Description

These two straight edge razors belonged to John E. Wilkins, a Civil War soldier from Vigo County, Indiana. a) One razor has the maker's name engraved on the shank of the blade, "W. H. Morley & Sons, Clover [four-leaf clover] Brand." Engraved on the reverse side is "Germany." "Hollow ground" is engraved on the blade. This blade has a barber's notch as the point style. b) The second razor has "P. H. . Cam" engraved on the shank of the blade and has a square point style. Both razors fold into the celluloid handles to which they are attached. The razors were stored in a c) wooden box labeled on top as "Silver Steel Razors." For more information see the curated grouping, "A Civil War Soldier: John E. Wilkins of Vigo County, Indiana" on the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection website at http://www.lincolncollection.org/collection/curated-groupings/category/john-e-wilkins/ Several more items from Wilkins' military service are in this collection: Zouave jacket, 71.2009.082.0522; Officer's sash, 71.2009.082.0700; Epaulets, 71.2009.082.0715; Part of a sword belt, 71.2009.082.0716; Belt and buckle, 71.2009.082.0717; Mess kit spoon, 71.2009.082.0719; Civil War blanket pin, 71.2009.082.0718; Wadsworth Pipe razor, 71.2009.082.0720a-c; Crepe worn during Lincoln's funeral events, 71.2009.082.0048; John E. Wilkins photograph taken later in life, LN-2595; 1855 Indiana State Fair ribbon, 71.2009.082.0208; 1860 Indiana State Fair ribbon, 71.2009.082.0209; Three volume diary and other paper artifacts are housed at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum