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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Belgium and the Netherlands Glass => Topic started by: catshome on February 27, 2007, 11:40:32 AM

Title: Val St Lambert Glass Dagger/Sword Letter Opener
Post by: catshome on February 27, 2007, 11:40:32 AM
Yesterday I had my paws on what I would have described as a glass sword - I thought it might be a ceremonial thing for maybe cutting a wedding cake.  I would say it must have been around 20" long.

Last night I was flicking through Miller's Collecting Glass (Yates) looking for something else, and on page 160 I saw the identical piece - described as a letter opener by Val St Lambert - but with no measurements.

I wondered if anyone could give me any more information as I rather liked it and might pop back later today.  I have trawled ebay and googled it too, also tried the VSL website (I emailed their info addy while I was there), but cannot find a glass sword/dagger/letter opener anywhere.

Thank you for looking
Cat
Title: Re: Val St Lambert Glass Dagger/Sword Letter Opener
Post by: josordoni on February 27, 2007, 11:47:04 AM
Flipping big letter to need a letter opener 20 ins long???

Title: Re: Val St Lambert Glass Dagger/Sword Letter Opener
Post by: Anne on February 27, 2007, 11:53:35 AM
Glass swords are not unknown, Cat. Ray Annenberg made fourteen at Whitefriars Glass... see the story on his son, Paul's, website... http://www.thru-the-lookinglass.co.uk/
Title: Re: Val St Lambert Glass Dagger/Sword Letter Opener
Post by: Glen on February 27, 2007, 11:55:23 AM
Flipping big letter to need a letter opener 20 ins long???

For all those really big  bills  ;D (could also be used for harakiri afterwards  :-X)

(apologies for irresistible, compulsive wibbling  :-[)

Title: Re: Val St Lambert Glass Dagger/Sword Letter Opener
Post by: catshome on February 27, 2007, 12:01:41 PM
I was thinking it might be useful when the postman rings my doorbell insistently at 8am when I went to bed at 5am..................

The letter opener idea was in Miller's - I can't see how you could open a letter at arms length - I have enough trouble finding the little space for my tiny letter opener.  But it would look great in wedding cake cutting pics.  Maybe I should buy it and hire it out!

Cat
Title: Re: Val St Lambert Glass Dagger/Sword Letter Opener
Post by: Lustrousstone on February 27, 2007, 12:28:31 PM
At 20 inches, its practical use is more likely to be a page turner like the ivory ones that pop up on Antiques Roadshow - that is if it had a use. How to read your Sun without gettiong dirty hands >:D . Glass lettuce knives can be found but they are not so long
Title: Re: Val St Lambert Glass Dagger/Sword Letter Opener
Post by: Ivo on February 27, 2007, 12:53:04 PM
full size crystal swords are the speciality of Sardinia crystal. the VSL item may have been a miniature?
Title: Re: Val St Lambert Glass Dagger/Sword Letter Opener
Post by: catshome on February 27, 2007, 01:13:21 PM
Ivo - would that be the Sardinia Crystal some of whose work you described as "a waste of good crystal"?! :P

I just wanted to clarify the size - I didn't measure it but I estimate it would have been about 20".  It was identical in every way to the one in the book - even the dark purple handle.  Unfortunately the one in the book doesn't have a size given.  I was hoping their might be a VSL book/catalogue which included this item and the size.......and that somebody here might have it.  We'll see what happens!

Cat
Title: Re: Val St Lambert Glass Dagger/Sword Letter Opener
Post by: Ivo on February 27, 2007, 03:25:56 PM
It sounds like something I could have said but honestly I can not remember. >:D

I looked up swords in the full VSL catalogue from the year 2000 - but there are none.

Title: Re: Val St Lambert Glass Dagger/Sword Letter Opener
Post by: catshome on February 27, 2007, 04:57:19 PM
I couldn't resist it............(well I had to go back and get the Hadeland decanter anyway)

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10086/smallerDSCN0795.jpg

Hilt :

http://glassgallery.yobunny.org.uk/albums/userpics/10086/smallerDSCN0796.jpg

Actual size 18.5" (I really really really want to do that old 6 inches joke here but I'm terrified of being banned!).  Obviously as much use as a chocolate teapot!

It is identical to the one in Miller's, and they seem to be scarce enough that I could justify the purchase even if I only keep it a little while.

Cat