Object Timeline

1905

  • Work on this object began.

1915

  • Work on this object ended.

1957

  • We acquired this object.

2015

2025

  • You found it!

Letter Opener and Magnifying Glass Letter Opener, Magnifying Glass

This is a letter opener, magnifying glass. It was manufactured by Barrett and Sons and Barrett and Sons. It is dated ca. 1910 and we acquired it in 1957. Its medium is silver, silver plated, metal, glass. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

This object was donated by Anonymous. It is credited Gift of Anonymous Donor.

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 26.7 × 6.6 × 0.6 cm (10 1/2 × 2 5/8 × 1/4 in.)

It has the following markings

On blade face: [1] “A B & S” “N S” over “. . “ in reserve, stamped (maker’s mark, A. Barrett & Sons) [2] leopard’s head, stamped (London town mark) [3] lion passant, stamped (British standard mark) [4] mark, stamped (effaced date letter mark) On blade reverse: [1] “A. BARRETT & SONS / 63 & 64 PICADILLY / LONDON”, stamped (maker’s mark, A. Barrett & Sons)

Cite this object as

Letter Opener and Magnifying Glass Letter Opener, Magnifying Glass; Manufactured by Barrett and Sons; silver, silver plated, metal, glass; H x W x D: 26.7 × 6.6 × 0.6 cm (10 1/2 × 2 5/8 × 1/4 in.); Gift of Anonymous Donor; 1957-100-16

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18411313/ |title=Letter Opener and Magnifying Glass Letter Opener, Magnifying Glass |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=16 April 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>