Pocket Fruit Knives: A Synopsis of Their History from the United Kingdom, France, Northern Europe and USA - Hardcover

Moore, Simon

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0955950708 ISBN 13: 9780955950704

Publisher: Graphic Solutions, 2008

Synopsis

Simon Moore's "Pocket Fruit Knives, A Synopsis of their History from The United Kingdom, France, Northern Europe and USA" was impressive even at manuscript stage, with the authors' many years of dedicated research and 40 years collecting fruit knives very apparent. Designed in a format which allows impressive and more than 600 detailed images of a huge range of knives to be shown at their best, it is comprehensive and interesting and great value for 'old hands' at antique knife collecting as well as newcomers. Antique dealers and collectors will be amazed at the variety and number of fruit knives, and find stunning photographs of exhibition quality knives - even some with timepieces or musical boxes incorporated!

About this title

About the Author

Simon Moore has always had a boyish enthusiasm for pocket knives, especially after he inherited a fine and late Victorian example from his maternal Grandfather. Despite following a career in the Natural Sciences, his first purchase of a pocket fruit knife in 1968 at Londons Portobello Road Market paved the way for a collection and an interest that is still unabated at the present. His first article about them in 1975 stirred up much interest and brought about his meeting with fellow collectors. Since then he has written many further articles about them, also 3 Shire booklets and a book about the history of Pocket and Table Cutlery and regularly gives talks about these subjects. He is always pleased to meet fellow collectors and discuss fruit knife or other cutlery-related conundrums, of which there are many!

From the Inside Flap

The author has revealed, in great and fascinating detailed text and photographs, why he has spent 40 years in the pursuit of these knives.

English pocket fruit knives have been a charming keepsake or gift, usually to women, for nearly 200 years and now make a most attractive and interesting collectable. Most have originated from Sheffield made by cutlers, goldsmiths and silver platers.

They appear to have originated in France during the later 17th century and French pocket fruit knives have invariably been of top quality ever since. One of these was apparently given by King Charles II to Nell Gwyn.

The reader is given an appreciation of the complexities of hallmarking, and how to avoid the many pitfalls for unwary buyers - some obvious, but many much more difficult to spot.

A great many plain, some would venture boring, examples circulate in the Trade all the time but there are many to delight even the most particular aesthete and even after 40 years of collecting, the author is still surprised by hitherto unseen styles.

With the occasional addition of a fork, even a spoon, the development of these items is traced through social spheres, historic occasions, foreign and Art Movement influences."

Edition details

• Publisher: Graphic Solutions
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0955950708
• ISBN 13: 9780955950704
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 296