STUNNING VICTORIAN Sampson Mordan SOLID SILVER RIBBED FLUTED PROPELLING PENCIL

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STUNNING VICTORIAN Sampson Mordan SOLID SILVER RIBBED FLUTED PROPELLING PENCIL:
$117.15

STUNNING LARGE EARLY VICTORIAN Sampson Mordan SOLID SILVER RIBBED FLUTED PROPELLING PENCIL
Sampson Mordan....London circa 1845

This is a Superb Large Early Victorian Solid Silver Ribbed Fluted Propelling Pencil crafted by the highly sought after and world renowned Victorian Silversmith Sampson Mordan this stunning Pencil dates to circa 1845 making it about 170 years old. This stunning Silver Propelling Pencil has the most beautiful elegant design to the body as you would expect being crafted by one of the finest Victorian Silversmiths Sampson Mordan, this is no exception with its beautiful ribbed fluting decoration to the body which is set of with smooth banding to the end of this propelling pencil, the slider also has the most beautiful reeded banding with a smooth finish, it is just so very elegant and timeless,this is a very unusual design so very Georgian in its appearance, the quality of the craftsmanship is superb, this would have once belonged to either a wealthy Victorian Gentleman and sat pride of place on his writing desk and used daily in a time when things were so very different, it is in wonderful working condition and the slider for propelling the pencil still moves very smoothly, it is so very tactile, once you pick it up you wont want to put it down, it is marked S Mordan & Co to the body,it has been tested and is solid silver, it isnt unusual no having hallmarks as many small silver items just carry the makers mark, my word and photos really dont do it justice, the condition is excellent with no dents or splits, this will add something special to any collection

Maker.......Sampson Mordan

S. Mordan & Co history
The beginning of the propelling pencil
Sampson Mordan was the co inventor of the propelling pencil (ever-pointed pencil), his partner at the time was John Isaac Hawkins and they filed a patent for their invention in 1822. Mordan quickly bought out Hawkins and in 1823 registered his first silver mark. By October of 1823 he had formed another partnership, this time with a wealthy stationer by the name of Gabriel Riddle. Under the name of S. Mordan and Co they carried on business as Mechanists and Manufacturers of Patent and other articles, at 22 Castle street, Finsbury, London.
Mordan and Riddle silver propelling pencil
Together they manufactured the propelling pencils that Mordan is so famous for. During this period their pencils were marked with \"S. MORDAN & Cos PATENT\" and their silver mark was \"SM.GR\". The partnership between the two of them was dissolved on the 20th of December 1836, Mordan continued trading as S. Mordan and Co.
Other Mordan items
Although S. Mordan & Co had began primarily manufacturing propelling pencils the company also produced other products of excellent design and quality. By 1842 they were advertising a multitude of products, including: patent pencil cases in various designs, novelty pencils in shapes of pistols and flutes etc, pencil leads, cedar drawing pencils, self-adjusting pen holders, patent oblique pens, portable quill pens, letter copying presses, locks, book edge locks, cash and deed boxes, fireproof merchant chests, medicine chests, smelling bottles, fountain ink stands, travelling ink wells and seal presses for stamping paper. So as can be seen from the aforementioned list the company was diversifying greatly.
Sampson Mordan\'s death
Sampson Mordan died on 9th April 1843 and the company was passed in to the hands of two of his sons, Sampson Mordan Jnr and Augustus Mordan. At this time the company were listed as having premises at 41 City-Road, Finsbury, in the County of Middlesex and also at 72 Cheapside in the City of London. The company continued to flourish and the two brothers were joined in partnership by Edmund George Johnson and Zachariah Watkins, the later of which reitred on 17th April 1879. In 1881 Sampson Mordan Jnr died in Paris.
Augustus Mordan
Augustus Mordan and Edmund George Johnson were joined in partnership by Horace F Stewart, H L Symonds and James Pulley. However, on the 16th April 1884 the partnership was dissolved, and Augustus Mordan left the partnership. The remaining partners continued with the firm under the name of S. Mordan and Co.
On the 19th of January 1898 Edmund George Johnson died and one of the executors of his will was named as Percy Charles Mordan. Whether this was a hitherto unmentioned brother or possibly son of Sampson Jnr or Augustus is unclear.
Silver and Gold items
In 1898 the company became a limited liability company under the name of S. Mordan and Co Ltd. The company continued to make quality items and are renown the world over for their beautiful silver and gold items. Their pencils and pens varied from being relatively plain fluted or reeded examples to examples that were covered in beautiful swirls and curls. The ends of the pencils often had colourful stones which could be engraved with emblems or initials to be used as a seal with sealing wax, their ends often unscrewing to reveal compartments for spare leads. Other silver and gold items produced by the company included menu holders, seals, cigarette cases, vesta cases, bookmarks, scent bottles, card cases, sovereign holders and much more. These items were often beautifully embellished with colourful stones, enamel or engravings. Probably the most sought after examples of Mordans work are the novelty pencils which came in many different forms, some where made in the shape of weapons like swords,pistols or rifles, others in the shape of animals such as pigs,owls or a ducks head, yet others where in the form of a figure of a person. Some of these designs can be seen in other Mordan items such as seals and menu holders. No matter their form or function all of the products produced by S. Mordan and Co were noted for their quality, design and ingenuity, which is why they are the objects of many collectors desires.
S. Mordan and Co Ltd cease trading

Assay.....London

Date....circa 1845

Measurements.......3-1/2 inches length not including the pencil

Weight.....15.8 grams

Condition....excellent condition,

Thanks for looking

All Antique silver items will show some signs of wear, which only adds to the history of the object, .....study the photos before offerding , Thank you

Design By: FreesaleDesigns

On 23-May-16 at 02:32:49 BST, seller added the following style=\"text-decoration:none\"