Safety Razor Stropper and Lighter

Object/Artifact

-

New Museum Los Gatos

Name/Title

Safety Razor Stropper and Lighter

Entry/Object ID

NU 2021.189.1-2

Description

A metal, vaguely oval safety razor stropper. The stropper has three holes on the top, and two on the bottom. One hole is empty, one has a cranking handle that partially comes out of the bottom, and one has a razor blade that ejects out of the top. The shiny metal cover is removable, revealing the sharpening mechanism within. The lighter is cream-colored and shaped like a bowling pin, and comes apart in the middle, revealing the brass lighting mechanisms within.

Collection

History Collection, Sullivan Collection

Cataloged By

registrar@numulosgatos.org

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Twinplex Sales Company, KEM Inc.

Date made

circa 1920 - circa 1950

Time Period

20th Century

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Makers Mark

Location

Back, flat side of stropper

Transcription

Twinplex Sales Company / ST. LOUIS, MO. / MADE IN U.S.A.

Language

English

Material/Technique

Etched

Type

Inscription

Location

Inside of metal cover

Transcription

FOREIGN PATENTS / ISSUED OR PENDING / MAY-27-1919 / U.S.A. PATENTS / MAY-31-1910 / APR.-13-1915 / DEC.-11-1917 / MAY-27-1919 / MAR.-23-1920

Language

English

Material/Technique

Etched

Type

Makers Mark

Location

On razor blade

Transcription

TWINPLEX SALES CO / SWITZERLAND / HAND TEMPERED / HAND FINISHED LECOULTRE / TWINPLEX SALES CO.

Language

English

Material/Technique

Etched, Ink

Type

Makers Mark

Location

Bottom of lighter

Transcription

KEM INC. / DETROIT, MICH. / PAT. PEND.

Language

English

Material/Technique

Embossed

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Tertiary Object Term

Strop

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Sharpener, Razor

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Product, Shaving

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Lighter

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Hair Care Objects

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Smoking & Recreational Drug Equipment

Nomenclature Class

Toilet Articles

Nomenclature Class

Personal Gear

Nomenclature Category

Category 03: Personal Objects

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

Number Type

Old Object Number

Other Number

825D

Dimensions

Height

2-7/8 in

Width

3 in

Depth

2 in

Dimension Notes

For NU 2021.189.1

Height

2-7/8 in

Circumference

2-3/4 in

Dimension Notes

For NU 2021.189.2

Material

Metal, Plastic

Condition

Overall Condition

Fair

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

James H. Sullivan

Notes

Owner/Donor