Victorian Her Majesty’s Stationary Office Quill Knife by John Clarke & Son Sheffield c1860

Here on offer is a Victorian Her Majesty’s Stationary Office quill knife by John Clarke & Son Sheffield, circa 1860.

The quill knife has an oblong section tapered mahogany handle that is securely fitted with a small single edged steel pointed blade.

On one side of the handle, it is impressed with the makers details:

J. CLARKE
& SON
SHEFFIELD
Along with the mark for Her Majesty’s Stationary Office, being an “S (CROWN) O”.

The quill knife is in excellent condition with just some light marks and scratches to the handle and the blade has some very light greying to the finish but maintains a sharp cutting edge.

The blade measures 2” (5cm) long and the whole knife measures 6.1” (15.5cm) long.

It weighs 26g.

Some history about John Clarke & Son.

“Fine Cutlery Merchants' was how John Clarke liked himself to be known before the Great War.
The firm was founded in 1848 by John Clarke and was based in Harvest Lane in Neepsend. The business expanded under the founder's son, Thomas, who took control in about 1873.

The company acquired the business and trademarks of William Rodgers, which had been founded in 1830, Wm. Rodgers' name and its catchy mark, 'I Cut My Way', was used prominently by Clarke's thereafter.

The firm's own marks were 'Neva', granted in 1856; and EXPRESS. The 'Ring' mark was also used on Clarke's razors, which were an important line for the firm in the nineteenth century. Hollow-ground razors were a specialty and the firm also marketed one of the first safety razors-the Gem. Its showrooms also had a good selection of knives, including knives 5/16" long (perfect miniatures), to the most expensive sportsmen's knives, gold and silver mounted, containing every article a sportsman can require.

Table-knives and carvers were another Line. In the 1890s, it had agents in London, New York and Melbourne. By 1914, the firm had moved to nearby Mowbray Street, where its new factory was built on the banks of the River Don. It was to Remain there well into the twentieth century as one of the last producers of hand-made pocket-knives: it also made large numbers of Bowie knives. Clarke's ceased making knives in about 1983.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding deliver charges and additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 51755