Vigo County Historical Society

"Occupational" shaving mugs become the custom

Shaving mugs were mugs that held the soap, shaving brush and hot water used by the barber to prepare a beard for shaving. These mugs were popular between 1880-1920.

Initially the barber used a common mug for all the customers. When an epidemic "barber itch," a kind of eczema, developed individual mugs became the custom. In fact, legislation required people to have individual mugs and they were identified by name and numbers. They were kept in a mug case at the local barber shop.

Since many customers in the early days could not read, a picture of a man’s trade or occupation or symbol of his tools would identify a particular mug. Occupational shaving mugs would have identifiable trade items such as hair clippers, a rooster crowing for a farmer, a man shoveling coal for a coal miner, false teeth for a dentist, a horse with a wagon for a livery stable, sheep in a field for a shepherd, a truck, and a tugboat in the water. Also important were fraternal emblems such as the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Elks BPOE, Order of United American Mechanics and Knights Templar.

Shaving mugs would be found in pottery, tin, glass and silver. A special type of mug was called a coal-scuttle mug because of its unusual shape. A Protruding front pocket held the shaving brush. There were initially made as a soap package and were in use from 1870 to 1900.

American barber supply houses decorated porcelain mugs made in Europe. A gold name mug might be 50 cents while an occupational designed mug might be $2.50.

The shaving mug became obsolete after King C. Gillette invented the safety razor. These safety razors were issued in great numbers to service men during World War I.

A shaving stand with mugs and utensils may be seen in the Victorian bedroom on the second floor of the museum.

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. 6th St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.