4506

Sheffield, 19th Century

JOSEPH RODGERS & SONS WHARNCLIFFE THREE-BLADE POCKETKNIFE

Checkered fiery pearl handle mounted with a silver acorn shield. Silver clamshell-type bolsters. Marked "Wharncliffe Knife" on main blade. All three blades with stamped marks for Rodgers, including "Rodgers Cutlers to Her Majesty", "No. 6 Norfolk Street Sheffield", and with the Star and Maltese cross trademark. One of the most desirable whittler pattern knives.
Length 4.25".
Condition: No significant wear or damages noted. Plaque unengraved.

The absence of a condition report does not imply an object is free of defects. All items may have normal signs of age and wear commensurate with their age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact Eldred's before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction. 

  • Provenance:
    The Property of a Gentleman: The Estate of Peter Goldstein.

    References:
    An identical example is illustrated in Sheffield Exhibition Knives by Bill Claussen, et al (Salem, Ore.: Old World Publishing, Ltd., 1999), p. 86-87.

    Notes:
    Wharncliffe blades are relatively short but thick and very sturdy. They typically have a rounded spine that tapers to a point and a straight edge. The blade is named after Lord Wharncliffe, who supposedly devised the style with a dinner companion one night. Wharncliffe was patron of Joseph Rodgers and thus presented the pattern to the manufacturer sometime in the 1820s/30s.

    Joseph Rodgers & Sons, founded in 1682 in Sheffield, was one of the largest and most prolific cutlery manufacturers in England. Their Six-pointed Star and Maltese cross trademark was registered in 1764, and in 1821 the company was granted title of Cutlers to the Royal family, a Royal warrant they would hold for five successive sovereigns – George IV, William IV, Queen Victoria, Edward II and George V.

    It was around this time they opened their first showroom, a proud display of their extensive range of pocketknives, razors, table cutlery and scissors, as well as their two famous exhibition knives, the Year Knife, with a blade added for each year of Christendom, and the 75-blade Norfolk Knife, made for the 1851 Great Exhibition, with blades elaborately etched or chased with hunting scenes or views of notable people and buildings. The showrooms were lavishly appointed and drew patrons from around the globe.

    The firm grew to be Sheffield's largest cutlery factory, known for its superior quality, and exported products internationally. Notably, George Custer is said to have given a Rodgers hunting knife to Buffalo Bill.

    Despite robust overseas trade, Rodgers & Sons underwent several changes in ownership throughout the 20th Century before the rights to the name and trademark were purchased by Egginton in 1986.

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We require prompt payment and removal of your purchases as stated in Paragraph 12 of the Conditions of Sale. If you plan to pick up your purchases, please call ahead and we'll make every effort to have your items ready. Our physical address is 1483 Route 6A, East Dennis, MA. Pick up of smaller items at our Mystic, CT location is also available with advance notice.
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February 28, 2024 9:30 AM EST
East Dennis, MA, US

Eldred's

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
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$50 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000