Rolls Razor
of Cricklewood Broadway, London, NW2.
1925-1927 The British patents were issued.
1927 Public company formed as Rolls Razor (1927)
1929 Name changed to Rolls Razor
1929 Patent - Improvements in the manufacture of bowls, pots, cups, boxes, cases, and other containers.
1929 Listed Exhibitor - late entry - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of the Rolls Razor, "The Hollow-ground Safety Razor which strops and hones itself". (Stand No. JP20) [1]
1930 A U.S. patent was issued.
The earliest models had a pebble-finish metal case.
Some came in a dark red pebble grain leatherette (probably over wood) case with a glove snap closure. The case design evolved to a pattern of parallel zig-zag lines.
Later razors had a 3-row Greek key design and with the "The Whetter" trademark near the end of the case.
The factory address was 255 Cricklewood Broadway, London, NW 2, with showrooms located at 197a, Regent Street, London, W1. The U.S. importer was Lee and Schiffer, East 44th Street, New York City.
By 1937 the U.S. distributor was Rolls Razor, Inc., 305 East 45th Street, New York.
By 1951 Rolls was also advertising the Viceroy Electric Dry Shaver, or, the ad said, if you have "no electricity... ask for the Viceroy non-electric mechanical dry shaver... Press the lever and shave!" The mechanical version was operated by repeatedly squeezing a lever on the handle.
1960 Stock market quotation withdrawn
1961 Precision engineers, manufacturing razors, repetition and assembly work and domestic appliances. 320 employees. [2]
1961 Formation of JV company with Charles Colston Group which would take over Colston's High Wycombe factory and make dishwashers, including those sold by Colston. The company also planned to open discount stores and was buying the Electromatic Washing Machine Co from Mr John Bloom[3]
1962 Public company
1963 Charles Colston resigned from the board; Rolls Razor sold its 50 percent of Rolls Colston to Charles Colston[4] in order to concentrate on other domestic appliances than dishwashers. At the end of the year Sir Charles rejoined the board[5].
1964 End of agreement with Pressed Steel to supply refrigerators and some washing machines; the Colston organisation would supply all the washing machines[6]
1964 Rolls Razor put into liquidation[7]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ 1929 British Industries Fair Page 198
- ↑ 1961 Dun and Bradstreet KBE
- ↑ The Times, Nov 14, 1961
- ↑ The Times, Jun 20, 1963
- ↑ The Times, Dec 13, 1963
- ↑ The Times, Mar 14, 1964
- ↑ The Times, Jul 18, 1964