These antique page turners were used to separate the pages of newspapers that were printed without being cut. Instead of being simply utilitarian, these gorgeous tools are intricately carved. Their handles are designed to look like hands and arms — one even depicts a hand gripping the blade. These tools aren't needed much today, but I wouldn't mind cutting newspaper pages if it meant getting to use one of these beauties.
Before printing presses reliably cut and separated continuous reams of paper, pages often arrived still attached at the fold. LostFoundArtNy describes the tool as a thin, flat, rounded-edged blade that slides into the crease and runs along it, separating the pages without tearing. The three examples pictured — a primitive folk art piece, a more finely carved one, and a French piece cut from bone — come from the "Out Of Hand" collection.
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