The Lilly Imperial Folder Pocket Knife

Vintage Imperial “Lilly” Two-Blade Folding Pocket Knife – A Classic Promotional Collectible

A Small Pocket Knife with an Interesting History

Vintage pocket knives have long been popular among collectors, especially examples produced by well-known American cutlery manufacturers. One interesting example is this Imperial two-blade folding pocket knife featuring the distinctive “Lilly” script on its handle.

With its slim profile, metal-finish handle, and traditional folding blades, this knife represents the type of practical everyday accessory that companies often distributed as promotional gifts.

Imperial Knife Company – An American Cutlery Tradition

The Imperial Knife Company was established in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1916 by brothers Felix and Michael Mirando.

Imperial became widely recognized for manufacturing affordable, functional pocket knives for everyday use. Its products included traditional folding knives, camping knives, utility knives, and promotional cutlery.

Over the decades, Imperial became closely associated with other important American cutlery names, including Schrade and Ulster. The original Imperial Schrade company eventually closed in 2004.

Today, older Imperial knives continue to attract collectors interested in American manufacturing history and traditional pocket cutlery.

Features of the Lilly Imperial Pocket Knife

The knife pictured has several noteworthy characteristics:

• Manufacturer marking: Imperial Stainless
• Handle: Slim, silver-tone metal finish
• Handle inscription: “Lilly” in decorative script lettering
• Blade configuration: Two folding blades, one at each end
• Additional feature: Small metal keyring or attachment loop
• Design: Compact, traditional pocketknife configuration

The knife shows signs of age and previous handling, including light surface marks and discoloration visible on the blades and handle.

Its compact design would have made it convenient for carrying in a pocket, attaching to a keychain, or keeping in a desk drawer.

What Does the “Lilly” Marking Represent?

One of the most interesting features is the engraved-style “Lilly” name on the handle.

The inscription may be associated with Eli Lilly and Company, the longstanding American pharmaceutical company headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Companies frequently used pocket knives as advertising premiums, employee gifts, and promotional giveaways throughout the twentieth century.

Although the Lilly inscription suggests a possible corporate promotional connection, additional documentation or comparison with confirmed examples would be needed to establish its exact origin.

Dating This Vintage Pocket Knife

Determining the precise age of an Imperial pocket knife generally requires examining the manufacturer’s markings near the base of the blades.

Imperial used several variations of its name and trademark during its manufacturing history.

The visible Imperial Stainless marking and traditional design make this an interesting candidate for further research, but the photograph alone does not establish a specific manufacturing decade.

A closer examination of all blade markings, including any country-of-origin information, could help narrow down the production period.

Collectibility and Appeal

Vintage promotional knives represent an interesting crossover between two collecting fields: traditional pocket knives and advertising memorabilia.

Collectors may appreciate examples such as this for several reasons:

• The historical connection to Imperial cutlery
• The unusual Lilly identification
• The attractive, compact two-blade design
• The possibility of a pharmaceutical-industry promotional connection
• The growing interest in vintage everyday objects and American advertising history

Condition, blade wear, originality, manufacturer markings, and the identity of the advertising sponsor can all influence collectibility and resale value.

Preserving a Vintage Imperial Knife

Collectors generally prefer vintage knives that retain their original finish and markings.

Aggressive polishing or cleaning may remove evidence of age and reduce collector interest. Gentle surface cleaning, careful handling, and dry storage are usually preferable.

Any maintenance should preserve the original handle inscription and blade markings.

Final Thoughts

This Lilly-marked Imperial folding pocket knife is a reminder of an era when small, useful objects served both practical and promotional purposes.

While further research is needed to confirm its exact age and the origin of the Lilly inscription, its traditional construction and association with the Imperial name make it an appealing piece of vintage pocketknife and advertising memorabilia.

For collectors of Imperial knives, vintage promotional items, and twentieth-century American collectibles, small discoveries like this can have a history far larger than their size.

Based on recent eBay sales of comparable Imperial pocket knives, I would estimate this Lilly Imperial two-blade folding pocket knife at approximately $12–$25 in its present condition.

I found these comparable sales:

These were actual reported eBay sales from July–August 2026.

Additional information

• Manufacturer: Imperial Knife Company

• Blade marking: Imperial Stainless, with the Imperial crown-style logo

• Style: Two-blade folding pocket knife with a keyring attachment

• Handle: Silver-tone metal with the name “Lilly” in script

• Condition: Used, with visible spotting on both blades and light scratches on the handle

• Possible origin: Promotional or advertising pocket knife, potentially associated with Eli Lilly and Company

The Lilly name is especially interesting. If this was made for Eli Lilly employees or distributed as an advertising gift, it could appeal to both pocketknife collectors and pharmaceutical memorabilia collectors. However, that association hasn’t been conclusively established.

Updated estimated value

Collector Street – Exploring the history, identification, and value of vintage collectibles, antiques, and everyday treasures.

Researched source: ChatGPT, edited by Timothy Frisch