1931-1935 Gillette French Goodwill Empire Set

Discussion in 'Safety Razors' started by IAmTheJody, Jul 14, 2021.

  1. IAmTheJody

    IAmTheJody Gillette-i Master Staff Member

    Made in England and imported for sale in the French market... Rescued from a little antique shop here in Mississippi. Of course I had to buy it!

    Not perfect plating but perfect to me.

    IMG_20210714_104445_resize_13.jpg

    IMG_20210714_104541_resize_83.jpg IMG_20210714_104445_resize_13.jpg IMG_20210714_104610_resize_71.jpg IMG_20210714_104626_resize_64.jpg IMG_20210714_104642_resize_24.jpg IMG_20210714_104905_resize_79.jpg IMG_20210714_104847_resize_70.jpg IMG_20210714_104804_resize_42.jpg IMG_20210714_104716_resize_55.jpg IMG_20210714_104733_resize_52.jpg IMG_20210714_104943_resize_75.jpg IMG_20210714_105020_resize_96.jpg IMG_20210714_104300~2_resize_92.jpg IMG_20210714_104327_resize_50.jpg IMG_20210714_104401_resize_30.jpg IMG_20210714_104419_resize_51.jpg

    Achim's @mr-razor set for reference... His is a different pattern on the case.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Jorvaljr

    Jorvaljr Operation Daytona 8000

    Awesome! I think mine is the same as yours… lol i think. Maybe consider getting replated in nickel.


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  3. IAmTheJody

    IAmTheJody Gillette-i Master Staff Member

    Such a rare set, I'm going to leave it as is and let it rest in the display cabinet. :happy088:
     
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  4. Jayaruh

    Jayaruh The Cackalacky House Pet

    Supporting Vendor
    I only have one Goodwill, and it is the French Goodwill Empire Set. I like it a lot, too.
    [​IMG]
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  5. IAmTheJody

    IAmTheJody Gillette-i Master Staff Member

    Awesome set! I need to find me one kd those specific bright green "New Gillette Blade" blades to complete my set. Does it say made in England or made in France on your blade wrapper? Is that a single blade or is it a packet?
     
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  6. brit

    brit in a box

    i have the same set.nice shaver.worth giving a test drive. 20190901_112454 (2)_edited.jpg 20210306_115846_edited1.jpg
     
  7. brit

    brit in a box

    awesome set.that should polish up just fine..silver plate is tarnished:cool:
     
  8. IAmTheJody

    IAmTheJody Gillette-i Master Staff Member

    Thanks Gary! I might give it the aluminum foil, hot water, baking soda treatment for the tarnish but it's a collector's piece. Not going to shave with it. I had the same set several years ago and did give it a test run shave back then. To me, it's pretty much just like any other long comb New and I have used my fair share of those.
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2021
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  9. brit

    brit in a box

    mr.razors set could be an earlier set,his razor also says made in england.i understand france later required some recognition on the razor hence the Importe' D'Angleterre on the later baseplates.These were deemed "goodwill" sets but were for sale and not giveaways like the u.s/canadian ones.
     
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  10. Jayaruh

    Jayaruh The Cackalacky House Pet

    Supporting Vendor
    The blade says "Made in USA" on the wrapper and in French it says imported from United States and D 4 (1933) on the blade itself. The razor was made in England. It says British Patent Numbers and importé d'Angleterre on the bottom.
    Edit: the blade is a single blade. no packet.

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  11. GatorJoe

    GatorJoe Well-Known Member

    Use it! But that’s what I always say (and do).
     
  12. Old School

    Old School *$&%@#~

    Supporting Vendor
    Neat little set!
     
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  13. romsitsa

    romsitsa Well-Known Member

    These sets (razor, case and one blade) were "New" sets sold at the regular price. British a French Goodwill sets were in cardboard boxes with a pack of blades for the price of 10 blades, just like the US ones.
     
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  14. mr-razor

    mr-razor Well-Known Member

    my british GoodWill Empire set comes with 3 NEW blades. The blades are without datecode, but the style of blade notches looks like 1932 or 1933:

    Empire.jpg
     
  15. brit

    brit in a box

    good to know..:):eatdrink047:
     
  16. IAmTheJody

    IAmTheJody Gillette-i Master Staff Member

    Beautiful set Achim! Thank you for sharing.
     
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  17. Jorvaljr

    Jorvaljr Operation Daytona 8000

    Here is mine but its English market
    IMG_8335.jpg
    IMG_8337.jpg


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  18. IAmTheJody

    IAmTheJody Gillette-i Master Staff Member

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  19. brit

    brit in a box

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  20. romsitsa

    romsitsa Well-Known Member

    That is a pretty confusing set Achim.
    Genuine was the Old type after the patents expired, seemingly they simply used the old box and shipper with the New razor and blades.
     
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