Germany, Third Reich. A Reich’s Exhibition of Productive People Damascus Blade Letter Opener, by Gebrüder Grah

(Reichsausstellung Schaffendes Volk Brieföffner mit Damaskusklinge). A rare and unique commemorative letter opener from the 1937 Reichsausstellung Schaffendes Volk (Reic’s Exhibition of Productive People) in Düsseldorf. Measuring 255 mm in total length, it features a 170 mm-long magnetic Damascus steel blade with a sharpened tip and semi-sharpened edges. The obverse bears an acid-etched inscription of “SCHAFFENDES VOLK DÜSSELDORF 1937” in stylized script. The obverse recasso features a maker’s mark of “GEBR. GRAH, SOLINGEN”. An additional mark on the reverse ricasso reads “ECHT DAMAST HANDGESCHMIEDET”, indicating handcrafted Damascus steel construction. A ribbed silver ring covers the seam where the blade meets the handle, with the latter constructed of a single piece of carved and polished wood. Some loosening is evident to the ring, but this unique commemorative blade is in an overall extremely fine condition.