Once upon a time gentlemen frequented barber shops daily for shaves and trims. Wow, the whiskered looks of macho actors, musicians and just plain guys these days are a far cry from the carefully manicured mustaches and beards of old. It was considered a badge of one's social status if a gentleman arrived at the barber shop for his daily visit and the barber reached up to a beautiful cupboard made especially for shaving mugs and proceeded to use one with either the individual's name, occupation or both in writing on the front. The one in my photo is not a shaving mug per se, but perhaps was used as one. This mug was given to Mr. J.N. Greathouse, who was from Muscatine, Iowa. He was the contractor of the Masonic Hall in Oelwein, Iowa. The mug is nicely decorated with symbols of the Masonic order, in addition to having the gentleman's name , so it falls into a rather unique category for collectors. I was able to find information about Mr. Greathouse (isn't it a rather grand name) so a genealogist, Mason, Iowan, mug collectors could all be happy owning this item. It can be seen at Exit 55 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.
