Showing today is a silver (possibly sterling), figural jug mechanical pencil. The piece is unmarked. Probably British. Produced in the vicinity of 1885. The base of the jug is designed to pull away from the body proper, revealing an attached, three stage telescopic pencil. The stages extend automatically when pulled away from the jug body. Pushing the writing section back into the body automatically retracts the sections into the carry position. The jug is 1 5/8 inches long with pencil unrevealed. The extended pencil section by itself is exactly 3 inches long.

  Montblanc of Germany produced the model 92 pencil from 1935 thru 1952. Here showing are 3 examples of the breed. The pencils feature a repeater (top button push activated) lead mechanism. Pushing and holding the button while manually pushing the lead back into the body retracts the lead for carrying. Nice pencils!

  People ask what is my favorite Victorian pencil. I always say and mean, 'All are my favorites'. Today I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Pickwick of Charles Dickens fame. By way of more impossible introduction, he is certainly a sterling, figural pencil designed and produced by Sampson Mordan of England in around the 1890 period. Pulling the hat off his head reveals the working end of a mechanical pencil. He stands about two inches tall pencilless. I am personally astounded by the quality of the sculpture in the revelation of the man. He's one of my favorite Victorian pencils.