Part 1 of a continuing series. The first instance of Gillette using this brand name is in 1914 and from 1914 - 1922 Gillette produced sets under this name which always came in an ivory type case with gold or silver plated razors. They produced these with 3 distinct style of razors during this time period. Bell tube handle 1914 - 1917/1918*,** Single Ring handle 1918/1919 - 1920* New improved razor 1921 - 1922*** *It is unclear if they sold the bell tube style handle in 1918 in the US but they did still sell them in Canada ** the handles, bell tube or single ring both have Pat.Nov.15.04 on the lower ring of the handle. I have one that says Pat.Nov.13.04 which is either a unique to the bell tube handle models or a mistake and is stamped wrong. *** The new improved razors can be distinguished as Aristocrats by the marking Pat.Jan.3.1920 on the lower portion of the handle. 1914 - 1917/1918 First instance of this razor being sold Ad from the San Francisco Examiner Oct. 16th 1914 Last known instance of a bell tube handle sold in the US. Unclear if they still sold them this way in 1918 in the US also. Ad from the Philadelphia Inquirer Dec. 20th 1917 See full page ad attachment. Problems resizing ad to attach. Last known instance of the bell tube handle sold in Canada Ad from the Ottawa Journal May 9th 1918 1918/1919 - 1920 Last instance of the old type Ad from the Salt Lake Telegram Nov. 16th 1920 In 1921 they switch over to the new and improved style razor. Full page ad attached. Ad from The Salt Lake Tribune Mar. 16th 1921 Final instance Ad from the San Bernadino Country Sun Dec. 13th 1922 After this point the Aristocrat brand disappears except in cases of special high end sets not necessarily available to the general public until 1934 when it reappears as the first one piece razor Gillette produces. Part 2 containing the 1pc Aristocrats here https://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/us-gillette-aristocrat-tto-timeline.61682/
All US New improveds carry Pat.Jan.3.1920, it's the New improved patent. Aristocrat sets are gold plated standard razors in the faux ivory cases. Adam
