Dessert knife, Midland Railway - Midland Cars

Dessert knife, silver plated handle, stainless steel blade, by Mappin & Webb, Midland Railway, fluted handle, marked Midland Cars.

Before convenient packaging was invented, station refreshment rooms, hotels and dining cars served food and drink in silverware and fine china. All sets needed to match and could not be used if chipped or incomplete. Cups, cutlery and crockery were embellished with the company name to help prevent losses and theft.