William Needham pocket fruit knife with commemorative hallmark, 1934

Description

​William Needham (1853–1915) was a distinguished silversmith and cutler renowned for his craftsmanship in producing pocket fruit knives. Born in Sheffield, he was the son of Joseph Needham, a maker of joiner’s tools. During his teenage years, William apprenticed as a silver cutler, and by 1881 he had established his own workshop on Jessop Street. Needham became one of Sheffield’s most prolific pocket fruit knife makers. In 1911 he relocated his business to Eyre Street. William Needham died in 1915 and the business was continued by his sons, William Henry Needham (1877–1963) and Ralph Clarke Needham (1883–1967). This example of a Needham pocket fruit knife is rare late example — perhaps one of the last made. It is traditionally made with bbrass liners and rounded iridescent mother-of-pearl scales with an inlaid cartouche. What makes this pocket fruit knife rare is one of the hallmarks. The blade has five crisp hallmarks from the Sheffield Assay Office: the Sheffield crown, lion passant, date letter “S” for 1935, and the “WN” maker’s mark. It also has the superimposed profiles of King George and Queen Mary which was used for a short period to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the accession to the throne. This fine and rare example of a 1930s pocket fruit knife is in excellent condition.