Burnell and Rowe

Description

Here we have a very fine and extremely practical Edwardian Sterling Silver Double Magnifying Glass. The two different size and strength lenses, both with silver frames, fold inside the silver handle to make a compact item for storage or travel.

The magnifying glass was made in Birmingham by silversmiths Crisford & Norris and dates to 1905. Harold Crisford & William Norris established their business in 1896 at premises in Vyse Street in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. They are best known for their good quality and well designed small items for personal use, novelty baby rattles, pin cushions and stylish powder compacts. They remained in business up until around 1970.

Condition is very good, with no chips or cracks in the glass lenses, no dings or dents in the silver and just the superficial surface wear that has to be expected after over 120 years of good service. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The magnifying glass is 13.4cm / 5.3ins long when fully opened and 7.5cm / 2.9ins long when folded up. The larger lens is 5.9cm / 2.3ins in diameter and the smaller lens is 4.1cm / 1.6ins in diameter. The handle is 1.7cm / 0.67ins deep. The magnifier weighs 66.3g / 2.3oz.

The hallmarks, on the side of the handle, are nice and clear to read. They show the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the anchor assay mark for Birmingham, the date letter f for 1905 and the C & N makers' mark for Crisford & Norris. The frames of both lenses are also stamped with the lion passant and date letter, so you can be sure this is Sterling Silver throughout.

Shipping in the UK is £13.00 by Royal Mail Special Delivery, which includes cover for the value of the magnifier.
Overseas customers, please ask us about shipping costs to your country before making a purchase.