Here's three Waterman Model 94 stockbroker pencils. All feature a twist cap clutch mechanism (think releasable grippers). These hold the lead in place. Positioning the pencil downward and twisting the cap loosens the grippers allowing the lead to fall down and out (by gravity). Twisting the cap the opposite way tightens the lead for writing. Reversing this procedure drops the lead back into the body and another quick twist locks up the lead for the night. The top pencil body shown here is black hard rubber and features Waterman's early 'Globe' shirt clip. The bottom two pieces are celluloid bodied with a later company clip. All three feature silver trim. Circa 1930 - 1938 All are just slightly over five inches in length.

 The Tonnel Jewel Company of Paris, France created this fleur-de-lis design mechanical pencil. Material is sterling silver. Circa 1880 - 1895. The piece extends and retracts for use and storage. Dimensions are 2 3/4 inches closed, 4 1/4 inches extended and 3/4 inches across.   

 I'm showing today a nicely made black hard rubber mechanical pencil. Possibly made by the Day Company. Circa 1850 - 1860. What I found irresistible is that the pencil was dug out of the ground by a bottle collector. It was found in an 1875-1885 trash pit - while searching for his particular treasure. If this piece were free of cracks, dents, significant scratches, personalization and was in working condition it'd fit right in to my collection. As it is - with a bit of a roughed surface, scratches and frozen mechanism - it's a great personal find. Call it an artifact. 😀

 Today for your listening pleasure, I'd like to show a pin driven slider mechanical pencil posing as a rifle with agate stock. The barrel is engine turned silver. The piece features no maker markings. It was likely made in England or France. Circa 1880 - 1895.

   I'm showing today a Sampson Mordan stockbrokers pencil. Circa 1933. The barrel is a faceted deep blue. Ends are engine turned silver.

Today I'm showing two metal figural mechanical pencils represented as croquet mallets. The top piece is by Sampson Mordan of England. The lower unit is an unmarked no name. It was also likely produced in England. Both are circa 1880'ish. The Mordan tip is deployed by a front twist mechanism to propel and repel. The no name deploys via a channel attached collar - pushing the tip unit in and out for use.

  A Victorian combination cedar holder and stamp roll dispenser is a bit uncommon.This piece is hallmarked A.M Co and also marked Sterling Silver. My books were no help in identifying the company name via the printed hallmark. It was likely produced in America or England during the last half of the 19th century. Stamp roll dispensers were not uncommon to the era. Single purpose cedar holders were common. After installing a roll of stamps, the cap on this one turns to push the stamps out of the body slot (even works in reverse). Cedar holders feature a held wooden pencil that is driven in and out to the writing position by an attached exterior push / pull collar. The installed shown stamps are not correct to the period (issued much later). The combo length is 4 1/4 inches.