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Sunday, March 24, 2024

Today from here is a noname flat-sided silver, gravity-operated dropper pencil Deploying the pencil section for writing, one holds the pencil vertically and pushes down on the button. The pencil section will drop out of the bottom of the case by the force of gravity to the stop/write position. The procedure is reversed for storage (gravity again). Circa later 19th - early 20th centuries. Likely made in America or England. The piece is 3 1/8 inches long in the closed position.








Friday, March 8, 2024

A few mechanical pencils for the weekend. All were produced in America except the Conway Stewart's and the Hvilson. Circa 1925 - 1955. Left to right they are: Parker, the next 5 are Conwart Stewart (England), Waterman's, Waterman's, marked Hvilsom Special (I suspect a Scandinavian Mont Blanc model), John Holland, Waterman's, and Parker.



Saturday, March 2, 2024

Victorian figural mechanical pencils were often created to resemble critters. This one thinks it's a croc or a gator. The pencil is metal-bodied with a gold finish. Circa 1880. It is unmarked, likely made in England, America, or maybe France. The writing tip is deployed for writing by pulling out the tail of the beast - simultaneously pushing the tip out for business. The procedure is reversed to close for storage. This big reptile is 2 inches long closed and 3 1/2 inches in length extended.




Tuesday, February 27, 2024

  A couple mechanical pencils from the stash today. Circa 1920 - 1945. All were produced in America excepting the German Fend. Left to write: Waterman's, Waterman's Parker, Parker, Wahl Eversharp, Eversharp, Parker, noname (possibly LeBoeuf), Fend, Sheaffer's, Waterman's and Waterman's  



Sunday, February 18, 2024

Sampson Mordan produced a large variety of silver, cedar holder pencils. All were made in England. Circa 1890 - 1910 for this one. The pencil is deployed from the body for writing via a collar slider mechanism. This one also features a removable to-use pencil sharpener (shown). Also included in the pictures are examples of two replacement refill boxes (Mordan and Faber). These refills are threaded and screwed into the body of the cedar holder. The refills came in two styles. The Mordan refill showing here is all wood, including the threads. The Faber is wood with an attached end brass thread unit.







Friday, February 9, 2024

   I'd like to show today a collapsable 19th-century novelty walking stick. Broken down it features a not very usable mechanical pencil and dip pen. The body is wood. The metal is possibly or likely brass. Assembled the cane is 29 1/4 inches long and just under 1/2 inch in diameter It was made in Germany, England, or America.




Wednesday, February 7, 2024

A few mechanical pencils for a Wednesday: Left to write: Six Eversharps, a Carter's, and an Eagle. Circa 1920s and 1930s Average size 5 1/2 inches. All were made in America.