Reading & Writing Accessories: A Study of Paper-Knives, Paper Folders, Letter Openers and Mythical Page Turners

First U.S. edition and the first appearance of the index. Never before has there been a detailed account of what was probably the most common item to be found in Victorian libraries and on Victorian writing desks. They were paperknives (paper cutters) and were used to slit open the uncut pages of books, newspapers and magazines. Paper folders are still used today but what is the difference between a paperknife and a paper folder? Letter openers and paper-knives have a different histories and different functions. The term page turner is embedded in the vocabulary of the world of antiques and collectables. It has come as a huge surprise that page turners are a myth. This lavishly illustrated book is both informative and entertaining. It is brimming with new information about reading and writing accessories.