SHOE LADY TOO # 448 very rare antique Sorrento inlaid wood shoe letter opener

Description

DESCRIPTION
This is a extremely rare 8" x 1.75" wide x .75" tall shoe shaped wood letter opener Circa 1880's. Made in Sorrento Italy, a village in Campania in southern Italy also known as the "Pearl of the Gulf of Naples". These craftsmen were known for their excellent woodwork and their remarkable use of veneers.  Made of olive wood and natural woods it has a green wood backround on top with an inlaid wood figure of a ballet dancer posed on the tip of an old shoe.  Under is a victorian type design typical of this era, above is a section of Tunbridge styled Marquetry work (little mosaic tiled squares) the colors remain bright and vivid. All of these tiny pieces were meticulously placed by hand making this piece a true work of art.
BACKSTORY
I have been collecting shoes since I received my first L.E. Smith green
iridescent
glass slipper from my grandmother back in 1974.  I have three journals full of over 600 shoes, slippers, boots, and roller skates of all makes and models-each numbered with a detailed description, pictures, references, any known history, and what the approximate value of the piece was either at the time of purchase or according to reference books or antique dealer suggestions.  I will include the original entry page with your purchase ( or a copy of the page for shoes that are numbered 2-254 because the first journal I listed them front and back on one page) .  All of the auctions will start as either 9.99, 14.99, or 19.99, regardless of what I paid for them, or how much more they are worth ,and will run for one week with no reserve. Later on I may list a few of the more rare items as a buy it now price as well. If I was fortunate enough to collect a pair of matching left and right shoes I will auction those together so you don't have to go through the years of searching that I did! If there are any flaws I will list them, but make sure you zoom in on the pictures anyways because they are part of the description just in case I inadvertently miss something.  I am selling my lifelong collection because well, #1 with so many shoes there isn't enough room in my house to display them all so the majority of them have been in totes for six years now, and #2 financially its the right time to sell them.  Thank you and good luck!!
PAYMENT
I only accept PayPal. Payment is due within 48 hours of completed auction. IF PAYMENT IS NOT MADE WITHIN 2 DAYS EBay automatically takes over the listing and an unpaid item case will be opened
SHIPPING
Pretty much as soon as a bid is made I get the item ready for shipment so as soon as payment posts I print the label and ship out the next morning.  So the sooner you pay the faster it ships! Shipping will occur within 1
business
day of cleared payment via USPS with tracking for your piece of mind and mine if shipped priority. insurance is now included for free on all priority shipped items.
TERMS OF SALE
All sales are final.
No returns or refunds will be accepted.
I sell items to make money to pay bills so once you pay me the money is pretty much gone, so I make sure I take good pictures and ship extra carefully.  I've never had a valid complaint so rest assured.
Everything is sold as is however I am an honest seller and describe my items pretty well-please view pictures carefully for they are part of the description.
ABOUT US
I am an individual seller, not a store! My husband recently had a stroke and can no longer work therefore I need to sell off my collections to make ends meet.
Check my feedback and bid with confidence! I will leave positive feedback
after
you have left it for me to conclude our transaction.
CONTACT US
Please message me with any questions.