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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on April 26, 2013 at 16:59

This company?

History

The Holley Manufacturing Company of Lakeville (Salisbury), Connecticut, produced pocket cutlery and related products, from 1844 until 1946. Founded in 1844 by Alexander Hamilton Holley and George Merwin as Holley and Merwin, the Company claimed to be the oldest manufacturer of pocket cutlery in the United States. The company name was later changed to Holley & Company. In 1854, it was incorporated as the Holley Manufacturing Company, with Alexander H. Holley as president, George B. Burrall, treasurer, and William B. Rudd, secretary. William Rudd's son, Malcolm D. Rudd, succeeded him as treasurer and general manager, serving in that position until 1942. Its customers were retailers and small jobbers, mostly in New England, Pennsylvania, and upper New York State. Total annual sales of the company probably did not exceed $50,000 from 1844 to 1925, or $10,000 from 1925 to 1933. Holley Manufacturing Company's sales and production declined after 1933 and the firm was dissolved in 1946.

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Permalink Reply by Brad Rosenthal on April 26, 2013 at 17:14

Jan, that is the company.  I should have been clearer.  I believe there is a custom maker named Holly.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on April 26, 2013 at 17:16

Well that a fairly rare beast there my friend.  I will keep my eyes out for you!

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Permalink Reply by Brad Rosenthal on April 26, 2013 at 17:22

Jan you are quite correct.  Rare as hen's teeth!. I have 7-8 but after a year or more of looking that is a very small number.  I have never been stumped like that when I got seriously interested in a maker.  Bar none.  After I retired I took a few college courses, one in American History, and I did a research paper, ultimately it will be a Masters Thesis, on Holley.  Not only the knives but what a great American family in general. One day when I get the proper time I will start a thread on that here.   

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FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on April 26, 2013 at 18:16

Holly! I haven't heard about someone collecting Hollys for about 35-40 years! I knew a guy that had a bunch of them.....35-40 years ago.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on April 27, 2013 at 13:13

Hey Brad, if you ever want to test that out, you could host a Wed night Chat on Holley!  I would love to learn more

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Permalink Reply by Brad Rosenthal on April 27, 2013 at 16:17

Jan that is an interesting idea. I will consider it.  Actually, it might be an interesting antidote or epilogue for the research.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on April 27, 2013 at 17:51

Hey we will be research, I am good with that!

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Permalink Reply by Lyle Fry on June 6, 2013 at 23:30

Brad contact me about a Holley Hobo.

Lyle

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