ANTQ F&B VICTORIAN c.1890’s STERLING SILVER FANCY REPOUSSE ABRASIVE INK ERASER For Sale

ANTIQUE F&B VICTORIAN c. 1890-95 STERLING SILVER HANLED FANCY ABRASIVE INK ERASER WITH ELABORATE FLORAL / SCROLL & BEADED ORNAMENTAL RAISED WORK.

DOUBLE-SIDED.

NO MONO EITHER SIDE

While they both serve the same purpose, namely to erase ink, there is a distinction between the steel ink scraper /eraser knife and the abrasive- tipped ink eraser.

The steel blade of the ink scraper/eraser knife actually scrapes the dried ink and a microscopic layer of paper away. This method was in long use on parchment scrolls even prior to the Victorian era.

With the abrasive eraser, the projecting end is rubbed over the writing to remove the ink mechanically.

There is good documentary evidence that “sand rubber” ink erasers were being sold as early as 1867. They consisted of rubber containing a fine abrasive or grit, described as being in the nature of pumice or emery.

The two systems overlapped considerably. The older knife did not suddenly disappear when abrasive erasers appeared. So by the 1880s–1890s a well-equipped Victorian desk could conceivably have had both implements.

In fact, period technical instructions recommend using a steel eraser first to remove heavy deposits and then a sand rubber to finish and smooth the erasure.

This little tool isn’t simply a utilitarian object with a silver handle. Foster & Bailey made the entire object ornamental. The extensive chased/raised floral decoration, beaded collar and elaborate terminal indicate that this was intended as a luxurious personal writing accessory, presumably for a fairly well-appointed desk.

In general, these fancy sterling handled erasers are harder to find than the more commonly encountered ink scraper / eraser knife variety.

I love that the erasing material is original and substantially worn/broken/discolored showing it was actually used rather than simply being a decorative desk object.

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