West Asian Letter Openers

Count Gleichen’s Russian shell paperweight, the tooth shaped fragment of a Russian armament shell set above another of rectangular form both raised on a silver mount on an ebonized rectangular plinth, applied with a plaque reading ‘Two fragments of a Russian shell fired at Mr Fred Burne assist.t paymaster and Mr Henry Crave St John midshipman of H.M.S. Cumberland in Aug.t 1854 from Tsee Fort Bonarsund whilst conveying refreshments to the English camp – for their messmate – H.S.H. Prince Victor of Hohenlohe Midshipman landed with the Naval Brigade in 1854’. With a framed caricature of Count Gleichen inscribed Vanity Fair, London, July 5, 1884. Vice Admiral H.S.H Count Gleichen – the Queen’s Nephew.Russian and English, 1854. The print has the following biography on the reverse and on the mount ‘His Serene Highness Prince Victor …. of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, is better known in England as Count Gleichen and as the Queen’s nephew. Born fifty years ago, he was sent to school at Dresden; but at the age of fourteen he conceived ideas not to be bounded within the confines of the small life of a German principality. So he ran away from school to go to sea, and his aunt the Queen of England, being informed of the fact, proposed to her sister to let her adventurous nephew become naturalised as an Englishman and enter the English Navy. This was accordingly done, and Prince Victor, as he was then called, was appointed to the Powerful on the Mediterranean Station, in 1848. He served in the Crimean War and in the operations in China he proved a popular officer and a good sailor-man, and was three times wounded in battle. In 1861 he married the daughter of Admiral Sir George Seymour, sister of the fifth Marquis of Hertford on which occasion it was that he put down his title of Prince and took up for future use that of Count. He became, in due course a Vice-Admiral, and in the meantime he also became a sculptor. It is in the latter art that he now mainly busies himself, and he has created many pleasing busts of his royal relatives and some works of greater pretensions than family portraits. An Alfred the Great, a Beaconsfield, and a Prince Imperial...

Carl Auböck Model #4233 brass and leather paper knife. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural knife is executed in polished brass and handwoven brown leather....

Wonderfully hand crafted piece. Original vintage condition. Great patina. Great for decor and collections...

Carl Auböck #4233-2 Letter Opener, Austria 2022.

A vintage brass letter opener with a Greek-Key like design on handle, circa 20th century. Dimensions: .63" W x 7.5" Long. Other desk accessories available separately, search 1stDibs ref. #s: Italian desk/letter organizer...

A pair of scissors and letter opener in a handstitched, elephant gray leather scabbard by Paul Dupre-Lafon for Hermes, Paris. This desk set was well-used by its once owner who was ap...

Vintage Letter Opener.

English Brass Desk Set Letter Opener and Magnifying Glass

Vintage Letter Opener, So beautiful, very nice condition!

Sophie Buhai Sterling Silver Nautilus Letter Opener or Knife, USA> A decorative letter opener, 8", 41g, Handcrafted in Los Angeles. Through her names...

This sterling silver letter opener is a handsome piece that makes a great gift. Not only is it functional but a beautiful accent to your desk. Sleek and unadorned it works with any d...

Solid Brass Mid Century Modern Etruscan style horse letter opener. A compliment to any desk or work station, and especially those with a MCM twist. A beautifully designed piece...