Simpson Brushes Appreciation Thread
- Thread starter Boojum1
- Start date
Teiste
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I definitely like the shape of the original Rover better than the current one.
Oh the good old times.
Shaun2
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Here's a rare one: The AS2A in Best Badger. Mint. Date uncertain, but these Simpson boxes show up in vintage Simpson advertisements in the mid 1950s. Knot on this one is 21mm.
Simpson AS2A, c.1947-57
Simpson AS2A, c.1947-57
- 1941: Simpson's London factory destroyed in the Blitz, relocating production to Somerset and shifting decal labelling from "Made in London" to "Made in England". (Edit: see update a post or two below questioning this belief. Decals can be seen going back to late 1937 saying "Made in England")
- 1939–1945: British Industries Fair (BIF) was suspended due to WWII.
- 1947: BIF resumed, restoring the relevance of the "Simpsons Gold Medal and Grand Prix Shaving Brushes" accolades printed on the care leaflet seen in the presentation box above.
- 1957: BIF permanently closed.
- 1959: Simpson retired the two-piece presentation box.
- Conclusion: Cross-referencing the active BIF accolades (post-1947), and the closure of the fair (pre-1957) places the boxed set precisely within this 1947–1957 window.
- Let's split the difference and say 1952.
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Teiste
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That Keyhole is stunning
Shaun2
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As we know, Simpsons moved out of London when their Clapham factory was bombed during the blitz in 1941. Convention has it that prior to the blitz, all Simpson brushes were labelled "Made in London".
Here is a quote from Gary Young, great-nephew of Alexander Simpson, the original founder of Simpsons, asserting the conventionally-assumed truth:
"Afraid it is not a London made Simpson. If it was the decal would read 'Made in London' - this was changed to 'Made in England' after the move to Somerset."
So why do I mention this? Because I found an April 2, 1938 copy of The Hongkong Telegraph (and another from December 8, 1937) advertising Simpson brushes, depicting a brush with a decal saying "Made in England", i.e. before 1941.
So, if the decal says "Made in England", it can't be said that the brush must be post-London (post-1941) production. The evidence above is clear.
If the decal says "Made in London", then yes, it must be pre-1941, because that was where the brush was made.
One conclusion that can be drawn is that Simpsons, prior to 1941, were already beginning to expand globally, and labelling a brush "Made in England" carried more of an international appeal.
Coincidentally, The Hongkong Telegraph continued to advertise Simpson brushes until early 1941, just prior to the Japanese takeover. Bit of a double whammy for Simpson, I'd have thought.
No offence to anyone, least of all Simpsons, but verified documents beat memories. And it's important, at least in my view, to continue to review and sift through the facts as they come to light. An argumentum ad verecundiam just doesn't cut it.
Here is a quote from Gary Young, great-nephew of Alexander Simpson, the original founder of Simpsons, asserting the conventionally-assumed truth:
"Afraid it is not a London made Simpson. If it was the decal would read 'Made in London' - this was changed to 'Made in England' after the move to Somerset."
So why do I mention this? Because I found an April 2, 1938 copy of The Hongkong Telegraph (and another from December 8, 1937) advertising Simpson brushes, depicting a brush with a decal saying "Made in England", i.e. before 1941.
So, if the decal says "Made in England", it can't be said that the brush must be post-London (post-1941) production. The evidence above is clear.
If the decal says "Made in London", then yes, it must be pre-1941, because that was where the brush was made.
One conclusion that can be drawn is that Simpsons, prior to 1941, were already beginning to expand globally, and labelling a brush "Made in England" carried more of an international appeal.
Coincidentally, The Hongkong Telegraph continued to advertise Simpson brushes until early 1941, just prior to the Japanese takeover. Bit of a double whammy for Simpson, I'd have thought.
No offence to anyone, least of all Simpsons, but verified documents beat memories. And it's important, at least in my view, to continue to review and sift through the facts as they come to light. An argumentum ad verecundiam just doesn't cut it.
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Dj-Steved
Brush Addict
Thats a cracking example you have there Shaun, very nice!
Shaun2
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Ohh, the AS2A? Yes; it is a beauty. Know is a bit sparse-looking but mint/unused.
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Teiste
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This was a Persian Jar 3 from the David Carter era, featuring two-band Super Badger hair. It has now been labeled as Silvertip under current Simpson/Vulfix ownership.
I have never been particularly drawn to certain handle shapes like the PJ, Tulip, or the 50 Series. However, although I tried several of those brushes, I never kept any in my collection except for a vintage 58 (I’ll add pics later) in Best Badger.
Regarding badger hair grades and naming, two-band Super Badger was once considered just that—a Silvertip with unbleached tips, like the one I’m showing here. I remember a conversation with Gary Young where he explained to me how they achieved the "look" of what we call "two-band" badger, but I haven’t been able to find it yet (it might have been over on Shave My Face, but I haven't checked there).
Times have definitely changed, along with marketing, and now most two-band hair comes with ultra-bleached tips. Heck, even the three-band badger hair does!
No bueno...
I have never been particularly drawn to certain handle shapes like the PJ, Tulip, or the 50 Series. However, although I tried several of those brushes, I never kept any in my collection except for a vintage 58 (I’ll add pics later) in Best Badger.
Regarding badger hair grades and naming, two-band Super Badger was once considered just that—a Silvertip with unbleached tips, like the one I’m showing here. I remember a conversation with Gary Young where he explained to me how they achieved the "look" of what we call "two-band" badger, but I haven’t been able to find it yet (it might have been over on Shave My Face, but I haven't checked there).
Times have definitely changed, along with marketing, and now most two-band hair comes with ultra-bleached tips. Heck, even the three-band badger hair does!
No bueno...
Teiste
Forum GOD!
And this is a vintage 58, possibly from the early 1980s. It was a gift from a TSN member back in 2012, and he told me the brush was already 30 years old at the time.
It’s the only 50 Series I have kept, and the handle has always been my favorite—alongside, believe it or not, the 55 (a great little brush).
While I’ve considered having it reknotted, two issues are stopping me:
1.The hair is pure bliss. European badger hair? Could be. While it is as butterscotch-orange as the handle, the face feel is very similar—if not identical—to the old Plisson HWM 3-band hair. Those are big words.
2.The handle has seen better days, and I wonder if it would survive a reknotting without cracking further.
Anyway, a great brush from a great friend.
It’s the only 50 Series I have kept, and the handle has always been my favorite—alongside, believe it or not, the 55 (a great little brush).
While I’ve considered having it reknotted, two issues are stopping me:
1.The hair is pure bliss. European badger hair? Could be. While it is as butterscotch-orange as the handle, the face feel is very similar—if not identical—to the old Plisson HWM 3-band hair. Those are big words.
2.The handle has seen better days, and I wonder if it would survive a reknotting without cracking further.
Anyway, a great brush from a great friend.