Today I'd like to show a Sampson Mordan Muscovy duck head, figural mechanical pencil. To operate, pull the ring end away from the body and watch the lead nozzle simultaneously extend out the other side. The mechanism is referred to as a 'magic pencil' Circa 1880 - 1890. The duck is 2 1/8 inches long compressed and 3 7/8 inches in the writing position.

Showing is a slider mechanism, Victorian mechanical pencil. Featured is a bear holding a ball on top of the finial. Piece also features a perpetual calendar. No engraved makers marks. Circa 1885 -1905 Length in the closed position 3 1/2 inches and when extended 4 1/4 inches.

  Two sizes of Esterbrook pencils from the early 1930's into the first half of the 1940's. The model was called the 'Dollar' pencil and fountain pen. The price was reflected in the name (probably for the pen - not the pencil).

  Sampson Mordan produced this figural mechanical pencil, represented as a hand held fan The primary material is British sterling. Circa 1880 - 1890. Dimensional lengths are 2 1/8 inches closed and 3 1/2 inches extended Sorry, the device is not designed to 'fan out'.  

  Showing today are a pair of sterling, figural mechanical pencils produced in England. Both circa 1880 - 1890. The smaller sporting racket was produced by Sampson Mordan. It features a button driven slider mechanism which activates the nozzle/lead end. Length is 2 1/4 inches closed and 2 5/8 inches extended. The larger Thornhill racket uses a pull, single stage telescopic device to produce the working writing nozzle. Length on this one is 4 1/2 inches closed and 5 1/4 extended.

  I'm showing today two mechanical pencils. Both made in America. The top Eberhard Faber was produced in the late 1940's - very early '50's. 4 15/16 inches long. The bottom Autopoint was made during the mid-1930's. The Autopoint featured an exposed eraser. 4 1/8 inches long. Dig that crazy dollar amount on the Faber.       

  American figural pencils. Circa 1880 - 1890. Photos courtesy of Jon Veley.