Back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when a gentleman needed a shave, he would visit his local barbershop, where the barber kept each customer’s personal shaving mug, inscribed with his name and often decorated with an image related to his occupation, in a cabinet. This example, manufactured by Royal China International, is inscribed “W. G. Bishop” in gold letters above a hand colored image of a speeding steam locomotive, indicating that he worked for the railroad, perhaps as an engineer. The shaving mug measures 3 5/8 inches tall by 3 5/8 inches in diameter and is in excellent condition with wear on the gold trim around the rim and base. 17335-81QQP