Victorian Gold Ladies Sliding Propelling Pencil

Victorian Gold Ladies Sliding Propelling Pencil.

A fine and delicate early Victorian high carat gold Ladies sliding Propelling Pencil, the hexagonal body engraved with scrolls and flower heads, the terminal set with rows of graduated turquoise beads and with a bloodstone seal engraved - "Alice". The slider button also set with a turquoise bead. Complete with original silk and velvet lined fitted leather retailer's case.

Unmarked circa 1839-1843.

Retailed by Mortimer & Hunt, Jewellers & Goldsmiths & Goldsmiths To The Queen and Royal Family. 136 New Bond Street, London. c1839-1843.

Open 105mm.
Closed 84mm.

Victorian silver and gold mechanical Pencils, particularly the Novelty and Figural types produced mainly by Sampson Mordan & Co in the mid to late 19th century. They seem to reflect the culture and passions of the Victorian period so well. If it moved or you could eat it, shoot it or swing it, play it or perform with it, covet or dispute it, then the chances are a silver Pencil was made to represent it. Owls, Pigs, Foxes, Horses, Chickens, Ducks, Cats, Dogs, Frogs, Fish, Fans, Boats, Axes, Knives, Corkscrews, Cutlery, Whistles, Flutes, Pipes, Cricket Bats, Tennis Rackets, Golf Clubs, Umbrellas, Gavels, Keys, Hammers, Screws, Nails, Plumb Bobs, Paint Brushes, Rulers, Lanterns, Telescopes, Matches, Mallets, Whips, Bullets, Guns, Artillery Shells, Daggers, Bottles, Pillar Boxes, Clocks, Crosses, Quills, Egyptian Artifacts, Political and Satirical Characters to name but a few, were all produced by Sampson Mordan and others in the form of a mechanical novelty pencil. In some instances the subject represented a significant current event, such as the Percussion Pistol dated July 6th 1840. It is likely that these were made to commemorate an assassination attempt on Queen Victoria, by one Edward Oxford, who was tried for high treason at the Old Bailey on July 6th 1840, but was acquitted on the grounds of insanity and sent to Bethlehem Hospital. I think it is more than likely that several of these novelty pencils have as yet undiscovered and undocumented links to events in the turbulent Victorian era.

Although these 'Ultimate Mordans' are of great appeal to collectors, the imaginative approach was also applied to the standard range of propelling and sliding Pencils. Great innovations are shown for instance by the multi-coloured and combination pencils also produced by the prolific manufacturer.

Weight

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

Condition report

Stock number