Keith Estep explains in his The Shaving Mug and Barber Bottle Book (1995) that to boost mug sales, an innovative idea emerged: personalizing each mug with an individual’s name elegantly printed in gold script. These exquisite mugs, crafted from high-quality china, were imported from Europe. The personalization process took place at the barber’s supply distributor, adding a special connection to the community. For each mug a customer ordered, the barber would earn a commission, creating a win-win situation for everyone involved.
It was likely the barber, Estep notes, who recognized the value of a mug featuring a trade design, creating a way for customers to connect with their professions. By the 1880s, leading barber shop distributors had established decorating departments dedicated to crafting these trade design mugs. Alongside these, they also produced elegant floral patterns and mugs showcasing fraternal emblems.
I am not a serious collector, but I like attractive, brightly colored mugs lined up on top of my bookshelves. If a mug has a person’s name on it, I am particularly interested in discovering information about the owner.