Description
4 7/8″ Overall | marked A G Shaver patented | carved bone handle has a few minor cracks |
Here is some info I found on them
Exhibited in 1850 and 1860. (Sixth and Ninth Exhibitions of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association | Boston | 1850 | 1860 | listed without an illustration). Advertised 1860 and 1861 in Harper’s Weekly and elsewhere without an illustration
According to an 1860 advertisement | “The blade is curved upwards | with sharp oval edge for erasing blots | marks | &c. | from paper. Convexed on the lower side | to give a fine polish and finish to the erased parts. The curve between the blade and the shank has a keen edge for cutting away the wood of the pencil | and the small serrated groove in the blade gives a neatly finished point to the lead. Some three or four different sizes and styles are manufactured | some of them with ornamental handles of ivory and mother-of-pearl.” (Vanity Fair | Oct. 20 | 1860)
A burnisher was used to lay down the fibers raised by the erasing blade.
