Hartshorn: Stewart Hartshorn Aircraft Tie Rod Letter Opener

Name/Title

Hartshorn: Stewart Hartshorn Aircraft Tie Rod Letter Opener

Entry/Object ID

2013.012.001

Description

This letter opener is made from one of the Hartshorn aircraft/airplane steel tie rods and was obviously a promotional item. Hartshorn advertised that his tie rods are useful "for all internal fuselage and wing bracing." The plane image etched on the handle is a biplane, so it is presumed the tie rods are for bracing the wings of that plane. The blade of the letter opener is engraved: HARTSHORN; Shade Roller; Shade Cloth; Steel Wire; Streamline Tie Rods" The handle is engraved: "HARTSHORN; Stream Line Wires" and with an image of a biplane. Some of the engraved words on the blade are worn near the edges of the blade and there is a pinhead-sized bit of corrosion at the tip of one side of the handle. Purchased on eBay from Michael A. Reay; 5463 Vista Ct; San Antonio TX 78247; eBay ID: bassettgirl 2011; E-mail: mykeyre@aol.com

Collection

Hartshorn Roller Shade Company

Acquisition

Accession

2013.012

Source or Donor

Lynne Ranieri

Dimensions

Height

9-3/4 in