Product Details
ALBERT BARKER LTD.
A STERLING SILVER 1898 'EXPANDING FAN PATENT' EIGHT PEG PATHFINDER (PLACEFINDER),
London hallmarked for 1905 and with Albert Barker makers mark, the outer case with clasp opening, the interior retaining traces of gilt finish and engraved 'BARKER'S PATENT PATHFINDER NO. 3071' and 'ALBERT BARKER LTD. 5, NEW BOND ST. LONDON', incorporating Albert Barker expanding fan patent 'consisting of two lids or covers F pivoted together along one edge and having fan-like leaves A inserted in an inner part sheath or socket B and provided with stops to limit their expansion. The sheaths or sockets B may be of any suitable form or section, according to the character, shape, or section of the articles they are to receive', patent no. 22108 of 20th October 1898, use number 3071, each numbered white metal peg with a coronet and patent details
Provenance: Albert Barker specialised in designs for optimising space and portability in a number of areas, principally in the design of travel furniture. He registered twelve patents between 1894 and 1918 including folding or 'tuck-away' tables, hinged portmanteaus, folding operatic glasses, a game scoring apparatus of watchlike form and others for improvements to cabinets and travelling dressing bags. This patent, No. 22108 was registered under 'Improvements in Expanding Fan like Devices applicable to Ladies' Fans, Dressing and other Bags and Cases, Photographic and other Albums and Stands, Advertizing and other Stands, and Furniture and other Structures'. In the patent drawings he illustrates an example of an umbrella/walking stick stand, a cigar case and what looks to be the pathfinder 'as applied to boxes for drawing lots for "places" in game shooting'
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Estimate £1,500-2,000