T-Shirt Sale for a Good Cause
T-Shirt Sale for a Good Cause
“The Village of Knives” T-Shirts to Raise Funds for Little Valley, NY
LITTLE VALLEY - Long known as the epicenter of early American knife-making, Little Valley is celebrating its history while also raising needed funds for the town library, beautification committee, and other long-term projects. High-quality t-shirts made in Little Valley by Schubert Enterprises are now on sale at the Memorial Library of Little Valley for $25, with all profits going to needy local groups.
“This is a wonderful local effort to highlight our history while bringing people into our library,” said Memorial Library of Little Valley Director Linda McCubbin. “Little Valley’s knife-making history is unparalleled, and our library offers rare items from our 200-year history, as well as many programs, top-rate collections, and a safe place for kids to learn.”
The fundraising campaign and t-shirts are the brainchild of Little Valley alumnus and author Brad Lockwood, who has documented his hometown’s history. “‘The Village of Knives’ was the calling-card for Little Valley a century ago, when more cutlery companies operated here than anywhere in the world. We wanted to compile and list all of those companies, jobbers and masters included, for posterity. On the back of the t-shirt you will find some interesting facts, like W.R. Case & Son appearing without the ’s’ in Sons, which was only added when the company moved to Bradford, Pennsylvania. Union Cutlery/Ka-Bar are also listed, because they originated by the Brown brothers in a small home on Erie Street, Little Valley.”
From W.R. Case & Sons to Cattaraugus Cutlery, Kinfolks and independent masters like Max Krug, Little Valley’s history is at last being acknowledged. Historic status and official markers were recently earned and placed for Case Brothers Cutlery, as well as the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds and Civil War Memorial, by the Pomeroy Foundation. More markers and annual events are also in the works, as knife collectors around the world want to visit the town where their favorite items were handcrafted.
“It’s truly an honor to be part of the Case family and such amazing American history,” offered John Burrell, who is a fourth-generation Case knife-maker, as well as Ellicottville Village Mayor. John runs “TopFlight Early American Cutlery” which issues limited edition, custom-made knives to honor his family. “We all started in Little Valley, so keeping these famous names alive is everything.”
The Village of Knives t-shirts are now on sale at the Memorial Library of Little Valley for $25 each. Sizes XXL and above cost a little bit more and, due to demand from knife collectors around the world, shipping may be arranged.