Pocket Fruit Knives: A Synopsis of Their History from the United Kingdom, France, Northern Europe and USA

Simon Moore's "Pocket Fruit Knives, A Synopsis of their History from The United Kingdom, France, Northern Europe and USA" was impressive even at manuscript stage, with the authors' many years of dedicated research and 40 years collecting fruit knives very apparent. Designed in a format which allows impressive and more than 600 detailed images of a huge range of knives to be shown at their best, it is comprehensive and interesting and great value for 'old hands' at antique knife collecting as well as newcomers. Antique dealers and collectors will be amazed at the variety and number of fruit knives, and find stunning photographs of exhibition quality knives - even some with timepieces or musical boxes incorporated!

Table of Contents:
A brief history of pocket and fruit knives in Europe up to 1650Early French pocket fruit knivesEvolution of English pocket fruit knives to c.1770: the period of confusionThe Pistol-grip period: 1770-1790The Golden Age: 1790-1815Later Regency to pre-Victorian. Rococo and neo-classical re-visited: 1815-1837The extravagance of the Victorian period: 1837-1890 & later French pocket fruit knivesThe declining years: 1890-1940Pocket fruit knives from other countriesCollecting, construction, pitfalls, fakery and faultsPocket fruit knives, list of makers, references & further reading

About the Author :
Simon Moore has always had a boyish enthusiasm for pocket knives, especially after he inherited a fine and late Victorian example from his maternal Grandfather. Despite following a career in the Natural Sciences, his first purchase of a pocket fruit knife in 1968 at Londons Portobello Road Market paved the way for a collection and an interest that is still unabated at the present. His first article about them in 1975 stirred up much interest and brought about his meeting with fellow collectors. Since then he has written many further articles about them, also 3 Shire booklets and a book about the history of Pocket and Table Cutlery and regularly gives talks about these subjects. He is always pleased to meet fellow collectors and discuss fruit knife or other cutlery-related conundrums, of which there are many!

Review :
UK antiquarian & knife authority David Petty: "This unique facility will ensure that users have all the information to hand to make informed investment decisions, better indentify potentially fake or problematic items, and advise on restoration techniques, designed to save the reader considerable time and money. If you trade or collect antique knives, this product will undoubtedly pay for itself very quickly."