a- L: 12.7cm W: 3.5cm H: 3.7cm
b- L: 21.5cm W: 13.4cm
c- L: 9.1cm W: 2.7cm H: 2.4cm
d- L: 4.0cm W: 0.8cm H: 0.4cm
e- L: 4.0cm W: 0.9cm H: 0.3cm
f- L: 4.1cm W: 0.8cm H: 0.4cm
g- L: 3.9cm W: 1.1cm H: 0.4cm
h- L: 4.0cm W: 1.0cm H: 0.6cm
i- L: 5.0cm W: 1.3cm H: 0.4cm
A set of linoleum cutters along with the original box and instructional leaflet.
a- The original box. It is made of cardboard with a glossy maroon paper coating. The bottom holds the contents and slides out of the lid. A beige label on the top reads "LINO CUTTERS/WITH HOLDER"; "SET OF 5"; "NO 454"; "WILLIAM MITCHELL"; "MADE IN ENGLAND"; "BIRMINGHAM", with illustrations of cutting bits.
b- An instruction leaflet composed of one page. The title reads "LINO-CUTTING IN BRIEF". There are diagrams and an example of a linocut print. The reverse side has instructions for printing using the linocut. The bottom reads "William Mitchell's / LINO-CUTTERS are made only by:/ BRITISH PENS, LIMITED / "PEDIGREE WORKS, BEARWOOD ROAD / BIRMINGHAM".
c- A wooden holder for the cutters. It is made of a light hardwood and is shaped like a cylinder and widens into a bulb at the top. The bottom is flat, with a carved circle into which the cutters would be inserted. There are 3-4 printed words on it that are now illegible.
d- A metal linoleum cutter. One end is rounded concavely to fit into the handle. The piece widens then narrows to a narrow "v" shape. The top edge tapers to a point. Stamps on the cutter read "1"; "BRIT. PAT. / 490152"; "Wm MITCHELL / LINO / CUTTER / ENGLAND".
e- A metal linoleum cutter. One end is rounded concavely to fit into the handle. The piece widens around the centre then tapers and extends in a fluted shape. The top edge is rounded convexly. Stamps on the cutter read: "3"; "BRIT. PAT. / 490152"; "Wm MITCHELL / LINO / CUTTER / ENGLAND".
f- A metal linoleum cutter. One end is rounded concavely to fit into the handle. The piece widens around the centre then tapers and extends in a fluted shape. The top edge is rounded convexly. It is wider than (e). Inscriptions on the stamp read: "4"; "BRIT. PAT. / 490152"; "Wm MITCHELL / LINO / CUTTER / ENGLAND".
g- A metal linoleum cutter. One end is rounded concavely to fit into the handle. The piece widens around the centre then flattens and bends to create a straight edge facing the right. Inscriptions on the cutter read: "5"; "BRIT. PAT. / 490152"; "Wm MITCHELL / LINO / CUTTER / ENGLAND".
h- A metal linoleum cutter. One end is rounded concavely to fit into the handle. The piece widens then narrows to a narrow "v" shape. The top edge tapers to a point. The cutter is deeper than (d). Stamps on the cutter read "9"; "BRIT. PAT. / 490152"; "Wm MITCHELL / LINO / CUTTER / ENGLAND".
i- A metal linoleum extractor. It consists of a small sheet of metal folded over itself, leaving a ring at one end. The other end extends out and down, to form a small spur for digging out material. Stamps read: "Wm MITCHELLS / LINO EXTRACTOR / REGd No 7(9)6407 / ENGLAND"
These versatile tools are used to make negative-relief linoleum prints. Artists use the cutters to carve out material from a linoleum block. Prints can be artistic or semiotic. The resulting linoleum carving will produce a mirror-image print. While these cutters are designed to work with linoleum, they can also be used for clay, ceramics or woodworking.
