Hello, everybody!
First: I do not have any questions concerning my item - I just wanted to share its history with you!
I am the happy owner of a paper-knife (silver and ivory). Please, see the pictures. The marks are: L.G. / 830S / a little boat / V5.
A well known silversmith here in Norway told me, this must be made in a foreign country and imported to Norway, but the marks (except the 830S) were unknown to him. I then contacted an auction-firm in Denmark (Bruun-Rasmussen) and they could tell me, that my knife was made in Finland, Helsinki in 1926, and the name hidden behind L.G. was L. Gunnari.
Because I have a friend in Helsinki, I wrote him and asked if he could help me with the maker's first name. Then I learned that the full name was Leo Gunnari.
To-day I found his baptism: He was born in Norway, Varanger (almost as far north-west as possible in Norway) on March 17, 1878, as the son of Thomas and Elsa Gunnari. He left Norway some time after his confirmation, and settled at last down in Helsinki, where he worked as a silver-smith and watch-maker. He died in Finland on Nov. 7, 1929.
According to all this, my paper-knife has been even more precious to me, it is amazing to know the history behind, and even the history of the maker! May be this story might be useful for others, collecting finnish silver?
Regards Elsebe
