This rare Victorian novelty sterling silver Quill mechanical pencil brooch attributed to Sampson Mordan is a fine collector's piece, and an all round exquisite example of Victorian craftsmanship.
Sampson Mordan (1790-1843) was a British silversmith and a co-inventor of the first patented mechanical pencil which were destined to become the most fashionable luxury accessory of the Victorian age!
This is an incredibly hard to find novelty version of one of those pencils, a known Sampson Mordan model. Fashioned as an 18th century quill pen it is beautifully detailed with engraved detailing forming the feather and a little turquoise gemstone set button that propels the inner tube forward to reveal a silver nozzle that holds the pencil lead. The nozzle unscrews so you can replace the lead when needed, it currently holds a piece of 1.4mm pencil lead in there.
A fairly large size this mechanical pencil has a sturdy pin back with a t-hinge and c-clasp for wear as a brooch. We have never seen another quite like it so whether the pin back was added after retail or it was specially made by the company for a customer we really couldn't say but the pin back is certainly period to the piece.
Fully functioning, it is as beautiful as it is practical, a collectors dream piece that will make a unique gift for a writer friend or loved one!
MATERIALS: sterling silver
GEMSTONE: turquoise
MEASUREMENTS: 4-1/2" (12cm) length
HALLMARKS: stamped in a partly occluded 'V.S' on the nozzle, acid tested and confirmed sterling silver throughout
WEIGHT: 9.1 grams
DATE: circa 1870, Victorian
CONDITION: in excellent antique condition with no noted flaws