A Razor to America and Back

"As the note written by my father (Paddy Murphy RIP) on June 30th 1972 explains, this Crown & Sword cut-throat razor was given as a going away gift by his father (my grandfather) to a neighbour's son (Dan Fleming age 20) who emigrated to America in 1914. While returning to his native Scartaglin Village, Co. Kerry, on holidays in June 1972, Dan passed on the razor which had served him well for 58 years, to my father along with half a bar of the original soap which was also given to Dan before he left. Sadly the soap hasn't survived! This story is special to me because I feel it captures the friendship and good nature of village life in early 20th century rural Ireland. It documents the story of emigration that was so prevalent throughout the country at this time."