Here are a couple of shots of my mother's letter opener that I took during my lunch break; the quality is not stellar but hopefully you will overlook my lack of skills as a photographer:
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The handle is made out of sterling silver. The blade appears to be stainless steel and is unmarked. One side of the handle is marked "Sterling Denmark" and the other side is marked "Georg Jensen & Wendel A/S." (I think it says "&" anyway - can't really make it out so it might be a hallmark instead of an ampersand.) The pattern is their Cactus pattern. I do not know the exact date when it was made, but from what I have read, they didn't start using sterling silver exclusively until after 1933; I think this letter opener may be from the 1940's.
The "Wendel" on the handle is partially worn off - my mother used this almost daily for probably at least 50 years; she lived during the time when letter writing was alive and well and the main source of communication. I wonder how many of my letters she opened with it, to say nothing of the many other letters she opened and read. I regret not having written to her more often because I know how she enjoyed receiving and reading letters from friends and family. The last year or so of her life our communication was primarily via telephone and, to be honest, I have written very few letters since she died.
Holy
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