Gillette Silver-Plated Pocket Edition Razor Case
Vanity Set (Gentleman's Shaving Accessory / Razor Case) · Gillette Safety Razor Company, Boston, USA. Founded by King C. Gillette in 1901. This specific case was often manufactured for Gillette by reputable metalworkers like the American Button Company.
Pattern: Pocket Edition (Diamond Logo Series). Introduced circa 1908-1909 and produced into the 1920s.
Type
Vanity Set (Gentleman's Shaving Accessory / Razor Case)
Maker
Gillette Safety Razor Company, Boston, USA. Founded by King C. Gillette in 1901. This specific case was often manufactured for Gillette by reputable metalworkers like the American Button Company.
Material
Silver-plated brass. Common for these sets was a Triple Silver Plate finish over a brass base metal. No solid sterling silver content is indicated by the stamps.
Dimensions
Standard Pocket Edition size: Approx. 4.5cm x 4cm x 1.5cm. Weight is approx. 50-70 grams (empty). Designed to fit a three-piece safety razor and a blade box.
Description
A classic example of early 20th-century grooming luxury, this Gillette Pocket Edition case represents the transition from straight razors to safety razors. Its silver-plated exterior gave it the prestige of jewelry, while its industrial stamping showcased the global reach of the Gillette brand. These cases were the height of masculine elegance during the Titanic era.
Key Features
The distinctive Gillette Diamond logo and 'Known the World Over' branding are the primary identifiers. The rectangular form with rounded corners is classic for the Pocket Edition series.
Material & Composition
Silver-plated brass. Common for these sets was a Triple Silver Plate finish over a brass base metal. No solid sterling silver content is indicated by the stamps.
Finish & Decoration
Polished silver finish with the iconic 'Diamond' Gillette logo. The logo features specific 'Trade Mark' text inside a diamond shape with the slogan 'Known the World Over'.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Gillette Diamond Logo, 'Trade Mark' within the diamond, and 'KNOWN THE WORLD OVER' stamped horizontally across the case bottom. No sterling (.925) or assay marks are present, confirming silver plate.
Construction Details
Die-struck and machine-pressed brass. The case features a spring-loaded hinge and a latch mechanism. Often lined with velvet or silk inside (not visible in image).
Functional Features
Hinged lid with a press-fit clasp designed to securely hold safety razor components during travel. Compact, sleek design for vest pockets.
Handle & Grip Details
Smooth exterior surfaces for easy pocket retrieval; the interior would have originally featured formed wire or metal clips to secure the razor handle.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality machine die-work. The stamping is deep and legible, showing the precision of early 20th-century American manufacturing.
Authentication Indicators
The crispness of the stamp and the specific font of the 'Gillette' script match original factory tooling. Proportions and hinge design are consistent with early 1900s American production.
Origin & Manufacturing
USA (likely Boston, MA or Newark, NJ for the metalwork). Reflects American industrial mass-production quality of the early 1900s.
Era & Period
Edwardian / Early 20th Century (1900-1920). Industrial design focused on the 'modern' man’s mobility and grooming.
Age Estimate
Circa 1910-1915. The 'Known the World Over' slogan and logo style are indicative of this high-production pre-WWI era.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of luxury and the rise of the 'Disposable' economy, as Gillette sold the cases/handles cheap to profit on the recurring sale of blades.
Condition Notes
Good condition. There is visible 'brassing' (wear-through of the silver plating showing the yellow brass beneath) on the corners and edges. Light surface scratches and oxidation consistent with age.
Value Estimate
$30 - $60 USD for the case alone; $100 - $250 if it contains the original matching silver-plated razor and blade boxes in excellent condition.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild non-abrasive silver cream (like Wright's) but use extreme caution. Because it is silver-plated, over-polishing will remove the remaining silver layer and reveal more brass.
Similar Pieces
Gillette Khaki Set (WWI military issue in canvas), ABC (American Button Company) Scroll Pattern cases, and the later gold-plated 'Aristocrat' models.
Interesting Facts
Gillette became a household name largely because they supplied millions of these sets to US soldiers during World War I, standardizing the clean-shaven look in America.