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Finer Things
Catching Up With the Relics of Bygone Eras
By Cyra Miles Valdez
The advent of modern technology has revolutionized our way of communication. It bridges the distance in a faster and efficient way. Emails and text messages are beyond comparison to postal mails and telegrams.
Though we communicate effectively these days through emails, traditional letters still hold a special place in the world.
Before the 19th century, letters were the primary means of long distance communication. Millions of stamped letters were sent out every day to the world. Because of this, letter openers were essential.
This cutting tool is akin to a knife or dagger hence it is oftentimes referred as paper knife, paper cutter, or letter knife. Its basic role is to neatly slit the envelope rather than tearing.
With the fast and efficient email system now, the traditional way of communication has significantly decreased as more people opt for emails. Needless to say, it is also cheaper and oftentimes costs nothing.
As a result of the evolution in our communication system and like in any other bygone eras and lifestyles, people start to put high value to the relicts of the past. These remnants now become valuable and expensive collection of antiques. The once essential tool in every office is now a collector's item.
Expensive antique letter openers or paper knives are actually fascinating. Most are made of steel, wood, jade, bone, brass ivory, silver, glass, crystal and even gold however the well-off always preferred the gold and bejeweled paper knives. Antique letter openers are marked with ornaments which are intricately-crafted and oftentimes very elaborate.
The value of the antique letter openers will vary depending on the material and the design. The higher the quality of its material, the more costly it is and the more intricate the design in the handle, the more expensive it is.
Designs can range from miniature sculptures and carving or engraving of flowers, butterflies, animals and people. The most noted designs were the Victorian letter openers because they are adorned with precious and semi-precious stones. The Victorian letter knives were always designed to be admired as well as useful according to Dan D-Imperio in the book 'The ABC's of Victorian Antiques'.
An innovative paper knife was launched in 1870s as Harper's national magazine featured letter openers with multiple purposes. An interesting Ben's Combination Writing and Toilet Instrument was produced which provided a pen, pen holder, spoon, toothpick, pencil sharpener and paper knife.
However, the letter openers that were designed by Peter Carl Faberge, the greatest Russian jeweler and goldsmith of the late 19th and early 20th centuries who crafted the jeweled Easter eggs for the European royalty were believed to be the ultimate timeless piece of knife openers.
An online shop where you can look for classy and expensive antique letter openers is Ruby Lane (http://www.rubylane.com/).
They have quite an extensive range of vintage letter openers. Items include an antique ivory letter opener from mid 1800's with a beautiful and well ornate handle and the 8-inches long French letter opener with lovely engraved designs.
Other random antique letter openers that exhibit beautiful designs are the 16-inches long wooden antique letter opener with Jewish Rabbi handle, the Peters Cartridge Co. Letter Opener in 1934-44 and the antique Victorian ivory paper knife from 1880's.
Our communication system may further take a big leap in terms of progress and development but still one thing remains. We love reminiscing the past and the only way to do that is to catch up with the relics of bygone eras.