Strangest coolest thing I ever bought

[ChiefBenderForever]

Circa 1910 Chief Benders personalized shaving kit. Wondering if these were given to all players or if they had to special order them. Supposedly this was used by Chief Bender daily in his hey day with the A's and comes from a big estate sale from sometime in the 90's from Hunts.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u284/JOHNNYHARMONICA/bender1.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u284/JOHNNYHARMONICA/bender2.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u284/JOHNNYHARMONICA/bender3.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u284/JOHNNYHARMONICA/bender4.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u284/JOHNNYHARMONICA/c1910AsBaseballCHIEFBENDERGilletteG.jpg

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u284/JOHNNYHARMONICA/bender.jpg

[Robextend]

Wow, I am blown away by that item. I think that is awesome....great pickup!!

[ChiefBenderForever]

Thanks Rob ! It's really cool but also kind of weird in a strange sort of way. It came from a huge Athletics collector in Philly, he has Bender's wallet, drivers license, and other things that belonged to Bender. It's a very strange piece to say the least but I am very happy to have it for my Bender collection !!

[Robextend]

Definitely!!

As a fellow player collector myself, any kind of personal effects are a great add. But for some reason, I am with you on this one...it is out there, but a totally cool piece.

[mr2686]

I understand what you mean by kinda weird...but it is definitely cool at the same time. Something I would want in my collection, for sure!

[ChiefBenderForever]

It's also a great piece of Americana history, I never thought I would be researching King Gillette and the history of shaving razors but it has been very interesting. They sure don't make things like they used to, and to see Made In the USA is great. This thing weighs a ton and is rock solid. Intersting info on King Gillette-

On November 15, 1904, patent #775,134 was granted to King C. Gillette for a safety 'razor'. King Camp Gillette was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in 1855. To support himself when the family’s home was destroyed in the Chicago Fire of 1871, Gillette became a traveling salesman. This work led him to William Painter, the inventor of the disposable Crown Cork bottle cap, who assured Gillette that a successful invention was one that was purchased over and over again by satisfied customer.

In 1895, after several years of considering and rejecting possible inventions, Gillette suddenly had a brilliant idea while shaving one morning. It was an entirely new razor and blade that flashed in his mind—a razor with a safe, inexpensive, and disposable blade.

It took six years for Gillette’s idea to evolve. During that time, technical experts told Gillette that it would be impossible to produce steel that was hard, thin, and inexpensive enough for commercial development of the disposable razor blade. Then in 1901, MIT graduate William Nickerson agreed to try.

By 1903, he had succeeded. Production of the Gillette ® safety razor and blade began as the Gillette Safety Razor Company started operations in South Boston. Sales grew steadily. During World War I, the U.S. Government issued Gillette safety razors to the entire armed forces. By the end of the war, some 3.5 million razors and 32 million blades were put into military hands, thereby converting an entire nation to the Gillette safety razor.

[base_ball]

Fabulous! These are perhaps the finest—and earliest--items relating to Gillette’s long history with baseball, from Chief Bender at the beginning of the 20th Century to Jeter at beginning of the 21st.

[Ease]

That set is unbelievable! Great pickup man, such a unique thing and looks to be pristine. Wow:eek:

[Ladder7]

Terrific marketing for the company and a great piece to own!.. For a Southie kid, it was considered a huge break to secure a "career" down at the Gillette plant. They really pampered their employees and paid great back then.

[lharri3600]

wow johnny,
where in the world did you find that?? FANTASTIC:cool:

[lharri3600]

OK I READ WHERE IT CAME FROM:o

wow johnny,
where in the world did you find that?? FANTASTIC:cool:

[thekingofclout]

Absolutely terrific piece Johnny! I just love that kind of stuff. Thanks so much for sharing!

Best, Jimmy