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January, 2017 The Antique Shoppe Page 17
Dade City & San Antonio

98

Meridian Ave
DADE CITY

52 Clinton Ave
5
577 579

579A Ft. King Hwy. 301 98

75
Art Nouveau style paper cutters advertised in the 1904 Unger Bros. catalogue. 39

was just the thing for cutting open the evidence to support the long-held belief
sealable flaps on envelopes. Patents for about “page turners”. The term is not Park your car in the Celebrating
envelope openers started to appear in mentioned in old trade catalogues, there 18 Antiques
the 1860’s. By the late 19 Century, trade are no patents or advertisements, and treeshaded city lots and YEARS! on the
th
catalogues were advertising both paper- nothing in the English literature about
knives and letter openers. “page turners”. stroll among our antique MAin street
There was more to letter openers Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was a not ZEPHYRHILLS
than a simple dagger-like blade. The web only a prolific novelist but also an astute and collectible shops.
To Tampa
Specializing
site for The Early Office Museum shows observer of life in Victorian London. If 54 5th Ave.
several examples of mechanical letter there was going to be a mention of “page Enjoy our in
openers. Despite the declining practice of turners” in any 19 Century book then it Primitives
th
letter writing, new innovative designs for would be expected that Dickens would small town charms. Gall Blvd.
letter openers would tempt anyone to put mention them. There is no mention of
pen to paper. “page turners” but Dickens does mention We’d love to have you! 41 39
A blade that is often mistaken for a paper-knives and indeed used them Peggy Capps, Proprietor
301
paper-knife is the paper folder. Other himself. (352) 523-0999
To Tampa
terms for paper folders include “folding Any blade described as a page To Plant City
stick”, “paper smoother” and “paper turner will almost certainly be either a 14122 7th STREET
creaser”. These typically have a broad paper-knife or a paper folder. The other DADE CITY, FL 33525 3
blade like paper-knives but are rounded possibility would be an envelope opener.
at both ends with no noticeable handle. Writing accessories in general seem to
Book binders and book conservators are be very collectible and so too are letter
very familiar with this essential tool which openers. Some might say that collecting
was used for creasing paper and working any one of the many reading and writing
with and smoothing burnished leather. accessories is being too specialised. I 1
Anyone interested in arts and crafts would say that the history and design
will know that bone folders are readily of paper-knives and paper folders lends
available. itself to a very rewarding study and object
Paper folders were commonly used of collecting because in their time they
in the 19 Century for smoothing paper were so widely used. 2 4
th
and creasing paper prior to Late Century Modern Furniture 3
using a paper-knife. The benefit Decorative Arts & Accessories
of first creasing paper with a
paper folder prior to cutting the 11853 Curley St, San Antonio
paper with a paper-knife is very 6 mi. from Dade City / 11 mi. from Zephyrhills
noticeable. The cut is smoother 352-588-2001
and easier to make. www.sanantonioantiquesflorida.com DADE CITY
Typically about 10 inches Proprietor, John C. Herrmann 5
long, paper folders were made
of bone, wood, silver, ivory, Primitives to
agate and nephrite. Not only AMERICAN EAGLE
have they been mistaken Mid-Century
for paper-knives and letter ANTIQUES Art, Jewelry,
Wooden and papier mache paper folders.
openers, they have also been mistaken Top, Mauchline ware postal ruler and folder, Clocks,
for tongue depressors. 1880. Next is a papier mache w/ black and 14232 7th Street
Another blade is the page turner. That gold lacquer. Next two are wooden with Dade City, FL 33523 Furniture,
is, a hand-held ruler like blade used for floral decorations. Average length 352-521-3361 Coins/Military
turning pages of books and newspapers. 10 ½ inches. OpEN 7 DAyS 11-5:30
These are frequently offered for sale For the RARE, the UNUSUAL, the UNEXPECTED
at auctions and on the internet. The Recommend Reading: AMERICAN EAGLE TOP DRAWER ANTIQUES
functions of page turners have frequently •Letter Openers – Works of Art on ANTIQUES, TOO 14130 7th St.
included a reference to preventing soiling the Desk by Kurt Buchel. FastForward OPEN: Mon-Sat 10-5 & for Special Events
ones hand with newspaper ink and Establishment, Liechtenstein. Featuring Fine Antiques 352-437-4838
preventing any damage to the pages of •Reading and Writing Accessories – a 14119 7th Street www.topdrawerantiquesfl.com
large books. Study of Paper-Knives, Paper Folders, Dade City, FL 33523 www.facebook.com/TopDrawerAntiques
It has come as a great surprise that Letter Openers and Mythical Page 352-521-0390 atopdrawer@tampabay.rr.com
nothing could be further from the Turners by Ian Spellerberg. Oak Knoll OpEN 10-5 MON-SAT 4
truth! There appears to be no primary Press, USA.