Letter Opener
Manufacturer
Tiffany Studios
(American, founded 1879)
Datec. 1898-1906
Mediumbronze with favrile glass
Dimensions3/4 × 9 3/8 inches (1.9 × 23.8 cm)
Credit LineBequest of Nelda C. Stark, 1999
Object number51.72.8.F
ClassificationsWritten Communication T&E
DescriptionPart of 12 piece set; teardrop shaped handle; Byzantine pattern; gold colored metal; circular cabochon coral colored stone above rectangular shape stone; beaded trim design.Label TextWilliam Stark likely used this bronze Tiffany Studios desk set in the Breakfast Room, which he often used as a home office. The Byzantine-style set includes a pen tray, ink well, clip, note pad, and corners for a blotter pad. Each piece is inlaid with orange favrile glass, an art glass patented by Louis Tiffany in the 1890s.
William Stark worked for the Lutcher & Moore Lumber Company for nearly 40 years, becoming company President in 1913. What kind of letters do you think passed over this desk set? William likely used the worn letter opener to open notes from his wife, Miriam. Perhaps the letter holder stored details of a 1919 labor strike at the saw mill or news of the 1929 stock market crash.
ProvenanceW.H. Stark [1851-1936] and Miriam Lutcher Stark [Mrs. W.H. Stark, 1859-1936] [1][2]; by inheritance to their son H.J. Lutcher Stark [1887-1965]; by inheritance to his wife Nelda C. Stark [1909-1999]; bequeathed December 13, 1999 to the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation; accessioned to The W.H. Stark House
| 1. Visible in the historic photographs of the Stark House
| 2. See 1921 American Appraisal Company Appraisal of Furnishings of the residence of W.H. Stark, Orange, Texas. Page 38, entry 8.
On View
On view
