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Barrington collectors eye Dec. 4 barberiana auction in Union, a showcase of vintage razor history

Katie Stewart Fri, Dec 5, 2025 • 07:28 AM

A Collector’s Moment for the Northwest Suburbs

An auction of vintage shaving history is set to draw the interest of Barrington-area collectors and design-minded homeowners next week. The Vintage Razor Display and Barberiana Auction opens Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, at 9 a.m. at Donley Auctions, 8512 S Union Rd, Union, IL, 60180, with a public preview the day before, Wednesday, Dec. 3, from noon to 7 p.m., according to the event listing on Patch.com. The sale focuses on early-to-mid-20th-century barberiana—from straight razors to store-counter displays—offering a vivid window into American grooming and advertising culture.

What’s on the Block

The catalog is centered on a “remarkable” discovery of new old stock and preserved pieces, with an emphasis on razor blade store display boxes—many still holding original NOS double-edge and safety razor blade packs—alongside a curated selection of collectible straight razors, classic safety razors, and occupational shaving mugs, according to the event listing on Patch.com. The listing underscores the visual appeal for collectors and decorators alike, noting the vibrant lithography on the boxes and the pristine condition across much of the trove. The items reflect everyday life as well as the graphic design sensibilities of the period, when brands used countertop displays and colorful packaging to compete for customers and loyalty.

That mix of condition, completeness and commercial art matters. Collectors value period ephemera—original boxes, blades, labels and shop displays—because it captures a moment in retail history and often survives far less frequently than the tools themselves. As summarized by KristinHolt.com, the late 19th through mid-20th centuries produced many of the most coveted pieces in this category. Straight razors made with fine steels, early safety razors with replaceable blades, and the accessories that surrounded them—brushes, strops and period packaging—remain highly desirable today. Original condition and intact packaging, the site notes, can add significant appeal.

Why It Matters

The sale lands at a moment of sustained strength for vintage collectibles. The U.S. collectibles and antiques market reached about $84.28 billion in 2024, with vintage items accounting for approximately 37.1% of that total, according to Grand View Research. The firm projects U.S. market growth to roughly $122.76 billion by 2033, reflecting steady demand driven by craftsmanship, authenticity and nostalgia.

Globally, momentum is similar. The collectibles market is expected to climb to around $535.5 billion by 2033, with the rise of digital platforms broadening access, discovery and authentication for buyers and sellers, according to Grand View Research. Those trends dovetail with the appeal of barberiana: these are objects that carry stories—of technology, fashion and daily routines—and their original packaging and point-of-sale displays can be as compelling as the tools themselves.

The Design and History Angle

For Barrington residents who appreciate period design, the auction’s displays and intact packaging amount to a compact museum of 20th-century commercial art. Countertop boxes and lithographed sleeves once competed for attention in general stores and pharmacies; their typography, color palettes and motifs track changing tastes across decades. That graphic history pairs with the evolution of shaving technology—from straight razors prized for their materials and handwork to safety razors that ushered in a new era of convenience—all reflected in the accessories and ephemera collectors chase today, as outlined by KristinHolt.com.

Practical Details for Attendees

According to the event listing on Patch.com, here’s what local readers need to know:

Auction: Vintage Razor Display and Barberiana Auction
Date and time: Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, 9 a.m.
Venue: Donley Auctions, 8512 S Union Rd, Union, IL, 60180
Preview: Wednesday, Dec. 3, noon–7 p.m.

The event listing describes a wide-ranging trove that includes NOS blade packs in original store displays, collectible straight razors, classic safety razors and occupational shaving mugs—items that blend historical utility with graphic and industrial design interest. That breadth gives newcomers multiple entry points, whether they’re pursuing a single display piece for a home office or assembling a focused collection around brands, materials or eras.

A Moment for Barberiana Collectors

For longtime collectors in the Barrington community, the appeal is straightforward: condition, completeness and a direct link to retail history. For the uninitiated, the visual strength of lithographed boxes and the narrative power of untouched packaging can be an accessible on-ramp. With the U.S. market’s vintage segment representing more than a third of collectibles revenue in 2024, as reported by Grand View Research, the appetite for authentic period pieces remains broad.

As the gavel approaches in Union, the Dec. 4 auction offers a concentrated look at how everyday objects become enduring design artifacts. For Barrington-area bidders, it’s a chance to find something that connects the craft of an earlier era to a modern shelf, wall or display case—pieces that, as the event listing observes, double as tangible reminders of advertising, graphic design and daily life.

This content has been submitted by authors outside of this publisher and is not its editorial product. It could contain opinions, facts, and points of view that have not been reviewed or accepted by the publisher. The content may have been created, in whole or in part, using artificial intelligence tools. Original Source →