PAGE

Mechi's Address to the Public .... .2
Articles of Luxury and Ornament.. 3
Housekeeping Department ....... 4
Papier Mache Manufactures .... 5
Articles for Ladies' Toilet           lb.
 ----Gentlemen's ditto .................. 6
Ladies' Work Table Department..!b
------- Writing Table ditto.....       7
Articles for the Pocket, Garden, and
    Kitchen                                    ib.
    _Stable                 .. .. . .. .. .. .. 8
 Miscellaneous Articles........... ....ib.
Articles for Travelling...... .         .lb.

PAGE

Medical Department .................8
Articles of Amusement .............ib.
Prides of Table Cutelry............. 9
Patent Knife Sharpeners.......... 10
Prices of Sheffield Plate............. lb.
---- British Plate, or German
      Silver …………..................11
Bagatelle Tables........................ 12
Dressing Cases.......................... 13
-------Instruments, Writing Cases,
Writing Desks, and Work Boxes. 14
Mechi's Remarks on Shaving..... 15
A Golden Rule in shaving.......... !b.

Using www.measuringworth.com I have calculated:

In 2008, £52 10s 0d from 1841 is worth

In real terms the boxes seem to be much more expensive when originally made than now.

£4 4s, to 45 0 0 a case

Snuffers   
Snuffer Trays  
Table Candlesticks 

Ch amber Candlesticks
Shade ditto
Branch ditto 

Liqueur Cases
 -------Frames
Tea Chests

Table Knives
and Forks,
per dozen of
24 Pieces.

Dessert Knives
and Forks,
per dozen of
24 Pieces.

Carvers,
per pair.

The complete
Set of'
50 Pieces.

IN IVORY HANDLES.

Balanced elegant full-size and superfine Ivory 
Full-size Octagon balanced Ivory 

WHITE BONE HANDLES.

Balance Octagon White Bone  
Octagon White Bone, not balanced 

REAL STAG AND BUCK HORN.

Real Stag Horn 
Real Buck Horn 
Variegated Horn, balanced .....

BLACK HORN HANDLES.

Handsome Octagon, Black Horn, balanced 
Ditto ditto, not balanced 
Excellent and neat black handle, one pin 

£    s.   d.


0     9    0
0    7     0




0    4     6
0    4     0





0    5    6
0    4    6
0    6    0




0    4    6
0    3    6
0    3    0

£    s.    d.


4   10    0
3   10   0




2    2    0
1   16 .  0





2   8      6
1   14    6
2   19    0




2   2   0
1  14   6
1   5    0

PATENT KNIFE SHARPENERS

An immense variety, on the most approved principles, at 2s. 6d.,. 3s.6d., 4s. 6d.; and in ivory handles, at 5s. 6d. each, either two rollers or cross barred. Also Table Steels, of a new and very powerful description, at 4s, and 5s. 6d. each. Round of Beef, Ham, and other Slicing and Carving Knives. Cooks' Knives, Bread Knives.

OLD TABLE CUTLERY GROUND, REPAIRED, AND THE HANDLES
CLEANED.
CASES OF KNIVES FOR EXPORTATION.
REMARKS ON TABLE KNIVES.

The same Rule applies to Table Cutlery as to all other Cutting Instruments, viz., that they must be frequently sharpened. A servant who understands knife cleaning, will, before taking them off the board, draw them briskly a few times from back to edge first on one side, then on the other, and thus produce an excellent edge: whereas a clumsy inexperienced baud will (by not holding them flat to the board) contrive to give the best steel go dull an edge, that one might almost 11 ride to Romford" on it. Hence the necessity of an efficient Steel.
     Servants are apt, in cleaning knives, to allow the arm to take its natural ball and socket, or half circular movement, this of course, must completely round and thicken the edge and wear the back. Strict injunctions should be given to keep the knife always flat on the board. The very best knives when new, will not cut unless the above directions are strictly enforced.

_____________
SPLENDID REAL SHEFFIELD PLATE,

Warranted to wear from Nine to Fifteen Years, according to the care taken the edges and ornamental work being all made of solid silver, and finished by first rate workmen. The Patterns comprise all that is most fashionable in silver, and will well repay the trouble of inspection, with an immense variety to choose from.

ARTICLES OF AMUSEMENT.

PLATED ON STEEL KNIVES, WITH IVORY AND PEARL HANDLES.

BRITISH PLATE, or GERMAN SILVER
AN EXCELLENT SUBSTITUTE FOR REAL SILVER.

     The most effective imitation is in the Spoons and Forks, that
have a body of real silver plated over the British Plate. So ac-
curate and durable are these, that I am convinced twenty years'
wear would not show that they were not real silver, and they do
not cost one quarter the price of silver; the fact is, the interest of
money that would be paid for real Silver will buy these things
oftener than they are wanted.

BRITISH PLATE, continued.
PRICES OF BRITISH PLATE COVERED WITH REAL SILVER.

PRICES OF THE BRITISH PLATE OR GERMAN SILVER. 

     The quality of these goods are warranted; and bear so close a 
resemblance to silver as to deceive many, being in every respect 
of the same finish. 
     Any lady or gentleman wishing to try them may have their 
money returned if not approved. 
     The fact is, that some discredit has been attached to the German 
Silver goods, owing to unprincipled vendors having imposed on the 
public base compositions, in lieu of the genuine admixture of 
nickel, the whole affair being (like real Sheffield Plate) entirely a 
matter of confidence.

INTERESTING AMUSEMENT, 
BAGATELLE VERSUS BILLIARDS. 

MECHI invites attention to his celebrated BAGATELLE TABLES, 
which, from the accuracy of their finish, and being cushioned in a 
most superior manner, render the game capable of such nice cal- 
culations as to come into competition with Billiards. They are 
made on the most durable style of solid well-seasoned Mahogany; 
they are complete with superior Cue, Mace, Bridge, and Nine 
Balls, for playing the four games, and are accompanied with 
Mechi's Directions, printed on card-paper. 
The Board should always be accompanied by one of Mechi's 
Mahogany stands, with screw legs, so as to adjust the Board to a 
perfect level, let the floor be ever so uneven 

OPEN BOARDS, 
FOR PUBLIC ROOMS, CIGAR DIVANS, AND INNS.

The price of the Stands varies from £2 to £3.

BAGATELLE versus BILLIARDS, continued.
FOLDING BOARDS (for Family use), richly French polished.

Country orders (with a remittance) punctually attended to.
Old Bagatelle tables properly repaired. New Cues, Maces, Balls, and Spirit Levels.

Backgammon Boards, complete with Draughtsmen & Boxes.

FLAT DRAUGHT AND CHESS BOARDS.

CRIBBAGE BOARDS, Ss. to 15s.

POPE JOAN BOARDS, 8s. 6d. to £1 10s.

A great variety of Ivory, Bone , and Wood Chessmen, plain or richly carved, at all prices, from 5s. to £8 8s. 

THE MECHIAN DRESSING CASES.

     splendid assortment for Ladies and Gentlemen, elegantly and str ngly finished, in Mahogany, Rosewood, Coromandel wood, &c. Brass bound or inlaid with Pearl.

N.B. Old ones repaired and re polished.

     It has ever been a general complaint that, owing to the inexperience of Dressing Case Makers in the manufacture of Cutlery, the instruments in Dressing Cases (particularly Razors) are mostly of an inferior quality, and totally unfit for use. The well established

     Mechi's Razors, Penknives, Scissors, &c. will be a sufficient guarantee against the possibility of this being the case with those Dressing Cases manufactured by him.

Prices --Ladies' Dressing Cases 2 Guineas to 50 Guineas.
              Gentlemen's ditto 25s. upwards to £80.

The more expensive are of the most complete description, fitted with Looking Glass, Jewel Drawers, and all other necessary articles, as; particularized at foot. The workmanship and quality of the wood are of such a seasoned description, that there is no fear of their being injured by exposure to a warm sun or a hot climate. The highest Cases are mounted in solid Silver, and fitted with solid Ivory Brushes, and other costly articles.

Morocco and Russia Leather Dressing and Writing Cases,
for Travellers. &c.

Either unfurnished (gentlemen finding their own instruments), or fitted up with all or any of the following articles. viz.:-

     Hat, Hair, Clothes, Tooth, Nail, Comb, and Shaving Brushes; Dressing and Small tooth Combs; Looking Glass; Bottles, &c. for Tooth Powder, Bear's Grease, Oils, Lavender Water, Lip Salve, Washing and Shaving Soap; and the following

INSTRUMENTS.

Mechi's best Razors, Hair , and Nail Scissors, Penknives, Boot Hooks, Corkscrews, Tweezers, Nail and Corn Files, Button Hooks, Piercers, Punches, Pencil Toothpicks, Pen Holders, &c.
    The patterns are so various that it would be impossible to describe each separately ; some roll up, others pull off, some are small in compass, for the pocket or travelling bag, and are without the Hair or Clothes Brushes ; others, on a larger scale, are more complete. The prices begin 20s., 25s., 32s., 40s., 50s., 60s., 70s., 80s., 95s., and go upwards to £15 ; therefore, gentlemen abroad or in the country, who wish their friends to purchase for them, should state the price they wish to go to, and, particularly, whether the Hat, Hair, or Clothes Brushes are required, because these very much increase, the size and cost of the Cases and it may be well to mention also, which of the above named instruments are required.
     The Dressing Cases at £4. 6s. are very complete. and generally approved for their convenient arrangement.

WRITING CASES in every variety of Pattern.

WORK BOXES.

A great variety in Rosewood, Mahogany, and Leather, plain and
inlaid with Brass, Pearl, and Ivory.

Small sizes	0  8   0 to	0  14 0
Larger ..........	0 15  0 to	1  5 0
Ornamented	1 10 0 to	6  0  0

They are all warranted to stand well; the style of lining is tasteful, and the instruments of warranted quality. The linings are various, such as Blue, Amber, Crimson, &c.

MECHI'S REMARKS ON SHAVING.

MOST gentlemen who travel (particularly in foreign parts) are desirous to
be as little encumbered o possible.
The Soap Dish is a nuisance, and generally renders a Dressing Case inconveniently large. This maybe easily dispensed with (and advantageously too)
by first wetting the beard with a shaving-brush, then rubbing a cake of soap 
over it, and afterwards, by mean s of the brush and a little more water, raising 
a lather which, in efficacy and facility of shaving, will far surpass all others. 
A small piece of Naples Soap, the size of a pea, spread on the chin will, 
with the assistance of the brush and a little water, produce a similar result. 
Indeed, to all shavers, I recommend this, whether travelling or not as the
best means of easy shaving ; for how frequently is time wasted in raising a 
lather in the dish (where it is not wanted) in lieu of doing it on the face 
where a good deal of friction and soap is indispensably necessary, 
One trial alone of the above plan will bring conviction to the most strenuous 
advocate of the dish system. 
It may be Well to remark that to avoid having the lather thick or thin in 
the extreme, I dip my brush in water, giving it a gentle shake, which throws 
off the superfluity, and leaves enough to raise the soap on the face to a consistent lather.
Where the soap is glutinous, the surface of beard extensive, or the brush 
small, a second or even a third recourse to the basin maybe necessary during 
the process. The cake of soap quickly rubs away on the face, the beard act- 
ing as a file.
I think I may remark that, generally speaking, there is too much rubbing in 
the dish, and too little on the face. 

__________________
A GOLDEN RULE IN SHAVING. 

Always rub your beard well with your naked hand, soap, and cold water, be- 
fore you lather. The Spanish barbers, who are allowed to be artists in easy 
shaving, invariably do this, so do the East Indian barbers. The result is, you 
soften your beard, save your skin from irritation, and prevent injury to the 
razor; for remember, it is much easier to cut a soaked bristle than a dry 
harsh one.
     If you will not take the trouble to do this, you will find your razor hang 
against the board, and drag (not a pleasent sensation, although a very com- 
mon one). Always strop your razor after shaving to prevent rust on the edge, 
taking care to press most on, the back. Fresh paste should be applied once a 
month.
     In turning the Razor in stropping, be sure to keep the back down on the 
Strop, changing at the same time the position of your hand and arm, both of 
which must act freely as high as the elbow. A cramped hand does not an wer 
for stropping a razor properly: alight, free, brisk action far surpasses a dull 
heavy stroke.
     When the Strop becomes notched or uneven, it is no longer fit for use. In 
fact, so easily are the Teeth of a good Razor disturbed that only once strop- 
ping it on an improper composition will destroy its fine edge and make it 
painful to shave with. If you shave from heel to point of the Razor, strop it 
from point to heel; but if you begin with the point, then strop from heel to 
point. Those who have not one of MECHI'S MAGIC STROPS, will do well 
before shaving to strop the Razor on the fleshy part of the ban(], and then 
upon a small piece of dry clean wash leather (plate leather). 
     A Razor that is badly tempered can never maintain its fine edge even 
during one shaving. The practice of pressing on the edge of a Razor in 
stropping, generally rounds it; it should be directed to the back, which Must 
never be raised from the Strop. It would be better not to strop your Razor 
at all, than to do so hastily or carelessly, when the Razor is once, in good 
condition a few strokes on the Strop will keep it so, with a stiff beard; but for 
a light and tender face, stropping once or twice a week is sufficient, but the 
band or wash leather should be used every day. If you only once put away 
your Razor without stropping, you must no longer expect to shave well, the 
soap and damp so soon rust the fine teeth. Apiece of plate leather should he 
always kept with the Razors. 

A Golden Rule In Shaving, continued.

The operation of shaving is in effect precisely that of mowing. We may compare the stiff beard to coarse grass, and the Razor to the scythe. The mower would cut but little did he not frequently, by using the stone, renovate the edge of the instrument. the same remark applies to the shaver. Experience convinces me, however. that many have never drawn the comparison, or they would not continue to labour away for years on an old disfigured Strop, from which every particle of composition must have long since been worn off, or at all events have lost its cutting properties; for the com. position, which should consist of sharp cutting angles, wears away as well as the Razor. Besides, the Strop, by being frequently laid down without its case, absorbs all sorts of dust and grit (injurious in the extreme to a smooth edge), and requires; occasional scraping, which may be best done by the back of a knife. Light silky beards require a keen, thin, elastic edge ; stiff gristy beards, on the contrary, require a stronger edge, with but little elasticity.
     Those who have very thin irritable skins, I recommend to rub their beards with sweet oil before lathering, the alkali will then act on the oil instead of the skin, and assist in producing a more durable lather. Besides, the skin will not then absorb the liquid part of the lather too quickly, as it otherwise does.
     Never fail to well wash your beard with soap and cold water, immediately before you apply the lather, of which the more you use the easier you will shave. Never use warm water, which makes a tender face. Place the Razor (closed of course) in your pocket, or under your arm, to warm it. In order to shave very clean, it is sometimes necessary to lather and go over your beard a second time. The moment you leave your bed is the best time to shave; always putting your shaving brush away with the lather on it.
     The Razor (being only a very fine saw) should be moved in a sloping or sawing direction, holding it nearly flat to your face, care being taken to draw the skin as tight as possible with the left hand, so as to present an even stir., face and throw out the beard.

_________________

            In order to Shave with, Ease, it is neces-
sary to have good RAZORS, an efficient STROP,
and proper COMPOSITION to renovate it occa-
sionally.

MECHII CHARGES AS FOLLOWS :

*** Orders by Post, with a Remittance, promptly attended to.

__________________
CUTLERY GROUND AND REPAIRED DAILY ON
THE PREMISES.

MECHI'S STROPS AND PASTE ARE VENDED BY MOST RESPECT-.
ABLE PERFUMERS.

 Beware of Counterfeits ! Those without his Name
are not genuine.

WHITING, LONDON

J MECHI

LIST OF

ARTICLES

No 4

LEADENHALL ST.

LONDON