A small letter seal. Antique Writing Tool. c1850

A small letter seal. Antique Writing Tool. c1850A turned mutton bone letter seal with a silver 'waffle' patterned matrix. Just under 4cm long (1. 5 inches) In very good condition. Stock no. ls18

This example is slightly shorter than usual so could fit a Georgian etui where others have proved too long

filigree in design but against a solid silver background rather than just the wirework

The honey coloured material is a tagua nut from the South American ivory nut palm which can be carved and turned when new but hardens over time

An early silver tape measure made of engraved silver and containing a pink ribbon tape printed with measurements in inches

5 cm long as photographed

A cut glass cheroot holder in a cranberry colour

In excellent condition-no damage and the tape winds in and out freely

( the joint was loose when acquired )   French c 1800

The back has both the silver assay mark (lion) and duty mark (monarch's head) plus the maker's mark in italics ML -which research shows it to be a London silversmith called Thomas Wallis II despite his initials being different

The bodkin would have been a silver one originally but the steel replacement is exactly the right size

'William Walin Stokeline 1839'

as the tips of the blades cross a tiny bit