I'm showing today an Edward Todd Company figural mechanical pencil which speaks as a torpedo. Made in the United States. Circa 1885- 1900. Body material is silver - excepting the gold tip. The tip pulls away from the body revealing an attached one-stage telescopic section pencil. The compacted carry length is approximately 2 1/4 inches.

The Conway Stuart Company of England produced quality fountain pens and mechanical pencils since the beginning of the 20th century. The company's heyday featured incredible body color combinations which spanned the 1930's thru the late 1940's. Arguably, Conway Stewart's color patterns were the most interesting of all in the writing instrument world. Showing here are two ringtop Conway Stewart pencils and an associated lead holder. Some collectors refer to this pattern as 'end of day'. The story goes that at the end of the day all the colors used in various production projects were thrown into the vat to produce this non-production mismatch type of pattern. Stories vary. The top pencil is 4 1/2 inches in length. The lower piece is 4 inches long.

   

I'm showing three pencils today disguised as skeleton keys. All are of metal construction. Circa 1880 -1895. They are maker unmarked. Countries of origin could be France, England, or America. The top right piece is twist activated at the ring end. The top left piece is collar/slide driven. The bottom piece inverts into itself. None open any doors. 

  Parker vest pocket pencils. 1930's. Small.

Today's feature from the hinterlands is this hammered look silver-finished mechanical pencil. Circa 1895 - 1905. The pencil is 5 3/4 inches in length. No maker markings.

   Early porcupine quill bodied mechanical pencils are not uncommon. There are three or four in my stash. This one is circa 1880's. Likely made in England. The working end of the pencil is driven in and out of the body via a button controlled channel. Length is a mere 2 1/2 inches closed and 3 3/8 inches extended. The piece is not maker marked. It speaks Sampson Mordan Company to me.

Short stubby pencils produced in the 1930's into the 1940's were and are often referred to as golf pencils. Sheaffer marketed their version as a 'Golf' pencil. The company also marketed the same pencil line as a 'Handbag' pencil. Parker named their pencils 'Vest Pocket' pencils. The company also used the black and red 'Vest Pocket's' for their bridge, card game desk sets. A few companies such as Wahl-Eversharp and Conklin produced pen/pencil combo's that featured a removable pencil section that converted into a 'golf' pencil. Many of these stubby style pencils were often brand unmarked and produced in Germany. Pictured here from top to bottom are a no-name, Parker, A.T. Cross and Sheaffer.