Civil War-period officer's grooming kit identified to W.M. Canby. 1860.
Sale 964 - The Civil War Collection of James C. Frasca
Nov 12, 2021
10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati
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Estimate
$250 -
350
Price Realized
$344
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
Civil War-period officer's grooming kit identified to W.M. Canby. 1860.
Original green Moroccan leather case lined with silk, inscribed on the front lock plate, “W.M. Canby / 1860," with accompanying key (tear in the leather cover, but condition overall good). Inside, small straight pins spell the initials ”W M C.” The personal valet or grooming set has two layers which hold a shaving brush; two toothbrushes marked “improved” with a Queen’s crown marking in a bone container with drainage holes; a strop with a “Mechi’s Magic Strop” label on it; a glass liniment bottle with a screw cap measuring 1 x 5 x 1/2 in.; two straight razors; a silver container with a bar of soap and a small chamois-like cloth; and two brushes (one for grooming and one for hair). One razor is marked “Joseph Warmer / Mecia Works / Sheffield”; the other
is labeled “Mechi inventor of the magic strop and paste / Leadenhall St.” The shaving brush container has a label marked “Oxarrow.” A small envelope is also enclosed, marked “Rogers & Smith / Druggist / Cor. Clark & Adams Sts. / Chicago,” with “Ear Wipets” inscribed on it.
The Civil War Collection of James C. Frasca
Condition Report
Auction Specialist