These items have been sold, and the description, image and price ($US) are for reference purposes only.

Graphite was discovered and came into widespread use for writing following the discovery of a large deposit in Borrowdale, England in 1564. It made a darker line than lead, but was soft and brittle, and required a holder.

The graphite sticks were firstly wrapped in string, but later the graphite was inserted into hollowed wooden sticks the resultant pencil being similar to those in use today.

Britain soon lost its monopoly on production of wooden pencils and they were mass-produced in Germany from the 15th century. In the mid 16th century a number of German pencil manucturers were established more... whose trade names are still in use today, including Faber-Castell, Steadtler and Lyra.

In 1822, Sampson Mordan (1770 - 1843) with his partner, John Hawkins patented a "metal pencil with an internal mechanism for propelling the graphite 'lead' shaft forward during use", now known as the propelling pencil.

This meant that the casing could now be metal, most commonly gold or silver, which had appeal to the increasingly affluent middle and upper classes in Britain in the 19th century.

Various whimsical patterns were introduced for their propelling pencils including pig and boar-shaped pencils, and horse heads, dogs, cats, fish, frogs and owls.

In Britain between 1820 and 1873, more than 160 patents were filed by the company for various mechanical pencil designs. The first spring-loaded mechanical pencil was patented in 1877 and a twist-feed mechanism was developed in 1895.

Some mechanical pencils only hold the graphite in position against gravity, while others are able to feed the lead through the pencil, as it wears down.

There are various mechanisms used to feed the lead through the pencil, including ratchet-based pencils in which the lead is advanced by a button on the end or the side; screw-based pencils in which the lead is advanced by twisting a screw, which moves a slider down the barrel and twist-based pencils in which the lead is advanced by twisting the head of the pencil.

Mechanical pencils are still in demand today by architects, draughtsmen and artists. less...

A seal is an engraved stamp for making impressions on sealing-wax. The seal was made by heating sealing wax and dropping it onto the paper, and then placing the seal into the soft wax. Seals were originally used to provide authenticity to documents and proclamations, and in the 19th century to seal letters, before the introduction of the gummed flap. Seals were often set into rings, hung on watch fob chains or neck chains, and there was also a more substantial freestanding desk model with a handle. The seal could be made of any material that could be finely more... engraved with a monogram or other symbol, including agate, black onyx, bloodstone, cornelian, jasper and lapis lazuli. For desk seals, materials used for the handles included gold, pinchbeck, ivory, hardstones, silver, brass, steel, and coloured twist glass. Seals were fell out of use with the introduction of the penny post in 1840, which led to the evolution of the gummed envelope meaning it was no longer necessary to place a seal every envelope. less...

Georgian sterling silver signature seal maker's mark to Thomas…
Georgian Sterling Silver Racing Greyhound Signature Seal by Thomas Smith

Georgian sterling silver signature seal maker's mark to Thomas Smith, Birmingham circa 1819, seal figure of a racing greyhound to base, length 3.54 in. Ex pencil holder.

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An antique 15ct gold retractable pencil, adorned with polished…
19th Century Antique Gold Pencil with Turquoise and Amethyst Seal

An antique 15ct gold retractable pencil, adorned with polished turquoise and amethyst seal top, 19th century, 1.97 in. long

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Silver and Amythest seal top propelling pencil, unmarked, by…
Silver and Amethyst Seal Top Propelling Pencil by Wilmot & Co

Silver and Amythest seal top propelling pencil, unmarked, by Wilmot & Co., of hexagonal form, set with amythest seal top, decorated with acanthus motifs in relief to top, with incised flower and foliage pattern to body, total weight 16gm, length 3.74 in…

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10ct gold and garnet seal top propelling pencil, unmarked…
10ct Gold Garnet Seal Top Propelling Pencil, Acanthus Motifs

10ct gold and garnet seal top propelling pencil, unmarked (tested as 10ct), of hexagonal form, set with garnet seal to top, above acanthus motifs in relief, with incised acanthus pattern to body, total weight 12gm (weighted), length 3.54 in.-4.33 in.

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Two sterling silver propelling pencils, one miniature with…
Sterling Silver Propelling Pencils, Webb Birmingham, c.1885

Two sterling silver propelling pencils, one miniature with agate seal top, Francis Webb, Birmingham, c.1885, the other with later Addition green bead finial, filigree detail, column finial, length 5.5-3.15 in.

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A sterling silver, carnelian seal top propelling pencil,…
Sterling Silver Carnelian Seal Top Propelling Pencil with Filigree Detail

A sterling silver, carnelian seal top propelling pencil, filigree detail, column finial, engraved initials to body Erk, length 3.54 in.

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A sterling silver, amethyst seal top propelling pencil,…
Filigree Amethyst Propelling Pencil

A sterling silver, amethyst seal top propelling pencil, filigree detail, column finial, length 3.74 in.

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Two miniature sterling silver, citrine & glass seal top…
Sterling Silver Citrine & Glass Mini Pencils

Two miniature sterling silver, citrine & glass seal top propelling pencils, length 5-2.36 in.

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Two sterling silver, citrine & glass seal top propelling…
Filigree Citrine Pencils with Glass Seal Top

Two sterling silver, citrine & glass seal top propelling pencils, filigree detail, length 3.15 in.

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A sterling silver, agate seal top propelling pencil, filigree…
Sterling Silver Agate Propelling Pencil with Filigree Detail

A sterling silver, agate seal top propelling pencil, filigree detail, length 3.54 in.

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A sterling silver, citrine seal top propelling pencil, with…
Ridged Citrine Seal Top Pencil in Sterling Silver

A sterling silver, citrine seal top propelling pencil, with ridged engraved detail, length 4.13 in.

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A gold lined, orange glass seal top propelling pencil, ridged…
Orange Gold Pencil with Filigree Finial

A gold lined, orange glass seal top propelling pencil, ridged detail, column filigree finial, length 3.15 in.

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Two gold lined, purple & orange glass seal top propelling…
Gold and Glass Propelling Pencils with Filigree Detail

Two gold lined, purple & orange glass seal top propelling pencils, filigree detail, column finial, length 3.15 in.

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Two gold lined, agate & purple glass seal top propelling…
Gold-lined agate & glass seal top propelling pencils

Two gold lined, agate & purple glass seal top propelling pencils, engraved filigree detail, column finial, length 3.74 in.

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A gold lined, orange glass seal top propelling pencil, ridged…
Gold and Orange Filigree Propelling Pencil

A gold lined, orange glass seal top propelling pencil, ridged detail, filigree column finial, length 3.74 in.

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Two miniature gold lined, bloodstone & carnelian seal top…
Miniature Gold & Gemstone Seal Top Pencils

Two miniature gold lined, bloodstone & carnelian seal top propelling pencils, length 4-2.17 in.

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Two miniature gold lined, citrine seal top propelling pencils,…
Miniature Citrine Seal Top Propelling Pencils

Two miniature gold lined, citrine seal top propelling pencils, length 5-2.56 in.

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Two miniature gold lined, glass seal top propelling pencils,…
Gold-lined Glass Seal Top Propelling Pencils - Miniature Pair

Two miniature gold lined, glass seal top propelling pencils, length 1.57 in.

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Two miniature gold lined, citrine & glass seal top propelling…
Miniature Gold & Turquoise Propelling Pencils

Two miniature gold lined, citrine & glass seal top propelling pencils with turquoise detail, length 4-1.77 in.

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A gold lined, agate seal top propelling pencil, ridged detail,…
Gold-lined Agate Seal Pencil with Engraved Initials

A gold lined, agate seal top propelling pencil, ridged detail, column, final, engraved initials to seal, length 3.35 in.

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A Sampson Mordan & Co, gold lined amethyst seal top propelling…
Gold-lined amethyst seal top propelling pencil by Sampson Mordan

A Sampson Mordan & Co, gold lined amethyst seal top propelling pencil, length 3.35 in.

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A gold lined, carnelian seal top propelling pencil, engraved…
Gold and Carnelian Filigree Propelling Pencil

A gold lined, carnelian seal top propelling pencil, engraved filigree detail, column finial, length 3.74 in.

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A gold lined, bloodstone seal top propelling pencil, engine…
Gold Bloodstone Propelling Pencil with Filigree Finial

A gold lined, bloodstone seal top propelling pencil, engine turned pattern, filigree column finial, length 3.74 in.

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Two propelling pencils including an arrow, USA 14ct gold filled…
Gold-filled and Ceramic Propelling Pencils with Arrow and Crest

Two propelling pencils including an arrow, USA 14ct gold filled & a rolled gold with ceramic crest seal top, length 5.12 in.

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Propelling pencil in 9ct yellow gold with shield shaped blood…
Gold Pencil with Blood Stone Seal and Floral Engraving

Propelling pencil in 9ct yellow gold with shield shaped blood stone seal and floral engraved body circa late 19th century.

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Sampson Mordan mechanical pencil yellow metal set with a…
Sampson Mordan Mechanical Pencil with Bloodstone Seal

Sampson Mordan mechanical pencil yellow metal set with a bloodstone seal. Marked S. Mordan & Co makers. Approx length 4.33 in.

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Victorian sterling silver dual propelling pencil and Nib, of…
Victorian Sterling Silver Dual Propelling Pencil and Nib

Victorian sterling silver dual propelling pencil and Nib, of facetted form, set with seal top and engraved with acanthus, with cast dual mounts, length 4.53 in.

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Victorian 14ct gold pencil, of slender form with reeded body…
Victorian 14ct Gold Pencil with Agate Seal

Victorian 14ct gold pencil, of slender form with reeded body and agate seal, total weight 7.67gm, height 3.15 in.

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Two Victorian sterling silver propelling pencils, set with seal…
Victorian Sterling Silver Propelling Pencils with Seal Tops

Two Victorian sterling silver propelling pencils, set with seal top, above reeded and engraved bodies, length 3.74 in. and 4.33 in. (2)

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Antique gold lined propelling pencil with bloodstone seal end,…
Antique Gold Pencil with Bloodstone Seal

Antique gold lined propelling pencil with bloodstone seal end, length 4.92 in.

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15ct propelling pencil, inset hardstone seal to the top (faults)
Hardstone Seal Propelling Pencil (Faults)

15ct propelling pencil, inset hardstone seal to the top (faults)

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Two sterling silver telescopic pencils including a S Mordan &…
Sterling Silver Telescopic Pencils, S Mordan & Co

Two sterling silver telescopic pencils including a S Mordan & Co, one with reeded body, hallmarks worn, c1900, the other S Mordan & Co solid seal top, engine turned body, length 1.57 in. and 1.77 in.

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Two 9ct rose gold telescopic pencils with a bloodstone and blue…
3 Gold Telescopic Pencils with Gemstones and Engraving

Two 9ct rose gold telescopic pencils with a bloodstone and blue paste gemstone finial, a 9ct gold (tested) seal top telescopic pencil, engraved body, 2.17 in. L, total weight 2gms, length 2.17 in. Wt 3.7 grams

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Two miniature telescopic pencils, one in 14ct yellow gold with…
Telescopic Pencils: Gold & Gemstone Miniatures

Two miniature telescopic pencils, one in 14ct yellow gold with a turquoise finial, the other in 9ct yellow gold with a agate seal, length 1.77 in. and 1.97 in. Wt 5.3 grams

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Two miniature telescopic pencils with an amethyst and garnet…
Miniature Telescopic Pencils with Gemstone Seals

Two miniature telescopic pencils with an amethyst and garnet seal top, length 1.57 in. and 1.97 in.

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Two Victorian fancy propelling pencils, with small seal and…
Victorian Propelling Pencils with Seal and Watch Key

Two Victorian fancy propelling pencils, with small seal and seal/pocket watch key

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A seal top sterling silver telescopic pencil, 9.5 cm long
Sterling Silver Seal Top Telescopic Pencil, 9.5cm

A seal top sterling silver telescopic pencil, 3.74 in. long

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A seal top sterling silver (hallmarked) miniature telescopic…
Birmingham 1908 Sterling Silver Telescopic Pencil with Seal Top

A seal top sterling silver (hallmarked) miniature telescopic pencil, Birmingham 1908, 2.36 in. long

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A miniature seal top telescopic pencil, amethyst inset, 4 cm…
Miniature Amethyst Seal Top Telescopic Pencil (4cm)

A miniature seal top telescopic pencil, amethyst inset, 1.57 in. long

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A 14ct gold (tested) seal top telescopic miniature pencil, 4 cm…
14ct Gold Telescopic Miniature Pencil with Seal Top

A 14ct gold (tested) seal top telescopic miniature pencil, 1.57 in. long, total weight 2.2gms

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A 9ct gold (hallmarked) seal top telescopic pencil, engraved…
Engraved 9ct Gold Telescopic Pencil with Seal Top

A 9ct gold (hallmarked) seal top telescopic pencil, engraved body, 2.17 in. long, total weight 5.2gms

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A 9ct gold (tested) seal top telescopic pencil, facet cut seal,…
Faceted Seal Top Gold Pencil

A 9ct gold (tested) seal top telescopic pencil, facet cut seal, engraved body, 3.15 in. long, total weight 7.5gms

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A miniature seal top telescopic pencil, bloodstone, sterling…
Bloodstone Seal Pencil in Sterling Silver

A miniature seal top telescopic pencil, bloodstone, sterling silver, 1.57 in. long

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A 9ct gold (tested) seal top telescopic pencil, extensively…
Decorative 9ct Gold Seal Top Telescopic Pencil, 5g

A 9ct gold (tested) seal top telescopic pencil, extensively decorated body, 3.15 in. long, total weight 5gms

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A seal top telescopic pencil, engine turned body, sterling…
Sterling Silver Seal Top Telescopic Pencil, Engine Turned Body

A seal top telescopic pencil, engine turned body, sterling silver, 3.15 in. long

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A sterling silver seal top telescopic pencil, floral imprint to…
Sterling Silver Telescopic Pencil with Floral Seal Top

A sterling silver seal top telescopic pencil, floral imprint to seal, 1.77 in. long

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A sterling silver seal top telescopic pencil, amethyst inset, 7.…
Sterling Silver Amethyst Seal Top Telescopic Pencil

A sterling silver seal top telescopic pencil, amethyst inset, 2.95 in. long

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A 9ct gold (tested) seal top telescopic pencil, engraved body,…
Engraved 9ct Gold Telescopic Pencil with Seal Top

A 9ct gold (tested) seal top telescopic pencil, engraved body, 1.77 in. long, total weight 3gms

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A 9ct gold (tested) seal top telescopic pencil, amethyst, of…
9ct Gold Amethyst Seal Top Telescopic Pencil

A 9ct gold (tested) seal top telescopic pencil, amethyst, of plain form, 1.77 in. long, total weight 3.3gms

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A seal top sterling silver telescopic pencil, amethyst,…
Amethyst Sterling Silver Telescopic Pencil with Engraved Body

A seal top sterling silver telescopic pencil, amethyst, engraved body, 2.36 in. long

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A small sterling silver seal top telescopic pencil, amber inset,…
Sterling Silver Amber Pencil with Seal Top

A small sterling silver seal top telescopic pencil, amber inset, 2.36 in. long

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A seal top sterling silver telescopic pencil, 8 cm long
Sterling Silver Seal Top Telescopic Pencil, 8cm Long

A seal top sterling silver telescopic pencil, 3.15 in. long

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Silver plated telescoping pencil, with repousse barrel and…
Silver Plated Telescoping Pencil with Agate Seal

Silver plated telescoping pencil, with repousse barrel and banded agate seal end (un-engraved)

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Sterling silver telescoping pencil by S. Mordan & Co., London,…
Telescoping Sterling Silver Pencil with Bloodstone Seal

Sterling silver telescoping pencil by S. Mordan & Co., London, c.1860, with unengraved bloodstone seal end.

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A Victorian 9ct. gold propelling pencil, the exterior profusely…
Victorian 9ct. Gold Propelling Pencil with Citrine Seal

A Victorian 9ct. gold propelling pencil, the exterior profusely engraved with a citrine seal to the end, unmarked but tests as 9ct.

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Victorian gold Butler & Co. propelling pencil, with seal
Victorian Gold Propelling Pencil with Seal

Victorian gold Butler & Co. propelling pencil, with seal

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A Mordan propelling pencil with bloodstone seal
Bloodstone Mordan Propelling Pencil with Seal

A Mordan propelling pencil with bloodstone seal

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A rolled-gold propelling pencil with bloodstone seal.
Bloodstone-sealed Rolled-Gold Propelling Pencil

A rolled-gold propelling pencil with bloodstone seal.

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A gold propelling pencil, foliate design and machine turned…
9ct Gold Propelling Pencil with Carnelian Seal

A gold propelling pencil, foliate design and machine turned detail, carnelian seal; testing as 9ct gold. Weight 9.9g.

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A Victorian 9 carat rose gold propelling pencil, later 19th…
Victorian Rose Gold Propelling Pencil with Foliate Designs

A Victorian 9 carat rose gold propelling pencil, later 19th century, with maker's mark E.B. The hexagonal shaped pencil with chased foliate designs and a turban shaped finial with a stone seal; hallmarked 9C to shaft. Length 4.92 in.

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9ct yellow gold Sampson Mordan pencil. Metal mechanism. Seal to…
Sampson Mordan 9ct Gold Pencil with Seal

9ct yellow gold Sampson Mordan pencil. Metal mechanism. Seal to top.

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9ct yellow gold antique pencil with onyx seal top
Antique Onyx Seal Top Pencil in 9ct Yellow Gold

9ct yellow gold antique pencil with onyx seal top

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Antique gold and turquoise pencil, with agate seal to top, as…
Antique Gold and Turquoise Pencil with Agate Seal

Antique gold and turquoise pencil, with agate seal to top, as inspected.

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An antique writing pencil, yellow gold cased, fitted to…
Antique Writing Pencil with Amethyst Seal in Original Box

An antique writing pencil, yellow gold cased, fitted to original box, of cylindrical form with ribbed outer case, flared to one end with set amethyst seal, slide mechanism of foliate design, manufactured by brush & Macdonnell

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