Vintage solid brass letter opener with a three decker sail ship. There are no maker's marks on the piece.

The letter opener is 8.1/2" [21.6cm] long; the handle is 3" x 2" [7.6cm x 5.1cm]; some patina, signs of use and wear including marks and scratches to the brass, very good condition.

A three-decker was a sailing warship which carried her principal carriage-mounted guns on three fully armed decks. Three-deckers were usually "ships of the line", i.e. of sufficient strength to participate in the line of battle, and in the rating system of the Royal Navy were generally classed as first or second rates, although from the mid-1690s until the 1750s the larger of the third rates were also three-deckers. Three-deckers also served in the naval forces of other European states, notably those of France, Russia and Spain.

Three-deckers held special respect among the local community and the troops who farewelled these ships when they left the harbor. "It is customary at all times for many persons to congregate on the platform when a three-decker leaves the harbour, for such an occurrence is somewhat rare."

Note:
Country restrictions may apply - the lesser expansive Priority or 1st Class shipping may not be available to all countries.

US: Priority (c.2-4 days) --------- $10.50
Canada: 1st Class (c.2-6 weeks) -- $23.50
World: 1st Class (c.2-8 weeks) --- $32.50