Letter Openers

1910? Bronze (?) letter opener 12" long with a maximum width of almost 1½". The handle is a fox; on the blade are the grapes which the fox seeks. $49.99 from Dyan Wilder-McClure, Newport, OR, through Ebay, Dec., '99.

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Exquisite metal work! The fox fits the hand perfectly. Dyan comments correctly that this heavy piece is more like a dagger than a letter opener. The fox seems to be clutching the vine as he tries to climb up toward the grapes. I had never seen something like this! A great find! It will be hard to stop using it on my desk.

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