2019/18

This corn knife is part of a selection of items donated to the Museum by the Landscape Institute in relation to Geoffrey Jellicoe. This item comes from one of four boxes, donated on behalf of the Landscape Institute. This box contained a selection of items used by Jellicoe in his work as a landscape architect and collected by former Landscape Institute Librarian, S. Harvey. The blade folds in to the bone handle, which is engraved with a circular emblem, topped with a crown. Inside the circle is stamped 'CORN KNIFE'. There are three silver rivets on the front and reverse of the handle. The blade itself is silver and stamped with 'HAND FORGED ENGLAND' on one side, and 'WEISS & SON 287 OXFORD ST' on the other. This stamp likely refers to London-based cutler, John Weiss & Son, established in the 18th century, and specialising in producing ophthalmic instruments. Corn knives of this style were common during the Victorian period, however Weiss & Son were not known to produce instruments of this style - It is likely that the blade in this knife is a replacement for the original.

1 Corn knife: Metal, bone; Good condition

Email, N. Fulford to Ollie Douglas, 13 August 2014 - 'Hi Ollie, // The three boxes and those items on top include items from: // The Geoffrey Jellicoe collection AR JEL - this includes the large set slide in bubble wrap and a painting of Jellicoe by Michael Tree which I'll add to the collection before I go. // The Michael Brown collection AR BRO (not on Adlib yet) // Hal Moggridge is a past President of the LI and is still working with his practice Colvin & Moggridge. He is also a Friend of the LI archive and recently deposited the Brenda Colvin archive. // The glass coaster with Latin writing has not been identified by anyone yet for its significance/relevance. // Annabel Downs, former Archivist for the LI and a landscape architect herself has checked through all this material and it's her notes on the outside with the boxes - her email address if you'd like to get in touch is [...]. // Sheila Harvey is the former Librarian for the LI and was involved in obtaining some or all of this material. She has not had a look at these items but would be happy to help (I've checked about the coaster) with provenance etc. [...]', Miscellaneous note - 'Geoffrey Jellicoe office material drawing equipment etc. // 1 // Sheila Harvey LI Librarian arranged collection of selection of GAJellicoe's books, all drawings stored in plan chest, drawing board + Tee square, + portrait of GAJ by Michael Tree, at the time when GAJ left Highpoint to go to nursing home in Devon. // In plan chest: as well as drawings, some photos, slides etc. In top drawer was selection of other stuff - specs, pens, drawing pins, Galveston plaque + key etc etc. // The used drawing pins afix tracing paper to drawing board - all his drawings have multiple holes, + when he coloured up drawings on drawing board you can see all the holes of the board in 'patchy' [wrong word - impressioning holes] colouring. // N.B. The drawing board + Tee square were given to GAJ by his one time 'partner' Russell Page. (they were not legal/business partners but worked together on a number of projects). // [page break] 2 // GAJ used ink pens, coloured pencils on his drawings, but Never* [underlined] used rulers or compasses etc. to draw with. // Never* Never after c1960s when he closed his practicedown + operated on his own; before this time he would do quick sketches for schemes which others in his practice would draw up.'

Greater London [region]

Metal, Bone, Metal