I'm showing today a silver figural seal (animal), mechanical pencil. The pencil is marked MacMichael, (a known London jeweler, silversmith). The writing tip is simultaneously deployed from the mouth of the animal when pulling the rear section away from the body. People in the hobby refer to this deployment type as 'magic pencil'. It's actually just fancy internal gearing. Circa 1880'ish. The piece is 1 7/8 inches closed and 2 3/4 inches extended.

Scripto and Merry Christmas!

   From 1924 thru 1932 Parker produced mechanical pencils in the Duofold Flattop line (1924 thru 1929) followed by the Duofold Streamline line (1929 thru 1932). I'm showing today a small group of these pencils featuring the Parker named 'Mandarin Yellow' color. The Flattop models are pictured on the left and Streamlines on the right. The pencil 4th from the left is a transitional piece designed to help bridge the gap between old (Flattop), and new (Streamline). It had a very short life. The Parker Mandarin Yellow color began production in 1927. Other colors of both models were also produced during 1924 - 1932. For a size comparison, the Senior Flattop is 5 1/2 inches long. Matching fountain pens were also produced.

  I'm showing today an unmarked figural lobster claw mechanical pencil. The material is silver. Likely English in origin.  The working end is twist activated. The pencil was produced during the 1880 - 1895 period. The length is 1 3/4 inches long closed and 2 1/4" extended. Yes - diminutive. 

  Sometime during the mid-1920s into the 1930s, Sampson Mordan of England and Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth of Czecholasvkia marketed mechanical pencils under both their names. Showing here are two examples. Both pieces feature each company's markings.

Recent mechanical pencil acquisitions. From left to right: Edward Todd, Eversharp, Omas, and Parker. Circa 1930's and 40's. The Edward Todd is much earlier.  Also, an Italian Fulgens branded pencil snuck into the Omas's in position 7th from the left.

Showing is a Sampson Mordan double-ended silver cedar holder(s). The color-coded collar sliders are blue and red. Finding proper wooden refills in those colors was probably always difficult. The outer pattern is called cable twist The piece dates to the end of the 19th century Body is 4 inches in length.