Antique 1900 Patent Gem Cutlery Junior Razor Original Travel Case. The razor is fine condition, the box case has typical age wear but is fairly solid & sturdy, no razor blades are included. See detailed photos.
The American Safety Razor Company, also known as ASR, is a leading manufacturer of shaving products, including safety razors, disposable razors, and shaving cream. Founded in 1906, the company has a rich history that spans over a century, and has played a significant role in shaping the shaving industry.
The ASR was originally established as the Gem Safety Razor Company, with headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. The company's founder, Jerry Reichard, was a skilled metallurgist and engineer who had a vision for a new type of razor that would be safer and more efficient than the traditional straight razor.
After 23 years working for the Kampfe Brothers Jerry Reichard starts the Gem Cutlery Company in 1898. Its first product, the Gem Safety Razor, borrowed heavily from the Star Razor in design but soon outpaced the Star in sales.
Reichard's invention was the safety razor, which featured a guarded blade that reduced the risk of cuts and nicks while shaving. The safety razor quickly gained popularity among men, who embraced it as a safer and more convenient alternative to the straight razor. In 1919, the Gem Safety Razor Company merged with the Ever-Ready Company to form the American Safety Razor Company. The new company continued to innovate and expand its product line, introducing new safety razors and disposable razors that were increasingly efficient and user-friendly.