John Compton Fire Pumper Occupational Shaving Mug Koken Morphy 2009 Lot 2231 For Sale

This is the John Compton Fire Pumper Occupational Shaving Mug documented by Morphy sales as Lot 2231 in its May 28–30, 2009 sale.

The mug measures approximately 4 inches tall and features the name “John Compton” in ornate gilt Gothic lettering above a highly detailed hand-painted firefighting scene. Two horses — one white and one brown — are depicted at speed pulling a yellow horse-drawn steam fire pumper. The scene includes the driver, an additional firefighter, detailed wheels, mechanical fittings, harnesses and a dramatic painted background.

The underside bears the period Koken St. Louis trademark, which is specifically noted in Morphy's original 2009 catalog description.

The original Morphy sales May 28, 29 & 30, 2009 catalog accompanies this mug.

The mug appears in the catalog as:

LOT 2231 — Fire Pumper Occupational Shaving Mug

Morphy's catalog records the mug as approximately 4 inches tall, personalized John Compton, marked with the Koken St. Louis trademark, and rates its condition Excellent. Morphy assigned the mug a $1,000–$1,500 presale estimate.

Even more importantly, the original Morphy Prices Realized sheet accompanies the catalog and records:

Lot 2231 — $1,755.00 realized

The printed sheet states that the reported prices include the buyer's premium.

The distinctive hand-painted scene, personalized lettering, mug form and Koken trademark on the mug being offered today correspond to the photographed example shown as Lot 2231 in the original 2009 Morphy catalog.

Contemporary reporting on Morphy's May 2009 sale described a special highlight of the sale as the 60-piece Bob Miller occupational shaving mug collection. The occupational shaving mugs shown with Lot 2231 constitute this important section of the sale.

This provides an additional collecting connection beyond the mug's already documented Morphy sales history.

John Compton was a significant early figure in the history of the Atchison, Kansas Fire Department.

Morphy's 2009 catalog states that Compton served as Atchison fire chief from 1905–1919.

Additional historical research provides an even broader record. The City of Atchison's official fire department history lists John Compton as fire chief from 1889 through 1924. Earlier historical records identify Compton as having joined the Atchison Fire Department in 1879 and serving as a department foreman by 1881.

The painted subject of this mug is therefore directly associated with the occupation of the man whose name appears on it, rather than merely being a generic firefighting decoration.

Personalized occupational shaving mugs were traditionally kept at barber shops for individual customers and decorated with imagery representing the owner's profession, trade, organization or interests.

This example combines several qualities desirable to advanced occupational shaving mug and firefighting collectors:

named historical owner, identifiable occupation, elaborate hand-painted firefighting scene, Koken St. Louis trademark, documented 2009 Morphy sales appearance, original catalog documentation, original realized-price documentation and strong historical attribution to the Atchison Fire Department.

The mug remains in excellent antique condition overall.

The porcelain body and handle appear intact with no chips, cracks or repairs observed. The hand-painted firefighting scene remains remarkably colorful and detailed.

There is expected age-related wear to the gilt decoration, particularly along portions of the upper rim, base, John Compton lettering and decorative flourishes. This wear is visible in the photographs and is consistent with the mug's age.

No restoration has been performed by the current owner.

Please review the high-resolution photographs carefully for exact condition.

John Compton Koken occupational shaving mug

Original Morphy sales May 28–30, 2009 hardcover sale catalog

Original Morphy Prices Realized documentation showing Lot 2231 at $1,755

These materials will remain together as a provenance package.

This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a documented early occupational shaving mug with a known historical owner and a traceable major-sale history dating back at least to 2009.

For the historical language, the City of Atchison itself lists John Compton as fire chief 1889–1924, and an earlier county history says he joined the department in 1879 and was foreman by 1881. Contemporary reporting on the 2009 Morphy sale specifically identifies its 60-piece Bob Miller occupational shaving mug collection as a highlight.