W.F. Booker

[kootenay joe]

Here is a nicely made 3 1/2" ivory 4 blade senator. All blades are marked on the tang "W F Booker".
LG4 shows a "Booker, Henry" manufacturer c1893. It is possible that "Henry" is a mistake and the Booker referred to is W F.
I have some information from "Grace's Guide British Industrial History" concerning Joseph Rodgers & Co., cutlers of 33 Charles Street, Sheffield.
Note this is a different cutlery manufacturer than Joseph Rodgers & Sons of No. 6 Norfolk St. Sheffield.
Jos. Rodgers & Co was founded in 1876. In 1896 the business was jointly owned by Joseph Rodgers and Walter Frank Booker. This partnership was dissolved in 1897 with sole ownership going to Joseph Rodgers.
Is this knife a 'one off' made by Jos Rodgers & Co. for Mr. Booker ? Or are there other knives branded "W.F. Booker" perhaps made by a short lived company founded by Mr. Booker. This later could be the case if the LG4 "Henry" Booker is actually W.F. Booker.
If you know of W.F. Booker knives please speak up.
kj

[tongueriver]

Whatever the provenance, that Senator is one of the best!

[knife7knut]

Roland:That is one beautiful little knife and very reminiscent of Rodgers knives of that period.I think your assessment of the knife is pretty spot on.

[kootenay joe]

Just giving this a BUMP up in the hopes that someone might post that they have seen other W.F. Booker branded knives. Or perhaps those with much experience might post "nope never", which is also helpful.
And if this is a 'one off', how collectible is it ?
Given the info from "Grace's Guide" it most likely was made by Joseph Rodgers & Co. around 1896.
Would it be more collectible if branded "Jos. Rodgers & Co." ?
According to Levine a threshold number needs to exist to become a collectible.
kj

[danno50]

Beautiful knife, Roland! Sorry though, I have no information. There is no listing for any Booker in Tweedale (2013 edition) or any mention of W.F.Booker in the listing for Joseph Rodgers and Co.

[LongBlade]

No info KJ... I’m not convinced it is a Rodgers either based on a pattern made by many...