Simpson Brushes Appreciation Thread

[Dipesh]

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Another rare brush but unfortunately this is not for sale, because the sale of ivory is prohibited

Wow that’s stunning

 

[Shaun2]

View attachment 159310
Another rare brush but unfortunately this is not for sale, because the sale of ivory is prohibited

Gifting it isn't

 

[Shaun2]

View attachment 159310
Another rare brush but unfortunately this is not for sale, because the sale of ivory is prohibited

It looks like it was indeed sold on that well-known auction site. Most sold looked to be Carter-era Somerset brushes.

 

[Okku]

I purchased these as they have the labels on them and currently Simpsons makes these printed.

 

[Okku]

Comparison between modern and vintage chubbies. The vintage hair is much softer and the knot seems of better quality. The modern handle is more sturdy and has more girth.

 

[Shaun2]

Comparison between modern and vintage chubbies. The vintage hair is much softer and the knot seems of better quality. The modern handle is more sturdy and has more girth.
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The earlier models are Carter-era. Earlier than 1990, Somerset brushes were better again, IMO.

 

[Okku]

 

[Dj-Steved]

You bought some wonderful brushes there Okku very nice indeed.....

 

[Shaun2]

Carter-era brushes seem to me to comprise old rod stock (like yours) and were possibly even turned prior to when Carter/Woodhouse began turning their own. These earlier ones might be more properly called "Somerset". The later versions, also using lamp black, used a much whiter resin of some kind. The shape wasn't as nice, either, to my eyes at least. Check this example (not mine) of what I would call a "later" Carter-era turned PL14. You will see it is squarer/chunkier and very white. I think the lettering stamps used were the same ones. Loft quite different, too. Less substantial, maybe.

 

[Shaun2]

Compare the one above to this one, noting both use lamp black (pre-Vulfix). Shoulders are different, and overall is curvier and so on. Some like the above Carter-era (I have an example of such, but in a Chubby); others prefer the type as per below.

 

[Shaun2]

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Did you recently purchase both of these from the seller, too? That PL14 is 3-band? any chance you could show it standing, next to the Chubby 2, say?

 

[Shaun2]

I'm not sure how many times I have read that Somerset (Nimmer Mills/Carter-era) brushes are characterised by the use of "surface" lamp-black, rather than etching, hammering/stamping, but that's not absolutely correct. I have several earlier Somerset brushes (Nimmer Mills butterscotch) that are a combination of these processes. Below is a Case in Best that is such a brush. The letter stamping tool was first held over a lamp flame to gather the soot or "lamp black" and the lettering was then stamped into the handle.

From what I can tell, Carter-era brushes (the later Carter period, using the very white material) have ONLY "surface" lamp black. I don't know how it was applied. Vulfix brushes are characterised by automated, etched lettering.

Below is the Case, mentioned above:

 

[Okku]

 

[Okku]

 

[Mike Smart]