Souvenir letter opener, with view of Brighton

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This souvenir letter opener was probably produced by the firm of W & A Smith in Mauchline in Ayrshire. Made of varnished sycamore, it dates from the late 19th century.

The top surface of the letter opener has been transfer printed with a view of 'THE WEST PIER AND BEACH, BRIGHTON'.

The firm of W & A Smith is said to have started in the early 1820s. Initially they made snuff boxes and razor strops (straps for sharpening razors). By 1841 they were selling tartan souvenir wares and in 1850 they published their 'Authenticated Tartans of the Clans and Families of Scotland'. This publication not only provided critical authority for 69 different tartans but also publicised Smith's technique for printing tartan on their wares.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-999-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  K.1998.470
• Date: c. 1860
  Late 19th century
  
• Material: Sycamore; varnished; transfer-printed
  Letter opener / page turner / souvenir
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Letter opener / page turner / souvenir
  
• Subject:
• Who: W. and A. Smith, Mauchline, Ayrshire (Maker)
  
• Where: England, Sussex, Brighton (West Pier / beach)
  Scotland, Ayrshire, Mauchline
  
• Event:
• Description: Souvenir letter-opener or page-turner in varnished, transfer-printed sycamore showing the West Pier and Beach, Brighton: Scottish, Ayrshire, by W. and A. Smith, Mauchline, c. 1860 - 1910
  
• References:
  • Evans, G. Souvenirs From Roman Times to the Present Day. Edinburgh: NMS Publishing Ltd, 1999, pp 47-8. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: