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Victorian / Edwardian Era George Baxter Levesley Brothers Sheffield Folding Multi Blade / Tool Lock Knife With Stag Antler Scales. ED 3011 - ED 3011 / 22949 Levesley Bros was listed in 1862 as a cutlery manufacturer in Central Works, West Street. The partners were Charles, William, and Thomas (born in 1821, 1826, and 1831, respectively). Charles was working in his own right by 1849 as pearl carver and dressing case instrument manufacturer in Orchard Lane. He was amongst the most skilled carvers in the trade. John Hinchliffe and Joseph Rodgers & Sons are said to have relied upon him to carve the pearl handles of their display knives for the Great Exhibition in 1851. The firm had a London showroom by the 1890s, when the business was briefly restyled as Levesley Bros & Lloyd. Levesley’s partnership with William Lloyd terminated in 1893. Levesley Bros continued at Central Works in Mary Street. After 1918, Thomas and William Charles were still listed as the partners in directories. Thomas died at Western Bank on 2 October 1924, aged 94. The firm declared bankruptcy in 1929. It was listed briefly at 203 Arundel Street until the early 1930s. Their trade marks included ‘CLEAN SHAVE’ on razors, with a picture of a batsman taking guard (later used by Joseph Allen); and a sea shell with the word ‘FORWARD’ (later acquired by E.M. Dickinson) (see page 375 of Tweedale’s Directory of Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers 1740-2013 Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition). This is a quality Victorian / Edwardian era folding clasp lock knife with many blades / tools some marked ‘George Baxter Levesley Brothers Sheffield’. It has two single edged blades, one 3 ½” length which when opened locks in place and is released by pressing a release button on the frame of the knife, the other 1 ½”, a file blade with sharp point (1 ¾”), hook, corkscrew, gimlet, triangular spike (1 ¾”) & fixed steel screwdriver tool forming part of the frame protruding between the German Silver bolsters. The single edged blades, spike, file and hook are signed ‘George Baxter Levesley Brothers Sheffield’. The lettering is over struck (we cannot find a George Baxter operating on his own as a Sheffield Cutler in our books, he may have been a knife maker for Levesley Brothers or a retailer). The knife has undamaged Stag antler scales secured by German Silver pins. The blades and tools have staining consistent with age but no damage or rust. This quality piece is worthy of further research regarding the blade markings and the price includes UK delivery. ED 3011 (drawers office)
£495.00 |
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