In the Nineteenth Century (and much of the Twentieth Century), notes, orders and receipts were all on paper—usually hand-written. Shops, offices and government agencies needed a place to store small scraps of paper for proper filing at a later time. Workers used "note spikes" to hold such pieces of paper—usually on a desk, sometimes mounted to the wall.
The cast iron note holder, shown above, was made in the last quarter of the Nineteenth Century (it is patented 5 November 1872). The Aesthetic Movement backing is made to attach to the wall with a screw or it can hang from a nail.
Click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome piece.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
We also can be found in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248