Here on offer is a rare 9ct gold, Art Deco, Sampson Mordan & Co, gravity drop pencil from 1929.

This example has a beautiful plain cylindrical finish with a suspension ring and loop attached to one edge.

On one side it is engraved with the following:

F.M.O

FROM G.E.H

25.30

So I assume this was wonderful Christmas present given in December 1930.

On the end is a spring loaded push button which releases and closes the internal pencil, which drops and retracts with the aid of gravity!

It looks like it still has its original pencil, which doesn’t look like its been used.

On one edge it is fully hallmarked SM & Co for Sampson Mordan & Co with the London assay office leopards head, 9.375 for 9 carat gold and a gothic date letter 'O' for 1929.

Stamped around the edge of the top push button, is:

S.MORDAN & Co

And on top of the button is stamped:

9.375

This is a beautiful example of a 9ct gold pencil by one of the very best English Victorian silversmiths.

This exquisite 9ct gold drop pencil is 87 years old and is in excellent original condition, with no splits, dents or damage. 

A superb quality piece of 9ct gold, Art Deco workmanship.

Sampson Mordan (1790 – 9 April 1843) was a British Silversmith and in 1822, he patented the propelling pencil with fellow inventor John Hawkins.

Mordan bought Hawkins out, and then sold half the rights to a wealthy stationer Gabriel Riddle in 1823. With Riddle's money, the ingenious and commercially minded Mordan was able to build his foundling company into the 19thC success story it was.

Pencils made from 1823-37, when Riddle and Mordan parted, usually bear an 'SM GR' hallmark and the words 'S.MORDAN & Cos PATENT'. From c1838 until the 1860s, the wording 'S.MORDAN & CO MAKERS & PATENTEES' was used, with 'S.MORDAN & CO MAKERS' dating from the 1850s-60s. After the 1860s, the standard 'S.MORDAN & CO' mark was used.

Upon Mordan's death in 1843, his sons Sampson (junior) and Augustus inherited the firm. "S. Mordan & Co." continued to make silverware and brass postal scales until 1941, when bombs destroyed their factory during the London Blitz.

Retracted the Pencil measures 3” (7.6cm) long and is about 0.35” (0.9cm) diameter

The weighs a heavy 21.5g.

I have tried my best to take pictures to show the best detail of the engraving and hallmarks but it is not easy due to the brightness of the case.

Please note: The postage charges quoted are for, tracked UK postage.

The international postage is shown for tracked shipping to the USA. Shipping to Europe should be less, so please ask for an accurate price for your country.

Please ask me if you would like me to look at cheaper delivery services other than via Royal Mail.

Many thanks for taking the time to look.