Hi there! I’m so glad you stopped in today. I’m going to be talking about vintage scissors and why you might want to think about starting a collection. All of the examples you’ll see here today are in my personal collection–kind of an accidental one that has taken on a life of its own, LOL. All of these can typically be purchased for 50¢ to $1.00 at garage and estate sales and are worth between $5-20.00 apiece.
I learned that historians believe the earliest form of scissors were developed in prehistory and would have looked something like the sheep shearers of today.
Cross bladed scissors as we know them, date to the first century, but did not become commonly used until the Middle Ages. Through the 1700’s rivets were used to connect the blades (as seen above), after that, screws.
Each pair of scissors would have been hand-forged from iron until about 1840, after which molded steel began to replace the more costly process of making them one pair at a time.
Scissors come in all shapes and sizes and and are designed for a variety of different purposes, to cut hair, paper, fabric, or thread, for example, seamstresses, gardeners, and for use by children as seen here.
Sheffield, England
Because of its large iron ore deposits, Sheffield (England) was a mecca, as early as 1160, for cutlery producers. By the mid-1800’s, over 100 cutlery manufacturers operated out of Sheffield, filling an eager market with high quality knives and scissors.
1. The first pair of scissors (top) is marked “I. Mars Sheffield” along with a crown and the letters “V” and “R,” which would stand for Victoria Regina, or Queen Victoria. Items marked with a royal seal were akin to a stamp-of-approval from the monarch, letting buyers know how well-constructed and valuable such an item was.
The shape is certainly very interesting and the blades are held together with rivets, which usually indicates an older pair. Another clue: after 1877, Queen Victoria added an “I” to her mark because she had become Imperatrix, or Empress, of India. Any thoughts on their intended use?
2. In 1930, the Richartz brothers from Solingen (GER) opened what would be the largest cutlery factory in Sheffield. Before WWII, they anglicized their name to “Richards,” which is the name you see on the middle pair of scissors (above). Imperial, an American company, bought them out in the mid-70’s, but the plant closed in the mid-80’s.
3. The hair cutting scissors (bottom pair in photo above), signed “Carl Monhouse, Sheffield, England” and “Reblade, Alleghany, NY,” are a good example of what I call a hybrid scissor. Monkhouse immigrated to the US from Germany and established a cutlery company in Alleghany. There, he used blades imported from both Sheffield and Solingen, Germany (see below).
Solingen, Germany
Solingen (Germany), perhaps Sheffield’s most serious rival, also had a fine reputation as a source of quality cutlery. In fact, it was known in Northern Europe as the “City of the Blades,” and it remains the cutlery center of Germany to this day.
Interestingly, I read on Wikipedia, that a band of sword-smiths from the city broke their “guild oaths” in the late 1600’s and took their skills and technology with them to England(!).
These embroidery scissors, marked “WASA Solingen” are delicately decorated and lovely to cut with. WASA refers to a particular company in Solingen that has been manufacturing scissors for at least a century.
This dainty, 2 1/2″ pair, likely used for embroidery, is one of my favorites. I love it’s curves and how over-sized it’s finger holes appear. They are marked “Germany” on one side and “Western Shear Co.” on the other. Yet another pair of hybrid scissors.
Here are a pair of folding scissor signed “Westfield Shear Co, Germany”–another hybrid with blades from Germany and distribution by an American company.
American Scissor Manufacturing
Unsurprisingly, immigrants from both Sheffield (UK) and Solingen (GER) were primarily responsible for establishing the first cutlery businesses in America. Connecticut’s Naugatuck Valley, Newark (NJ) and Fremont (OH) became centers for scissor production in this country.
Griffon Cutlery Works
The sole mark on this pair of small scissors–“Griffon”–led me to the year 1888, when Albert Silberstein founded Griffon Cutlery Works in NYC, first on Broadway, then 5th Avenue. At 151 West Street, you can still see the remains of a sign painted on the brick exterior advertising “Griffon Shears & Scissors.”
Notably, Griffon maintained an outlet in Solingen (GER), leading me to think that perhaps Albert emigrated from Germany to the US with a strong cutlery background.
Clauss Shear Company, Fremont, OH
German brothers John and Henri Clauss founded the Clauss Shear Company in Fremont (CT) in 1877 (initially as the Elyria Shear Works). After a devastating fire, followed by a rebuild, they changed the name to Clauss Shear Company and became the world’s largest scissor manufacturer. They are still in business.
I learned while preparing this post that scissors measuring 8″ or more should technically be referred to as “shears.” Therefore, this blue handled pair are not scissors, they are shears.
Schnefel Bros. of Newark, NJ
The mark on this pair of scissors reads “Schnefel Bros. Germany” on one side and “La Cross, Newark, NJ” on the other. Finally, a name we all know and love(!).
Founded in 1903, Schenfel Bros. initially produced surgical instruments, almost exclusively. The Schnefel’s had extensive experience manufacturing and dealing in cutlery since they had been raised in the industry in their home city of Solingen (GER).
In 1931, they filed a trademark for the La Cross brand and began producing nail and cuticle implements that today, one can easily find in almost any drug store in America. Del Laboratories owns the division, which it integrated into its Sally Hansen line in 1994.
In my scissor-buying experience, I have come across many unmarked examples, like this pair of 10″shears. As with my tiny 2.5″ embroidery scissors (above), I love the proportions of this pair, with its blades that seem to go on forever.
A beginning scissor collector could focus on a brand, a city of manufacture, or even a color(!).
Or focus on function or style.
Or, follow my example and buy every pair you come across that’s priced under a dollar 🙂
They can be displayed on a wall (gallery style) or framed, as you see them here. [Note: last year I had great luck selling these framed versions from my Christmas craft fair booth.]
One of the perks of collecting scissors is that they are a small collectible, so they don’t threaten to overtake your home, as perhaps ironstone or artwork could. [Not that that’s happening at my house (cough, cough).]
Little pieces of history, scissors have a story to tell about industry, culture, style, and even genealogy, if you are fortunate enough to have inherited a pair or two from an ancestor.
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Sources:
The Cutting Edge: Antique Scissors
American Scissors and Shears
Love this!
Thanks Rita!
Thank you for all the research you put into this. It was a great lesson; now I will be a lot more aware of bargain scissors as ones in antique stores are always rather pricey! Somewhere I have my mother’s hair cutting scissors and pinking shears; it’s a start on a collection!
Glad you enjoyed it, Kathy! I think your mother’s scissors make the perfect start 🙂
Thank you! Very interesting and informative. I will look at them in a different light from now on. I did not know about the distinction between scissors and shears either.
Glad I could pass on some good information to you, Karen!
Actually, I have always been drawn to look at scissors and at pinking shears. I used to do a lot of crafts with paper and have several ones that have a decorative cut. I once had some old embroidery scissors in several styles, one I remember was like a bird and it’s long beak I think. Making me want to collect them! 😊
Diana, I love scissors. Your post last year with the scissors in a frame inspired me to look closer at estate sales for scissors. I have been picking them up as I found them ( cheap) and holding on to them. As a sewing person I have always believed good scissors were necessary to the craft, but I now just like looking at old scissors for their beauty. Thanks for the lesson, I’ll have to check the manufacturer on the ones I’ve found and using a glass flower frog to put them in is genius! As usual you are an inspiration.
Aww, you’re so sweet and encouraging, Laura–thank you!
I love this post Dianna! Scissors are something I can never seem to walk away from at a garage sale. My sisters and I sold many pair of vintage scissors all shapes and sizes on our Etsy shop. They seem to be a favorite for a lot of us!
Thanks again for your very informative articles!
Jeri
You’re so welcome Jeri! Glad you enjoyed the post and that you share my love for simple things, like a pair of scissors 🙂
I love how you displayed them in the frogs.
Question: Do you have any tips for removing any rust on the blades?
Thanks Janice! Try rubbing them with some white vinegar and see if that works. If not, use some fine steel wool. It can be tricky, particularly if there are tiny crevices. Let me know how it goes 🙂
You have a wonderful collection, Diana! I love how you displayed them in the frogs, too!
Thanks, Linda 🙂 Those frogs are handy!
You have made me want to look at all the old scissors I have and make them a ‘collection’. I always take them from estate sales and friends or family getting rid of them. Just never thought to display them but now I will. A collection I didn’t know I had! Thank you!!!
I’m so glad to give some inspiration, Linda! I hope you post a pic once you pull them out and start displaying them 🙂
Thank You Diana! Wonderful work!
You’re welcome, Barb–thanks!
This was so interesting to read. Thank you for the education!
You’re welcome, Donna, and thank you 🙂
A very interesting and informative post, Diana. I am off and running to find my first pair of scissors or shears to begin my collection! Actually, I probably won’t even have to leave my house to find them! I also p inned the photo with the shears ( scissors?–can’t remember) and the rose making a new category on my Pinterest page. So thanks for the inspiration! I really needed another item to collect! Ha, ha! But these are so small, right? It’ll be okay.
It’s such a blessing to inspire!! And such a kind compliment, Naomi. I should have mentioned that an additional benefit of collecting scissors is of course their immense usefulness. No searching for that solo pair, you have multiple pairs at your finger tips 🙂 Thanks for the pin!!
Diana, you are always a wealth of information. As a sewer, I share your interest in wooden spools, buttons, and scissors. I certainly don’t lack in either. I have scissors of all sizes, new and old. Now I will have to dig them out and check for their markings. Thanks for sharing.
Ooh, I look forward to hearing what you find, Rita! I’m glad I could pass on some new-to-you info 🙂
I enjoyed seeing your scissor collection. It is one collection that I haven’t started but hey its never too late!
You’re right about that, Sharon–never too late!
Thanks Diana- that was fun to see and learn about your scissor collection- I will have to tune into the scissors I have and ones that I might have passed by…now I will pay closer attention to their detail and history. Love how you display them.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Terry 🙂
What a wonderful and informative post Diana! You have some great examples and clever ways to display them, (going to steal the one with the scissors in a glass floral frog). I use small embroidery scissors when I’m machine sewing and they tend to get lost or worse, fall of the table, which can damage them. So, containing them in a frog will be most helpful and decorative when the sewing project is done.
I think you’ll love using a flower frog to hold your scissors, Mickie! Glad I could pass on a helpful idea 🙂
Diana, I’m a scissor collector too! My scissors are mostly antique sewing scissors picked up at antique markets in England or France and some here in the US. I started out with collecting sewing notions, but eventually just concentrated on scissors and needle cases since I do needlepoint, embroidery, and couted cross stitch. Clever idea to display them in the flower frogs. Most of mine or in cups so I can enjoy the diffeent shapes and details. Fun post. Thanks for sharing.
Okay I want to start one now! So much info, so many cool scissors! Each for $1.00 or less? Even better! I’m now officially on the hunt! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm ~ Pinned! xo Kathleen
Any idea where I can find out what a pair of scissors is worth? I have an old pair of small scissors marked “Broadway Dept Stores” with slogans “Don’t Worry” and “Watch Us Grow”, and impressions of Washington and Lincoln. I can’t seem to find anything online.
Hi Joan–your scissors sound fascinating. You might want to join my Facebook group–Your Vintage Treasures. It’s filled with fellow vintage lovers and we all help each other out with identification and valuations. I hope to see you over there!