Antique Silver and Bone English Sterling Page Turner

Details

Description

An antique, circa 1902, English sterling silver and bone page turner or paper knife trademarked “Deakin & Francis, Birmingham, Sterling, … Read more An antique, circa 1902, English sterling silver and bone page turner or paper knife trademarked “Deakin & Francis, Birmingham, Sterling, 1902” with a hammered sterling handle, small circular carve out for a monogram relief and long ivory knife.

The term “page turner” is a historical misnomer. Before the 19th century, books were sold unbound. Printers printed text on large sheets of paper that were then folded into groups of leaves (or pages) called quires or signatures. Buyers would then hire a professional bookbinder to stitch the signatures together and bind them with a custom cover into books. Afterwards, the reader would use a paper knife to separate (i.e., tear) the folded signatures into individual pages. The paper knife evolved from a hand tool used in bookbinding called a bone folder, which was made of animal bones (and, in more recent history, plastic) and used to make sharp creases and folds on paper. No maker’s mark.

Product Information:
Materials: Silver, Bone
Dimensions: 13.25” W × 2” D × 0.5” H
Style: Victorian
Condition: Very good condition. Surface wear consistent with age and use. Structurally sound.
Shipping: $50.00 (to continental U.S.)

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