Toy Shaving Set
Historic Owner
Philip R. Coyle III
Association
USS Growler (SSG-577)
DateApril 1959–October 1961
PeriodCold War
Mediumpaper, plastic
ClassificationsRecreational Artifacts
Credit LineCollection of the Intrepid Museum. Gift of Philip R. Coyle. 2019.30a-i.
Object number2019.30a-i
DescriptionSet, Play; Square toy shaving set box (a) containing a plastic razor handle (b), a plastic shaving brush (c), a disc of soap (d), a bottle of aftershave (e), a paper box (f) containing two cardboard razorblades (g,h), and one Christmas tag with handwritten note (i).a) Toy shaving set box - The top facing side of the flap of the box has text that reads “My Merry // Shaving // Set // safe and harmless” within a blue hexagon on a yellow background. On proper left sits a cartoon boy with brown hair, a red shirt, red shorts, white socks and black shoes, with shaving cream on his cheeks, yellow shaving razor in his right hand, holding a mirror with stand in his left hand, a shaving brush sitting to his left filled with shaving cream, a black and red box of “Gem // Blades // Double Edge” razors, a green bottle with yellow cap and a brown bowl are sitting at his feet. “Copyright 1957 By Merry MFG. Co.” printed at bottom. Edges and back of the box are red. Text that reads “just like dad’s” printed on one edge of box. When the flap is opened, it reveals the same text and image as seen on the top facing side of the flap, but with an added printed seal with ribbon that says "Commended // By The // Consumer // Service Bureau // of // Parents // Magazine // As Advertised Therein". Inside the box are five compartments containing the pieces of the toy shaving set.
b) Razor handle - Yellow plastic razor handle has a slot at the top to insert cardboard razor blades. The handle portion has vertical fluting.
c) Shaving brush - Plastic shaving brush has a red handle with a bulbous end and clear plastic bristles.
d) Soap - Round, pink disc of soap depicts smiling cartoon boy with hair parted to the side in relief on the center.
e) Bottle - Clear, waisted plastic bottle tapers toward yellow plastic screw-on cap. “Merry // After // Shave” printed on white rectangular label on front. Red residue inside bottle.
f) Razor box - Black box with red stripe along bottom reads “Gem // Blades // Singledge”. Inner tab of box reads "Ever-Ready // the Quality // Shaving Brush".
g,h) Razor blades - Inside the razor box (f) are two cardboard razor blades with a razor blade design printed on one side that reads "Made // Gem // In U.S.A" and plain cardboard on the other.
i) Gift tag - Green paper Christmas tag with a picture of a poinsettia flower and "At Christmas" printed above a handwritten "Killer Coyle" in blue ink on the front. On the back handwritten in blue ink in cursive is “Killer, to shave your // beard off when you // get back to Pearl. // Baker”.
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