In the later half of the 19th century mechanical pencils represented as many diverse objects were popular. One of these groupings was creatures or animals. Figural pencils resembling fish, elephants, and many other things that moved, were created. Showing here are a pair of owl figural pencils. The piece on the left was produced in England by the Sampson Mordan Company. The right piece was likely made by the William S. Hicks Company in the United States. Both pencils deploy the writing tip via the magic pencil mechanism (pulling out one end simultaneously pushes out the opposite working end). Magic! Both were produced circa 1880. The Mordan is 1 1/4 inches long closed and 2 1/4 inches extended. The Hicks is 1 1/8 inches long closed and 2 1/4 inches extended. Who?