Retro Letter Opener
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Vintage Letter Opener
Located in Greven, DE
Vintage Letter Opener.
Category
Mid-20th Century Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass
Antique Letter Opener
Located in Greven, DE
Vintage Letter Opener,
So beautiful, very nice condition!
Category
Mid-20th Century Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass
Brass Letter Opener
Located in Richmond, VA
Vintage letter opener in stainless steel with a brass jug handle. Stamped McCrory's 1989, stainless
Category
1980s Turkish Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass, Stainless Steel
Letter opener around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Letter opener around 1950s
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass
20th Century Letter Opener
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Letter Opener,
So beautiful, very nice condition!
Category
Mid-20th Century Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass
Brass Letter Opener
Located in New York, NY
A vintage brass letter opener with a Greek-Key like design on handle, circa 20th century
Category
Mid-20th Century Greek Revival Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass
Antique Letter Opener with Signature
Located in Greven, DE
Vintage Letter Opener,
So beautiful, very nice condition!
Category
Mid-20th Century Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass
Cartier sterling silver letter opener
By Cartier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Cartier sterling silver letter opener , Marked 75 , 6 inches.
Category
1960s French Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Sterling Silver
Auböck letter opener, 1950s, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Auböck letter opener made of brass and rattan, , 1950s, Austria
Category
1950s Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass
Primavera Gilt Sunburst Letter Opener
Located in New York, NY
“Primavera” Gilt Sunburst Letter Opener. Vintage chic desk accessory gilt metal letter opener with
Category
Mid-20th Century French Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Metal
Carl Auböck Letter Opener, Austria, 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck letter opener in horn, Austria 1960s.
Category
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Horn
Italian Leather Letter Opener
Located in New York, NY
An Italian black leather gold embossed resin letter opener, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Piece is
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Leather, Resin
Two Amber And Silver Letter Openers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Two letter openers in dark, yellow and nearly white amber. Hallmarked silver.
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver
1980s Sterling Silver Swan Letter Opener
By Sarah Jones Silver 1
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive vintage Elizabeth II English sterling silver letter opener; an
Category
1980s Great Britain (UK) Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage Brass Color Nautical Letter Opener.
Located in Seattle, WA
Letter Opener with Anchor and Rope Details at the Top. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Metal
1970's Letter opener by Maison Hermès
By Hermès
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1970's Letter opener in plated silver signed by
Maison Hermès
France
Category
1970s French Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver Plate
Silver Plated Equestrian Letter Opener, Italy, 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Silver plated equestrian letter opener, Italy, 1980s.
This is a must-have on any gentleman
Category
1980s Italian Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver Plate
Vintage Austrian Letter Opener and tray Vienna 1950
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful desk set comprises a letter opener and a small desk tray. The letter opener is made
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass
Vintage Sterling Silver Letter Opener Torchon, Italy, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage sterling silver letter opener torchon, Italy, 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver Plate
Vienna Art Nouveau Lady Figure Bronze Letter Opener
Located in Danville, CA
Art Nouveau lady figure bronze letter opener
Here is a Art Nouveau bronze letter opener. Front
Category
Late 20th Century Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass
Italian Silver and Black Wood Turner Letter Opener, 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian silver and black wood turner letter opener.
Good vintage condition.
Category
1980s Italian Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver
Rare Christofle Silvered Napoleon Empereur Letter Opener 1970s France
By Christofle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Christofle silvered Napoleon Empereur letter opener, 1970s, France.
Unique and precious
Category
1970s French Neoclassical Revival Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver Plate
Carl Aubock, Letter Opener, Leather and Brass, Austria, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Stockholm, SE
Letter opener by Carl Auböck. Made in brass with leather handle, Austria, 1950s.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass
Late 20th Century English Solid Brass Fox Letter Opener
Located in Middleburg, VA
Late 20th Century English Solid Brass Fox Letter Opener
Measures: 2" H, 11.5" L, 1" D
Category
Late 20th Century English Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass
Horse Equine Sterling Silver Plate Letter Opener
By Reed & Barton
Located in New York, NY
A substantial sterling silver plate letter opener with horse head handle made by Reed & Barton
Category
Mid-20th Century American American Classical Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Metal, Silver Plate
20th Cebtury Italian Big Sterling Silver Letter Opener
By Arval Argenti Valenza
Located in VALENZA, IT
Large, completely handmade, sterling silver letter opener.
Perfect for a prestigious desk.
The
Category
1990s Italian Other Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Sterling Silver
Vintage Sterling Silver Letter Opener Pattern Torchon, England, 1950s Price
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage sterling silver letter opener pattern torchon, England, 1950s.
Category
1950s English Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver Plate
Silver Plated Equestrian Horse Head Letter Opener, Italy, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A silver plated equestrian letter opener with a horse's head handle. This is a must-have on any
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver Plate
Gucci Gold Metal Letter Opener in Black Leather Case
By Gucci
Located in New York, NY
Gucci gold cast metal letter opener with signature double G logo at handle.
Engraved signature on
Category
Late 20th Century Italian International Style Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Metal
Pair of Letter Opener and Paperknife in Agate and Bone, Italy, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of letter opener and paperknife in agate and bone, Italy, 1960s.
Dimensions:
Letter opener
Category
1960s Italian Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Agate
Vintage Brass Dachshund Dog Letter Opener Desk Accessory
Located in North Miami, FL
This mid century modern brass letter opener is of a dachshund dog in repose as the top part. It is
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass
Vintage French Equestrian Letter Opener, Christian Dior, c.1970's
By Christian Dior
Located in Bath, GB
An unusual and highly sought-after vintage silver plated letter opener by the world renowned
Category
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver Plate
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H 1.5 in W 9.75 in D 1.5 in
Silver Plate Bambi Roe Deer Fawn Letter Opener Vintage, Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian letter opener. Nice addition to your desktop or just for your
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver Plate
Hans Hansen Rosewood Letter Opener with Silver Bee, 1950s
By Hans Hansen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unique hand-finished letter opener in solid rosewood. It has an inlaid silver and enamel plakette
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver
Mexican Modernist Hand Wrought 950 Silver Letter Opener with Onyx Handle
Located in New York, NY
Mexican mid century modern hand wrought 950 silver letter opener with hand carved Aztec motif green
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Onyx, Sterling Silver
Jens Risom "R" Rosewood Letter Opener Marked Franz Hingelberg Denmark
By Frantz Hingelberg, Jens Risom
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Rosewood letter opener from the office of Jens Risom
marked with the Jens Risom "R" and also
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Rosewood
Austrian Midcentury Golden Brass Dachshund Letter Opener by Walter Bosse
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Vienna, AT
This charming Austrian Midcentury golden solid brass letter opener or paper knife has been designed
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass
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H 1.19 in W 8.67 in D 0.79 in
Modernist Abstract Sword Copper Plated Brass Letter Opener like Carl Aubock
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Honest time worn age. Heavy wear and patina to plating letter opener, beautiful understated piece
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass
H 0.44 in W 8.25 in D 1.13 in
20th Century Gabriella Crespi Metal Letter Opener in Shape of Seahorse '70s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Turin, Turin
Very peculiar letter opener designed by Gabriella Crespi in '70s. The letter opener has a very
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Metal
H 1.58 in W 13.39 in D 3.15 in
Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Plate Windmill Letter Opener for KLM Airlines
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful sterling silver plate windmill letter opener for KLM Airlines in the Art Nouveau style
Category
Mid-20th Century European Art Nouveau Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver Plate
H 5.75 in W 0.63 in D 0.19 in
Original Midcentury Carl Auböck Horn and Leather Letter Opener
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a unique piece of Mid-Century Modern design. The letter opener was carefully hand
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Horn, Leather
Horse Shoe Leg Vienna Bronze Letter Opener, Antique Austria 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian letter opener. It has a nice patina.
I did not clean it, so the next
Category
1950s Austrian Folk Art Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Hermes, Paris, Equestrian / Horse Head Letter Opener, c.1960
By Hermès, Ravinet D' Enfert
Located in Bath, GB
A highly collectable letter opener or paper knife made by silver plated bronze and dating to c.1960
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver Plate
Monique Gerber French Sculptural Cast Bronze Letter Opener Art du Bronze
By Monique Gerber
Located in Chicago, IL
Monique Gerber French bronze cast letter opener in a very sculptural and minimalist form
Category
1970s French Minimalist Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Bronze
Hermes, Paris, Equestrian / Horse Head Letter Opener, c.1960
By Hermès, Ravinet D' Enfert
Located in Bath, GB
A highly collectable letter opener or paper knife made in gilded bronze and dating to c.1960; a
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Bronze
Vintage English Solid Silver Novelty Golf Club Letter Opener, London 1984
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous twentieth century solid sterling silver letter opener, English in origin and made from
Category
1980s English Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Sterling Silver
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H 7.75 in W 1.63 in D 0.25 in
Exceptional, Elegant and Heavy Brass Letter Opener by Carl Auböck, Vienna, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Munich, DE
Unique Mid-Century Modern letter opener. Designed and manufactured by Carl Auböck in Vienna
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass
H 0.2 in W 0.91 in D 8.08 in
Koa Wood Letter Openers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice sculptural forms with a beautiful patina.
Both are engraved "Kamaka Hawaii".
The tips have some chips.
Presents well.
Great for collections and decor...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Wood
Letter Opener
By Maria Pergay
Located in New York, NY
Silvered metal letter opener with handle mimicking deer antlers.
Category
1960s French Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver, Metal
Stunning Solid Silver Swan Letter Opener by Sarah Jones
By Sarah Jones Silver 1
Located in Bath, GB
A wonderful top quality letter opener by the well renowned modern silversmith, Sarah Jones.
This
Category
1980s British Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century/C. 1970 Silvered Napoleon Empereur Letter Opener by Christofle
By Christofle
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 20th century/circa 1970 silvered Napoleon Empereur letter opener by Christofle
By: Christofle
Category
Late 20th Century French Renaissance Revival Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver, Silver Plate, Metal
H 0.5 in W 9 in D 2 in
Silver Dunhill Letter Opener with a Horse Head London, 1981
By Dunhill
Located in London, GB
An impressive quality Silver Dunhill letter opener with an intricately carved horses head on one
Category
1980s English Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver
Modern Letter Opener Richard Meier
By Swid Powell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic post modern design.
Form + function.
Whimsical spinning cube.
Signs of wear.
Some scratches on the tip with patina.
Presents well.
Nice desk accessory...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Jean Filhos for Christofle Silvered Bronze Erotic Letter Opener Nude, 1974 Franc
By Christofle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Midcentury silvered erotic letter opener or bookmark with nudes by the French artist Jean Filhos
Category
1970s French Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Silver
H 8 in W 1 in D 0.8 in
Aztec Eagle Letter Opener
By Antoñio Pineda
Located in Taxco de Alarcon, Guerrero
Sterling silver letter opener .925, onyx and obsidian, openwork technique, laminated and chiselled
Category
1970s Mexican Artisan Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Sterling Silver
French Brass Duck’s Head Letter Opener, Paper Knife
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
French brass duck’s head letter ppener, paper knife
A great desk piece, the knife sits neatly on
Category
Mid-20th Century Beaux Arts Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass
Rare Gucci Solid Sterling Silver Lion's Paw Letter Opener
By Gucci
Located in Bath, GB
I have only ever had one other of these and it was silver over bronze; I was amazed to find this heavy solid silver example fully marked "925" on the underside and signed by the famo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Sterling Silver
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H 0.75 in W 10.25 in D 1.25 in
Vintage Wooden Letter Opener With Folk Style Art on Handles.
Located in Seattle, WA
Makers Mark Reading “Spindlermuhle” on the Back. Translate From German to a Town in the Czech Republic. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured.
Dimensions. 8 W ; 1 1/2 D
Category
1970s Folk Art Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Wood
Carl Auböck Letter Opener, Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Leather and Brass Letter Opener, Austria 1960s.
Category
1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Brass
Birmingham 1994 Sterling Silver Letter Opener
Located in Montreal, QC
Birmingham 1994 sterling silver letter opener, dragon design in the original box, 8 1/2 inches long
Category
1990s British Retro Letter Opener
Materials
Sterling Silver
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Retro Letter Opener For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal retro letter opener for your home. Frequently made of metal, silver and brass, every retro letter opener was constructed with great care. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer retro letter opener, there are earlier versions available from the 20th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. A retro letter opener made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Modern — is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one retro letter opener that is appealing in its simplicity, but Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Hermès and Georg Jensen produced versions that are worth a look.
How Much is a Retro Letter Opener?
The average selling price for a retro letter opener at 1stDibs is $578, while they’re typically $49 on the low end and $18,500 for the highest priced.
Finding the Right desk-accessories for You
Whether you’ve carved out a space for a nifty home office or you prefer the morning commute, why not dress up your desk with antique and vintage desk accessories? To best tiptoe the line between desk efficiency and desk enjoyment, we suggest adding a touch of the past to your modern-day space.
Desks are a funny thing. Their basic premise has remained the same for quite literally centuries: a flat surface, oftentimes a drawer, and potentially a shelf or two. However, the contents that lay upon the desk? Well, the evolution has been drastic to say the least.
Thank the Victorians for the initial popularity of the paperweight. The Industrial Revolution offered the novel concept of leisure-time to Europeans, giving them more time to take part in the then crucial activity of letter writing. Decorative glass paperweight designs were all the rage, and during the mid-19th-century some of the most popular makers included the French companies of Baccarat, St. Louis and Clichy.
As paper was exceedingly expensive in the early to mid-19th-century, every effort was made to utilize a full sheet of it. Paper knives, which gave way to the modern letter opener, were helpful for cutting paper down to an appropriate size.
Books — those bound volumes of paper, you may recall — used to be common occurrences on desks of yore and where there were books there needed to be bookends. As a luxury item, bookend designs have run the gamut from incorporating ultra-luxurious materials (think marble and Murano glass) to being whimsical desk accompaniments (animal figurines were highly popular choices).
Though the inkwell’s extinction was ushered in by the advent of the ballpoint pen (itself quasi-obsolete at this point), there is still significant charm to be had from placing one of these bauble-like objets in a central spot on one’s desk. You may be surprised to discover the mood-boosting powers an antique — and purposefully empty — inkwell can provide.
The clamor for desk clocks arose as the Industrial Revolution transitioned labor from outdoors to indoors, and allowed for the mass-production of clock parts in factories. Naturally, elaborate designs soon followed and clocks could be found made by artisans and luxury houses like Cartier.
Find antique and vintage desk accessories today on 1stDibs.
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