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.