I did not want to hijack Whitehorse' thread, as such I thought a second thread the best answer. I have a few razor cases that are in bad shape both inside and out. If I were to try and repair the lining and the case, how would this affect the value of the sets. I do not collect as an investment or to resell for profit. I am more interested in a "shaver" than a "collector" piece. However I would hate to really screw up a very valuable set. So what ye gentlemen, repair the original box to better than when I got it or leave it as is?
That really depends on the condition, and the case in question. If the case is not valuable in it's current condition, you might as well make it look prettier if that would make you feel better about it.
Ah, and there in lies the rub. As a for instance, I recently received these two Ever Ready Travel razors. The razors are in fair to good condition as are the boxes. As my original intent is to keep at least one of them, perhaps gifting the other and the fact is they are not overly valuable to most people at this time, I would probably opt to reline both. This would allow me to have a nice travelling razor and a nice gift for a friend. However if they were from the turn of the century, I would be less inclined to reline the boxes. But if the case were in pieces, then I probably would attempt to repair it. I guess the real question is just how much does the case add to the value of the set, no matter how bad the condition. Just some of the many odd thoughts that I have.
I would tend to leave the case as is unless you just want something new and clean. I like the historical aspect of having it just as it came to me.
At first I thought you meant reattaching or leaving it loose. But I see in the pics it appears that it's already attached well. So I'm going to assume you mean to tear out and replace with a new fabric. Personally, there's no way I would ever do that, whether I plan to keep it or not. But that's just me. I would just reattach any loose areas and give it a good cleaning as best I could. If it really bugs you and would make you a happier owner, by all means do it. Since they're not necessarily in collector mint condition anyway, I don't think you'd ruin the value. Anyone you sold it to would probably be buying it to use instead of show.
What?! Someone hijacked my thread? I'm telling! BTW, I decided to restore the case to mine. I think the main challenge will be finding a new material for the outside, being I have yet to have found a page covering the outside (and seriously, thanks for all your info bluemonkey. It gave me an idea for a new lining.) According to the genealogical charts my cousin made, and judging by the approximate date of the razor, my grandfather must have been nearing thirty years old when he bought it. He already had three children before 1921. Such an item would be an honor to one day pass down to my future son. Hopefully, this link will work for a picture of the razor: <a href="http://s526.photobucket.com/albums/cc344/burgerjohnson/?action=view¤t=IMAGE_063.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc344/burgerjohnson/IMAGE_063.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
