Wessex Museums

Isambard Kingdom Brunel's paper knife

A personal possession of an engineering genius

From: STEAM, Museum of the Great Western Railway

An ivory and ebony paper knife that once belonged to the GWR’s Chief Engineer. Dating from around the 1830s, the silver collar features Brunel’s initials.

Transforming the Great Western Railway

Isambard Kingdom Brunel was appointed Chief Engineer for the new Great Western Railway in 1833. He surveyed the entire route of the original line from Paddington to Bristol and then proceeded to design many of the separate lines that connected to, and were eventually acquired by, the main GWR company. 

He also designed stations, locomotives, and hotels, creating an integrated railway system. The company’s locomotive works were located north of the small town of Swindon in Wiltshire, transforming the prospects of the area. 

The portrait by J.C. Horsley depicts Brunel at his desk, where a paper knife can be faintly seen near his sleeve.
The portrait by J.C. Horsley depicts Brunel at his desk, where a paper knife can be faintly seen near his sleeve.
Details of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's initials are engraved into the silver collar - Brunel Paperknife No.2 & STEAM, Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon Borough Council.
Details of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's initials are engraved into the silver collar - Brunel Paperknife No.2 & STEAM, Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon Borough Council.

Curator’s Insights

 
The paperknife provides a personal glimpse into the frenetic life of a highly energetic man. With so many tasks going on at once, it’s reasonable to expect that Brunel’s daily correspondence was extensive, and the paper knife was always at his side.

STEAM is very grateful to the Friends of Swindon Railway Museum, who have made it possible for STEAM to purchase this fascinating object. In addition to the generous funding contribution from the Friends, this purchase was also made possible by visitors who have kindly donated to STEAM’s Acquisition Fund. 

 

The 46cm long Brunel paper knife is significant because of its age and its impeccable provenance, having been gifted by Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s son Henry Marc Brunel to the family whose successors STEAM acquired it. Made in the 1830s of ebony and ivory with silver decorations and used to separate and turn uncut pages of newspapers, this one object represents much that was typical of its time but with which we are no longer familiar.

The Friends of Swindon Railway Museum were delighted to help fund the cost of bringing the paper knife to STEAM, where it joined other Isambard Kingdom Brunel artefacts part-funded by the Friends, such as the drawing instrument set.” Steve Gregory, secretary for the Friends of Swindon Railway Museum.


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