A stunning vintage gold-plated Napier "Basketweave Billfold". This piece is simply stunning. NOS (new old stock) that still has the Napier authenticity card with the items name "Basketweave Billfold" along with a tagline of "a convenient container for paper money....". This thin metal billfold is solid metal (gold-plated) and has a "spring" hinge to keep it shut when not in use. Truly a magical piece.
A quick bit of history on Napier: The Napier Company was named after its president, James H. Napier, who led the company from 1920 to 1960. But the company's history can be tracked back to 1875 when it was founded as Whitney and Rice in Attleboro, Mass., manufacturing silver products. The firm changed hands and name in 1882 and became Carpenter and Bliss and shortly thereafter, E.A. Bliss and Co., Inc. After rapid expansion in the late 1880s the company moved to Meriden, CT in 1890. After WWI, the firm shifted emphasis from silver products to production of modern jewelry. James Napier became president in 1920 and the company adopted the name Napier - Bliss Co. In 1922, the name was changed to Napier Company. Like many jewelry companies Napier got into lines of art objects and other utilitarian objects like cocktail shakers and jiggers. In the early to mid 1930s they started producing several cocktail shakers (most notably the "Dial a Drink shaker" and the Rooster motif shaker) other pieces of barware including bar tools and coin banks and various cases (i.e. billfolds, pill boxes).
Hallmarks: "Napier" can be found on one of the interior arm along with the original authenticity paperwork, the "gold-plated" sticker and the original jewelry store $8.95 price tag.
Condition: Pristine. It appears to be NOS (new old stock that was never used). The basketweave texture is stunning. The gold is very gold and vibrant. The pictures don't do it justice and we'll likely re-shoot it. Truly a gorgeous wallet/case.
Measurements: Approx 3 3/4" x 3"
We also have a silver Napier cigarette case (that's lined with cork on the interior) and a gold Napier cigarette case and a silver coin holder. Please see other listings! Cheers!
**On shipping: We take our packaging very seriously and carefully wrap all pieces to ensure safe delivery.
****Important to note pre-purchase: Buyers, please examine all photos carefully as we cannot accept returns due to the fragile nature (the possibility of breakage or damage when being shipped back) of our vintage/antique pieces. Our items are true vintage pieces that might have manufacturers flaws, flaws from age, or imperfections in general from being vintage. We try to explain the condition/description in an accurate and thorough manner but we ask that you please examine all photos carefully and ask all questions before purchasing an item as we are unable to accept returns due to the risk of breakage/damage.
A quick bit of history on Napier: The Napier Company was named after its president, James H. Napier, who led the company from 1920 to 1960. But the company's history can be tracked back to 1875 when it was founded as Whitney and Rice in Attleboro, Mass., manufacturing silver products. The firm changed hands and name in 1882 and became Carpenter and Bliss and shortly thereafter, E.A. Bliss and Co., Inc. After rapid expansion in the late 1880s the company moved to Meriden, CT in 1890. After WWI, the firm shifted emphasis from silver products to production of modern jewelry. James Napier became president in 1920 and the company adopted the name Napier - Bliss Co. In 1922, the name was changed to Napier Company. Like many jewelry companies Napier got into lines of art objects and other utilitarian objects like cocktail shakers and jiggers. In the early to mid 1930s they started producing several cocktail shakers (most notably the "Dial a Drink shaker" and the Rooster motif shaker) other pieces of barware including bar tools and coin banks and various cases (i.e. billfolds, pill boxes).
Hallmarks: "Napier" can be found on one of the interior arm along with the original authenticity paperwork, the "gold-plated" sticker and the original jewelry store $8.95 price tag.
Condition: Pristine. It appears to be NOS (new old stock that was never used). The basketweave texture is stunning. The gold is very gold and vibrant. The pictures don't do it justice and we'll likely re-shoot it. Truly a gorgeous wallet/case.
Measurements: Approx 3 3/4" x 3"
We also have a silver Napier cigarette case (that's lined with cork on the interior) and a gold Napier cigarette case and a silver coin holder. Please see other listings! Cheers!
**On shipping: We take our packaging very seriously and carefully wrap all pieces to ensure safe delivery.
****Important to note pre-purchase: Buyers, please examine all photos carefully as we cannot accept returns due to the fragile nature (the possibility of breakage or damage when being shipped back) of our vintage/antique pieces. Our items are true vintage pieces that might have manufacturers flaws, flaws from age, or imperfections in general from being vintage. We try to explain the condition/description in an accurate and thorough manner but we ask that you please examine all photos carefully and ask all questions before purchasing an item as we are unable to accept returns due to the risk of breakage/damage.