Strop

Object/Artifact

-

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

Strop

Entry/Object ID

SS.63.81

Description

Razor strop, in case: mahogany slat, with ovoid-shaped handle; one face arched, one flat; both faces, sides, and end covered with leather; at handle end, steel-bound compartment on arched face contains reddish brown sharpening compound (in rather hard solid form); thin green leather flap covers compound receptable, and adjacent area; strop housed in dark brown leather case, a sort of sheath fitted to strop shape; on case front, white paper label, engraved with American eagle, shield, arrows, olive branch and "E Pluribus Unum" emblem and: "DIRECTIONS FOR USING THE GENUINE EMERSON'S ELASTIC RAZOR STROP;/Which, by its elastic power, is sure to act with regularity, and by its peculiar property, revive the edge of your Razor./(Pointing hand) If your Razor is dull, strop it first on the brown side; if it has a wiry edge, drawing it frequently on the thumb-nail, while stropping, is the best way to determine/when it becomes smooth; then strop it on the dark side, which will give your Razor an exceedingly keen, smooth edge. If your Razor is new, or newly set, the dark side/only need be used. When your strop becomes dry through age, a few drops of sperm or lamp oil, rubbed on with the finger, will be useful to soften it, and thereby destroy/the gloss. To make this Strop more convenient, a box of Superior Composition is fixed on the handle, sufficient to keep it in good order for many years. This is to be/moistened with oil, and spread on the brown side of your Strop, very thin and smooth, once in ten or twelve months; and when the Strop becomes coated, the old dressing/should be wiped off, before the new is laid on...(hand pointing)".

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Benjamin F. Badger

Attribution

Maker

Date made

1855

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Transcription

See description

Other Names and Numbers

Other Number

SE SP 7924 A

Dimensions

Dimension Description

In case

Width

1-3/4 in

Depth

3/4 in

Length

14-3/8 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 1 3/4 x 3/4 x 14 3/8 in. (4.4 x 1.9 x 36.5 cm)

Material

Mahogany, Steel, Leather, Paper

Condition

Notes

Remarks: Details of condition: Excellent (almost new). Treated with oil, PS, 12/27/62.

General Notes

Note Type

Curatorial Remarks

Note

One of original pair; $18 the pair

Note Type

StorageNote

Note

Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Sunnyside, Ebenezer Irving's Bedroom