Showing today is a silver, figural harp mechanical pencil. Probably British. Circa 1880. The writing tip is exposed by the push/pull collar on the vertical shaft. The piece is 2 inches tall and 7/8 inches across. It is 2 9/16 inches long in the extended position.

  Sheaffer's produced it's first mechanical pencil in 1917. The model was named Sharp-Point. Shown here is a small sampling of those pencils. Specifically labeled in-store display cases were built and used to feature them.

  Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth has produced many fine pencils during the last 200 years. The Koh-I-Noor and L.C. Hardtmuth names both produced wooden and mechanical pencils. The company was founded in Austria in 1790 by Joseph Hardtmuth. Today the company is headquartered in the Czech Republic. Their first patent for pencil lead was granted in 1802. Showing today is a later model 4095 B mechanical pencil produced during the 1940's, possibly the late 30's. This one features a propel/repel twist mechanism. It is 5 3/4 inches long. It was inscribed and marketed as L.C. Hardtmuth.

  At the recently concluded Triangle Pen show this guy exhibited a large vintage, mechanical pencil collection. Circa 1920 -1955. The large cases pictured here featured pencils from the United States, Britain, Germany and Italy. 

 Thanks to my wonderful friend Janet Wright for the awesome pictures.

  The French connection was particularly well represented by the Waterman's Jif pencils pictured below.

  Maybe a pencil exhibit would not be complete without a couple bridge pencil sets.

  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.