This antique mother-of-pearl pocketknife, produced by A. Kastor & Co. of Solingen, Germany, incorporates a finely preserved Stanhope micro-photograph depicting Russell E. Gardner (1869–1945), a major American industrialist, founder of the Gardner Motor Company, and early investor in the Dodge Brothers automobile enterprise. Personalized Stanhope knives are uncommon, and examples tied to historically documented figures are exceptionally scarce. This pocketknife was likely meant as a sort of "calling card" or memento for a favored client as the hand written caption below the image states "truly yours, Russell E. Gardner (signature).
