44 MARCH 2020 By Tom Helms Barbershops at the turn of the 20th century were home to many unique shaving mugs that were personalized to depict occupations, hobbies, fraternal organizations and pictures of barbershop owners. Today these mugs are highly desirable and difficult to find, and some can be worth up to several hundred dollars. These porcelain mugs look similar to traditional ceramic blank mugs mass produced in Germany, England and France. A barbershop could have an impressive and diverse collection of occupational shaving mugs on its shelves depending on the clients who patronized the shop and the prestige of the shop’s clientele. Many mugs had hand-painted images relating to a client’s occupation, such as a hearse for an undertaker, eyeglasses for an eye doctor and a locomotive for a train conductor. Currently, mugs depicting a dentist, motorcycle and a fireman have brought in more than $500 each. However, most mugs sell for under a $100. Barbershops acquired a large collection of shaving mugs for sanitary reasons. There was no sharing of shaving mugs, shaving brushes or even the same cake of soap from the mug of one customer to another. This practice helped stave off the dreaded “barber’s itch,” a highly contagious fungal infection stemming from barbers who used the same straight edge razor, soap cup and shaving brush for each customer. Not only are mugs collectable, but antique and vintage shaving brushes are also popular. Their value ranges from $5 to $50. Straight edge razors are also a part of that collection. The first steel razors with fancy handles and hollow blades were invented by Sheffield in the 18th and 19th centuries that became the model for generations of future makers. They were badly and crudely made and tough to keep sharp. The current market for barbershop collectibles remains strong, especially to the knowledgeable enthusiast, and the value of these personalized pieces continues to grow. — For questions or inquiries: Contact Tom Helms at The123@cox.net or A-Z Appraisal & Estate Consultants; 5525 N. 12th St., Phoenix, AZ 85014; email damshill@yahoo.com. Barbershop mugs: a wealth of information ASK THE APPRAISERS PHOTO COURTESY OF CCK PHOTOGRAPHY 50,000 . Favorite Spaces • PAGE 4 With the real estate and remodeling business going strong, it’s the ideal time to advertise your business to Arcadia homeowners. SPRING • SUMMER • WINTER Release date: May 1 2020 Home & Design Guide · Special pull-out section in Arcadia News . · Featuring home-related content and advertising. · A go-to guide for Arcadia’s discriminating homeowners. Contact Roni Mier at roni@arcadianews.com or 602-840-6379. Don’t forget! The deadline is: Wednesday, April 15, 2020 Christ Lutheran School Preschool - Grade 8 • www.clsphx.org LC-MS Worship Sunday 8am & 10:45am – Traditional* Sunday 8:30am & 10:30am – Contemporary* Sunday School/Bible Classes – 9:40am* | Sunday 12:30pm – Spanish Saturday 5pm – Contemporary *Nursery Care is available at all Sunday AM services For information on Youth Group activities, visit our website! 3901 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix | www.cclphoenix.org | (602) 955-4830 LOVE GROW SERVE
PLATINUM SPONSOR GOLD SPONSORS BRONZE SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS TEAM TAYLOR FAMILY 5K FUN RUN • SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2020 8:00 AM • RUN, WALK OR STROLL • AFTER PARTY AT O.H.S.O. www.TeamTaylorAZ.com Be part of Team Taylor for this ninth annual Arcadia fundraiser. We have raised over a million dollars for SIDS researchers, grief support and education with the hope that every child celebrates his or her first birthday. Visit our website to register or to learn more about What We Do , Why We Do It and How You Can Help . FACE PAINTING • MEDALS • RAFFLES • AWARDS • REFRESHMENTS EXETER LAFAYETTE 54TH ST 46TH ST ARCADIA DR FINISH START GREG H O Y T REBECCA C L A Y T O N & MALDONADO F A M I L Y