Sterling Silver-Handled Magnifying Glass by James Deakin & Sons, c. 1909 | Antique English Desk Magnifier

For the man of leisure … a charming English magnifying glass by James Deakin & Sons of Sheffield, with a sterling silver handle hallmarked for 1909. The 3-3/4-inch handle is decorated with long parallel lines framing a repeating scrolling motif, typical of the Edwardian movement towards cleaner, more controlled decoration.  In excellent antique condition, its compact size and 2-3/8-inch glass make it a practical and handsome addition to a gentleman’s desk or favorite side table.

James Deakin founded his Sheffield firm in 1866, and by 1900 the company had grown into a substantial manufacturer employing several hundred workers at Sidney Works on Matilda Street. At their height, James Deakin & Sons produced sterling silver, electroplate, Britannia metal, cutlery, and a wide range of desk and table wares, making our magnifier a particularly good example of the small silver-mounted objects on which the firm built its reputation.

Dimensions: 3-3/4” (Handle) x 2-1/2” x 5/16” (Glass); total length 6-1/4”
Weight: 2.5 oz.

Condition notes: Excellent vintage condition overall. Lens is clear and bright with no scratches, cracks or chips. Steel rim and collar show light surface marks from gentle use. Hallmarked sterling silver handle is clean and secure, made as a silver shell over a fixed core (a common construction for interwar desk pieces), showing very light surface wear consistent with age but no dents, splits, lifting, or compression. Hallmarks on one side read: CHB, Sheffield town mark, lion passant, and date letter “P”; the other side bears the lion passant and same date letter.  All components fit tightly with no looseness or movement.  Piece has been lightly cleaned and polished.  Other items in photos not included.

Unless noted, all items are hand-wrapped and gift-boxed. We offer flat rate shipping via USPS Ground Advantage for $10, or USPS Priority Mail for $15. Orders over $100 ship free via USPS Priority Mail — any shipping charges for orders over $100 will be refunded after checkout. We pack with safety and care using recycled and recyclable materials whenever possible.

Sorry, no returns or cancellations.  Please view all photos for more detail and feel free to contact the shop with any questions prior to purchase.