Description:

Sampson Mordan interest - A unique mid-19thC and later over-sized exhibition quality silver propelling pencil, reputedly exhibited at the Great Exhibition in 1851
the hexagonal body hand-engraved with Persian or Indian style leaves and flowers over a curving chased ground, with plain hexagonal collar with two plain circular bands sliding to extend the lead holder, the curved hexagonal hollow terminal finely engraved with similar motifs with a band of stylised Egyptian palmettes, set with a bloodstone disc, and unscrewing to reveal storage with leads to fit the pencil, the body with WBS maker's mark for William 'Bob' Smith, and London hallmarks for 2000, total weight including mechanism 36.2 tr.oz., 54.5cm long extended, 40.5cm long closed, together with a late 19thC silver Mordan pencil of the same form, with plain finish, stamped 'S.MORDAN & CO.', 9.4cm long closed. (2)

* When this pencil was acquired by the vendor, it was in poor, crushed condition, having been found in a Birmingham jeweller's warehouse that was being cleared and contained other items reputedly from the Great Exhibition. It was restored professionally to top standards as a 'passion project' by silversmith, craftsman and jeweller 'Bob' (William Robert) Smith and pencil and propelling pencil expert and restorer Neil Davis. Smith added his own hallmarks to the piece to comply with legal requirements, as the piece was not previously hallmarked. The stand that this unique piece was displayed at in the Great Exhibition is sadly unknown, although Sampson Mordan did exhibit at the Great Exhibition of 1851. A unique and visually stunning piece of superb, exhibition quality that will undoubtedly launch a fascinating research project, as well as crown any propelling pencil collection.

** Restored, mechanism functioning. Only very light surface wear over the past two decades. Lightly tarnished. Immaculate, really.

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1 May 2026 10:00
Guernsey, United Kingdom

Martel Maides

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