Working up a Lather: Collecting Shaving Mugs

Farrier or blacksmith occupational shaving mug

One of those literary moments that always stuck with me is from A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, when the Nolan family, on the way home from Johnny’s funeral, stops so Francie can pick up her father’s mug from the barbershop.  I always remembered that scene, because his mug is one of the few things he’s left behind, and I was surprised years later when I discovered that shaving mugs are still highly prized and very collectible!

Of course, John Nolan’s mug was a simple one with just his name, a form that was and is very common.  They’re fairly affordable, and common names are easily found – they make a great gift!  The highest prices in shaving mugs are commanded by what collectors call “occupational” shaving mugs.  These mugs are decorated with the owner’s name, but also have some illustration of the owner’s profession.  Obviously, certain occupations appear more frequently, like the blacksmith pictured above, making them less valuable, but no less interesting.  Price is also affected by condition, as the names were usually applied in gilt, gradually rubbing off with repeated use.  Big prices are commanded by mugs with great illustrations of unusual professions, such as the driver of a horse-drawn ambulance, a carousel operator or a ship painter!

-Hollie Davis, Senior Editor, p4A.com