just the way I received it when I purchase the Lummus Collection of razors over forty years ago. According to the letters, this razor was auctioned in 1908 as the Duke Of Marlbough’s razor. It was purchased by George Butler & Company, the well known razor making firm in Sheffield. A 1930 handwritten letter, included in this lot, from Henry Lummus’ nephew describes how he acquired it, “I was fortunate recently, at a sale of Robert Belfitt’s”, managing director of G. Butler & Co., the razor manufacturers, to obtain the interesting little pocket razor which I herewith forward with all particulars for your approval.” It goes on to say, “You will notice that 22 years ago this article was sold at a sale by auction in London for 20/-, and its price today is 40/-.” Lummus’s nephew goes on to say in the 1930 letter, “I do not know whether one is justified in sending these interesting items out of the country. However that may be, I feel sure the razor could not be in any better hands than yours for future preservation.” Note: I have come to learn that we are all temporary custodians of all these interesting artifacts. Another short note from a “W. North” appears to be selling the razor for 25/- to “R. Belfitt.” It is interesting that Lummus received the Duke of Marlborough’s razor in early August of 1930 and that he wrote a letter on August 29th, 1930 to an attorney in Boston offering to add this historical razor to his collection that he was offering for sale. In the Letter, Lummus describes the provenance of the razor and ends with, “If the gentleman who has talked to you, buys my collection, he may have this also. Sincerely, H. Lummus.” Here is a link to the Wikipedia page for the Duke of Marlborough: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Churchill,_1st_Duke_of_Marlborough A wonderful one-of-a-kind historical razor with letters.

Boxed “Duke of Marlborough’s” Folding Razor from the Henry T. Lummus Collection with original letters providing provenance. The small, wedge blade is unmarked. The handle scales are known as “Select Horn,” one of the rarest handle materials found on razors. This comes in the small cardboard box with original letters, just the way I received it when I purchase the Lummus Collection of razors over forty years ago. According to the letters, this razor was auctioned in 1908 as the Duke Of Marlbough’s razor. It was purchased by George Butler & Company, the well known razor making firm in Sheffield. A 1930 handwritten letter, included in this lot, from Henry Lummus’ nephew describes how he acquired it, “I was fortunate recently, at a sale of Robert Belfitt’s”, managing director of G. Butler & Co., the razor manufacturers, to obtain the interesting little pocket razor which I herewith forward with all particulars for your approval.” It goes on to say, “You will notice that 22 years ago this article was sold at a sale by auction in London for 20/-, and its price today is 40/-.” Lummus’s nephew goes on to say in the 1930 letter, “I do not know whether one is justified in sending these interesting items out of the country. However that may be, I feel sure the razor could not be in any better hands than yours for future preservation.” Note: I have come to learn that we are all temporary custodians of all these interesting artifacts. Another short note from a “W. North” appears to be selling the razor for 25/- to “R. Belfitt.” It is interesting that Lummus received the Duke of Marlborough’s razor in early August of 1930 and that he wrote a letter on August 29th, 1930 to an attorney in Boston offering to add this historical razor to his collection that he was offering for sale. In the Letter, Lummus describes the provenance of the razor and ends with, “If the gentleman who has talked to you, buys my collection, he may have this also. Sincerely, H. Lummus.” Here is a link to the Wikipedia page for the Duke of Marlborough: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Churchill,_1st_Duke_of_Marlborough A wonderful one-of-a-kind historical razor with letters.

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