Lot 530: A Sheffield Sterling Silver Handled Letter Opener in Presentation Box Weight: 46.71 grams.
A Sheffield-made letter opener featuring a decorative sterling silver handle and a stainless steel blade. The handle is ornamented with a traditional repoussé pattern including scrolling foliage and a central floral motif. The handle is joined to a long, straight, tapered blade with a polished finish. Three small struck marks are present on the upper part of the silver handle (photo 3): a crown (the Sheffield town mark), a lion passant (the standard mark for sterling silver), and a date letter that is not clearly legible. Below these, an impressed maker’s mark is present but the characters are not legible as a name. The item is housed in a white cardboard presentation box with a blue velvet-effect fitted interior. A printed card insert is included within the box, reading: are [illegible] by Sheffield Craftsmen from the Highest Quality Stainless Steel and [illegible] Sterling Silver.
Weight: 46.71 grams.
Condition report:
The letter opener is in good vintage condition. The silver handle displays light surface tarnishing and fine scratches consistent with age (photo 3). The stainless steel blade remains bright and tapers to a sharp point with no visible corrosion or bending (photo 1). The original cardboard box shows light shelf wear and minor age-related discoloration to the exterior surfaces, while the interior fabric shows light compression from the weight of the tool (photo 1).
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