Showing today are three mechanical pencils represented as a cluster of canon. All are different. Circa 1880. From the top they are made by: 1.) likely Sampson Mordan and unmarked, 2.) Sampson Mordan and 3.) Fairchild. All are made of sterling silver (except the inner workings). The top piece features a manual pull telescopic section/writing tip. With the middle piece, a telescopic section/tip is driven out to writing position via a stiff spring. The smallest and lowest pictured pencil extends by pulling the back ring away from the body This action simultaneously forces the working section/tip out to the writing position.. Generically, this pull/push style is referred to as a magic pencil. Internal gearing supplies the actual magic. The longest pencil is 2 3/8 inches long closed and 4 inches ready to write. The smallest of the bunch measures 1 7/8 inches compacted and 2 15/16 inches deployed. Measurements do not include the stirrups and rings. Boom! 😀

Physically it might appear we have a smokers pipe pictured here. Under closer examination it is a metal, combination traveling inkwell, dip pen and wooden pencil. The piece has no maker markings. Likely made during the 1890 -1915 period. Country of origin is probably England, possibly America. Material is of a very light gauge tin. yet the unit is still in remarkable condition. For the purists out there, the pen, or nib as it was later called, is not correct to the era of this piece. Smoke em if ya got em.

  The Jif Company of France was founded in 1926. The company created their own distinct lines of mechanical pencils and fountain pens. Jif, also in cooperation with the American L.E. Waterman Company, took over Waterman's European production. Jif and Waterman pencils and pens were designed distinctly differently from each other. Some color patterns were shared between the two companies. I'm showing today a small group of Jif mechanical pencils. Circa 1926 thru possibly as late as the early '40's. Thank you Janet Wright and Jon Veley for the awesome pictures.