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King Gillette Re: Jeweled Razors + Bookplates, Scarce Signed and Autographed Letter

 

Two page autograph letter signed on the recto and verso of a single leaf, 7" x 11". Dated "April 13, 1929", and signed "King Gillette". Extensively written on both sides. Fine condition. Accompanied by a 6" x 8" card depicting an engraving of an angel/resembling a baby, holding a razor and boasting a top hat with the date of 1920 emblazoned on the crown. To the left is the ownership name of "FC Blank" with the date of "January 14". Gillette's symbol is along the lower edge. Also accompanied by a lightly scuffed black and white print of King Gillette, 3.5" x 6.5".

 

Inventor of the safety razor, and founder of Gillette fantastic autographed letter, King Gillette writes to Frederick Charles Blank (F.C. Blank), one of his employees who engraved the gold presentation razors for Gillette, and who also designed engraved bookplates. King Gillette's letter discusses a particular jeweled razor design in addition to also discussing the designs for his personal bookplates. Gillette was known for his personal attention to detail and took tremendous pride in the development of both his bookplates and razors. His letter is shown in part below:

 

"I want to thank you for your work on the Dr. Mullikan Razor set - It certainly was a most appropriate and beautiful design - and wonderfully executed. It certainly done you great credit for your artistic talent - when I see the Dr. I shall take particular pains to draw his attention to your work - …

 

I will be in Boston May 14 and remain nearly a week - during which time I promise that we will settle the Bookplate- so you will not be in such uncertainty as to what to do.

 

Again I want to thank you for the very beautiful razor for Dr. Mullikan - which to me - looks too much like a handsome piece of jewelry - to be for shaving …"

 

Star safety razor blades were made from forged steel and required frequent sharpening: "stropping" at home with a leather belt and then, eventually, "honing" at the barber or cutler. The next development in shaving technology was not about increasing safety, then, so much as convenience, and about exploiting the attractive economics of disposability. King C. Gillette's innovation was selling cheap blades that could be used a few times and then thrown away; that is, "no stropping, no honing" would be required. With the technical assistance of the inaptly named William E. Nickerson, he developed an ultra-thin, double-edged blade, stamped from inexpensive sheet steel, and he applied for a patent in 1901.

 

It wasn't until the First World War, however, that Gillette became a market leader. His designs took off as did his marketing campaigns as his razor became a household name.

 

A fantastic set. Signed autographed letters by King Gillette are seldom encountered, with this one having a wonderful association!

 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

 

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