Carved Wood Alligator Civil War Souvenir Lookout Mountain Tennessee Souvenir Letter Opener

This is an early hand carved alligator letter open also called a paper knife. These were sold in Tennessee at Lookout Mountain as a souvenir shortly after the Civil War ended. It's carved of what may be Hickory, a wood common to that area. The carving is very nice and its been artfully burned to add contrast to the alligators skin. The stanhope image is a single photo of the famous incline at Lookout Mountain. The condition is very nice and the stanhope is clear and easy to see. Lookout Mountain draws many tourists yet today and this item is an exciting piece of Americana & U.S. history.