The shop is closed until December 4 while we finish our 2024 travels. All orders received during our absence will be shipped promptly upon our return. Thank you for your patience!
14397: unmarked combination dip pen and pencil: sterling silver, 9.5 cm long closed, hexagonal body with hand engraved scrolling decoration, shield-shaped bloodstone seal, high quality English manufacture, nozzle uses "VS" lead.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $225
11991: unmarked desk pencil: long and elegant, gold filled trim with twist pattern black hard rubber barrel sleeve, 15.1 cm long, propels and retracts, uses 2.65 mm lead (lead clutch could be squeezed slightly to allow use of more readily available 2.5 mm lead).
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: VG • $95
16729: unmarked dip pen: mottled hard rubber, 17.4 cm long excluding nib (included, not gold).
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: fine • $65
11202: unmarked dip pen: sterling silver, American manufacture, marked only "STERLING"; bold twist decoration of fine quality, 15.5 cm long excluding plated steel nib.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $160
16679: unmarked dip pen: very long mottled hard rubber holder with ribbed gripping section, 20.6 cm long excluding nib, excellent quality, thickest part of gripping area 10.5 mm diameter; nib shown is included, not gold.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: exc • $65
14851: unmarked dip pen: sterling silver, 17.8 cm long excluding plated nib, American made, some denting and damage to underside of ferrule (see details), but fully functional, scrollwork of body is unusually richly engraved with wavelike patterning.
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: VG* • $120
16686: unmarked dip pen: gold filled, 16 cm long excluding nib, US manufacture, chasing is crisp and of excellent quality; scattered shallow dings to grip section, rough edges to mouth half-plugs (does not affect function), includes brass alloy plated nib; holders of this type are common in silver but far scarcer in gold filled, workmanship of hand chasing is notably better as well.
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: fine* • $120
14845: unmarked dip pen: black hard rubber holder, 17 cm long excluding plated nib, ribbed gripping section, flattened letter-opener taper with interesting advertising imprint for the Leviseur and Conway Leather company of Boston.
DATE: c. 1903 • CONDITION: fine • $85
15769: unmarked dip pen: copper-plated brass holder in the shape of a quill, 23.5 cm long excluding steel nib, engraved "Ausstellung Mannheim.1907/Louis Markert". The Mannheim exhibition of 1907 was devoted to art and horticulture.
DATE: c. 1907 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $120
15886: unmarked dip pen: large and chunky holder, 15.6 cm long excluding gold plated steel nib; beautiful blue and gold pearl material appears to be casein-based, and probably of French origin.
DATE: c. 1930 • CONDITION: exc • $95
15717: unmarked dip pen: beautiful tortoiseshell pattern celluloid, hollow construction adds to the translucence of the material, 13.1 cm long excluding gold-plated nib, probably European production.
DATE: c. 1930 • CONDITION: exc • $125
15313: unmarked dip pen and pencil set: sterling silver, barleycorn pattern, clamp-action pen uses a sliding collar, 15.5 cm long excluding plated nib, desk pencil uses 1/16 inch l(1.55 mm) lead; by all appearances of English manufacture and of excellent quality, with the unusual feature of the engine turned patterning applied to the ends as well.
DATE: c. 1880 • CONDITION: exc • $650
15262: unmarked dip pen and pencil set: sterling silver, cable twist pattern, pen is 16.6 cm long excluding plated nib, desk pencil uses 1.5 mm "VS" lead; English manufacture, excellent quality, possibly Mordan; condition excellent but for tool marks to pencil nozzle.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $425
15395: unmarked dip pen, pencil, and stamp compendium: nickel-plated brass, 11.1 cm long closed, made in Germany, clamp-style pencil nozzle takes standard 2 mm lead; self-inking reversing rubber stamp in end is spring-loaded.
DATE: c. 1905 • CONDITION: VG • $80
14769: unmarked dip pen, pencil, and stamp compendium: nickel-plated brass, 11.7 cm long closed, clamp-style pencil nozzle takes standard 2 mm lead; reversing rubber stamp in end is self-inking..
DATE: c. 1905 • CONDITION: VG • $120
13678: unmarked dip pens: sterling silver, beaded decoration, marked only "STERLING"; sold as a pair, though it is noteworthy that even these seemingly identical holders differ slightly, an indication of the hand work still required to finish die-stamped components (one is 16.2 cm long, the other 16.1). These appear to be new old stock, evenly tarnished, with a few very shallow storage bumps.
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: exc • $250
12771: unmarked double-ended pencil: slender hexagonal silver barrel with colored casein cones on either side, 13 cm long, hallmarked "835", probably German manufacture, uses 1.1 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1930 • CONDITION: VG • $85
14476: unmarked drop-action porte-crayon: unusually large and hefty ringtop, 8.7 cm long closed, hand-engraved sterling silver body, although the mechanism (including the top button and ring) appears to be nickel-plated rather than silver. Name very lightly stipple-engraved in the cartouche.
DATE: c. 1900 • CONDITION: exc • $225
7189: unmarked dummy display pen: heavy solid rubber, 13.9 cm long, looks like slip-cap eyedropper-filler but does not open.
DATE: c. 1910 • CONDITION: exc • $75
16275: unmarked extending pencil: early American slide-action, unusually large and of excellent qualilty, 13.5 cm long open, 10.1 cm closed, high gold content, hardstone seal, inset steel nozzle tip; even wear but overall sound, one slider pin missing, uses 1.1 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1850 • CONDITION: VG* • $295
13954: unmarked extending pencil: 8.5 cm long closed, 11.1 cm extended, uses 1.0 - 1.05 mm lead; construction appears to combine gold filled and solid gold components, typically American nozzle with inset steel tip. Some scratches to sides of nozzle body, crack and missing material at front of slider slot (see detail), faceted yellow end stone.
DATE: c. 1850 • CONDITION: VG* • $80
15306: unmarked extending pencil: slender gold filled American slide-action, 7.3 cm long closed, 9.7 cm extended, uses 1.0 mm lead; purple glass end, excellent quality and fully functional but wear commensurate with age, one slider pin missing, spot of solder on side of nozzle (see detail).
DATE: c. 1860 • CONDITION: VG* • $65
15952: unmarked extending pencil: large and striking, sterling silver with hand-chased floral decoration, carnelian seal stone, 12.1 cm long extended, 9.7 cm retracted; uses 1.0 mm lead, "M" marked nozzle, unusual tab slider mechanism. Unmarked but of excellent quality.
DATE: c. 1860 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $275
15949: unmarked extending pencil: large, sterling silver, fluted line and dot barrel, 11.8 cm long extended, 9.7 cm retracted, shield-shaped bloodstone seal stone, "M" marked nozzle has dings at its end, tool marks, uses 1.1 mm lead. Styling and quality are Mordanlike, overall condition is sound but wear and dings to sliding collar and lip worn away from front end cap (see detail).
DATE: c. 1865 • CONDITION: G-VG* • $145
15166: unmarked extending pencil: sterling silver12.2 cm long extended, 9.4 cm retracted, French hallmarks, excellent quality with plain unengraved rectangular seal end. Nozzle unmarked, unusual propelling pin with socket end holds 1.0 to 1.1 mm lead for both extending and retracting action (may be an added feature, as the nozzle end opening is larger, around 1.4 mm.
DATE: c. 1870 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $150
10656: unmarked extending pencil: slender, 8.1 cm long, 10.3 cm extended, yellow seal stone has chip on rim, metal crisp, noting short area of seam opening at front of slider slot; nozzle marked for "H" lead, appears to be English manufacture though not hallmarked, and of solid gold with no sign of wear-through.
DATE: c. 1870 • CONDITION: fine* • $65
15950: unmarked extending pencil: hand engraved sterling silver, hexagonal barrel and crown, faceted pink seal, 11.8 cm long extended, 8 cm long retracted; excellent quality, "M" marked nozzle uses 1.0 mm lead. English made, probably Birmingham.
DATE: c. 1870 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $165
16261: unmarked extending pencil: probably English, horn barrel sleeve with nickel silver trim, 8.65 cm long closed, 11 cm with nozzle extended, uses 1.5 mm lead, unusual form, cracks in horn do not affect function.
DATE: c. 1870 • CONDITION: VG* • $85
16004: unmarked extending pencil: gold filled miniature, 4.1 cm long retracted, 5.6 cm extended, moonstone seal, "M" on nozzle, uses 1.0 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1870 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $50
16005: unmarked extending pencil: gold filled miniature, 4.1 cm long retracted, 5.3 cm extended, purple stone in end (amethyst?), uses .7 mm lead, excellent but for seam opening on front trim band (does not affect function, could be resoldered).
DATE: c. 1870 • CONDITION: fine* • $40
16007: unmarked extending pencil: gold filled miniature, 3.95 cm long retracted, 5.35 cm extended, purple stone in end (amethyst?), turquoise peridots inlaid in sliding collar, uses .9 mm lead,.
DATE: c. 1875 • CONDITION: VG-fine • $75
16298: unmarked extending pencil: gold filled, twist-action nozzle extension, 6.95 cm long closed, 9 cm extended, unusual decoration with extensive hand engraving including a standing stag; USA production, uses 1.5 mm lead, lead propelling mechanism worn and will slip if lead is pressed hard straight down. Appearance is excellent.
DATE: c. 1880 • CONDITION: fine-exc* • $95
15955: unmarked extending pencil: small, sterling silver with faceted end stone, 7.9 cm long extended, 6 cm retracted, English made with line and dot engine turning, uses 1.0 mm lead; excellent quality but scattered marks and crown has been soldered in place unevenly, clearly an old repair.
DATE: c. 1880 • CONDITION: VG* • $80
15332: unmarked extending pencil: gold filled ringtop, twisted fluting and scroll pattern, 7.45 cm long closed, 9.85 cm extended, American manufacture, front of barrel is turned to extend nozzle; uses 1.5 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: VG-fine • $80
14493: unmarked extending toothpick: small, gold filled, 4.1 cm long closed, 6.2 cm extended, white seal stone. Gold toothpick blade is fixed loosely to slider, will wiggle; fluted barrel has bends, roughness to slider track.
DATE: c. 1880 • CONDITION: G-VG • $35
15143: unmarked eyedropper-filler: black hard rubber slip-cap, 13.6 cm long, gold filled Art Nouveau filigree overlay has not a trace of brassing (was sold to us as tested as 14K, but more likely top quality very thick gold laminate). Closely resembles a Waterman, similar quality but parts do not interchange. #2 warranted nib is a notable writer, only slightest fading to hard rubber.
DATE: c. 1905 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: medium stub flex • $425
16697: unmarked figural spirit lamp: nickel-plated brass, 8.15 cm tall, alcohol burner in the form of a champagne bottle, for melting sealing wax (or lighting a cigar). European manufacture, bottom unscrews to fill.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: VG-fine • $120
16422: unmarked Graf Zeppelin dip pen: rare figural holder, probably made to commemorate the Graf Zeppelin's visit to Estonia in 1930; .875 fine silver, Estonian hallmarks, 14.6 cm long excluding nib, nicely detailed, excellent quality, scattered nicks and dings.
DATE: c. 1930 • CONDITION: VG • $450
16398: unmarked Graf Zeppelin dip pen: rare figural holder, probably made to commemorate the Graf Zeppelin's visit to Estonia in 1930; .875 fine silver, Estonian hallmarks, 14.6 cm long excluding nib, nicely detailed, excellent quality; engraved monogram on top, a few shallow nicks, much better condition than is typical.
DATE: c. 1930 • CONDITION: fine • $650
16297: unmarked magic pencil: gold filled, 6.8 cm long closed, 12.7 cm extended, action works smoothly, nozzle has some shallow bumps, uses 1.5 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1880 • CONDITION: fine • $80
11815: unmarked magic pencil: a rare and desirable American-made ringtop figural novelty pencil in the form of an owl, 3.3 cm long retracted, 6.1 cm extended, gold filled trim, lapis blue celluloid body, red (ruby?) eyes; excellent detail and workmanship, probably Fairchild or Aikin Lambert, uses standard 1.1 mm lead. Action is a bit sticky but mechanism fully functional, usual age shrinkage to body has led to the side seam opening on one side and partially opening on the other (see details).
DATE: c. 1885 • CONDITION: VG* • $565
16416: unmarked magic pencil: sterling silver ringtop, 5.4 cm long closed, 9.8 cm extended, uses 1.4 mm lead, acid etched decoration reading "Bachelors' Circle" in lettering reminiscent of the posters of Toulouse-Lautrec; excellent working condition, some dings.
DATE: c. 1899 • CONDITION: VG • $125
14469: unmarked magic pencil: sterling silver ringtop, 6.1 cm long closed, 10.8 cm extended, uses 1.5 mm lead, propels and retracts; beautiful relief work with ribbons and inverted torches around an oval cartouche, appears to be French manufacture, excellent quality, one small bump at front end.
DATE: c. 1905 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $165
15763: unmarked magic pencil: solid 14K yellow gold, with chatelaine suspension sheath with ringtop, 6.9 cm long overall including bale fitting but not the attached ring, pencil alone is 6.2 cm long closed, 11.1 cm extended, uses standard 1.1 mm lead. No dings or test marks, marked only "14K", engraved monogram on end bulb; overall weight excluding interior mechanism is 12g.
DATE: c. 1905 • CONDITION: exc-near mint • $495
14856: unmarked magic pencil: small figural novelty ringtop in the form of an Egyptian obelisk, blue enamel decoration on what appears to be gold-plated silver; 3.8 cm long closed, 6.4 cm extended, German made, uses standard 1.1 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: fine • $150
10895: unmarked miniature safety set in box: beautiful ensemble, German manufacture, purple transparent enamel over silver. Black hard rubber safety pen is 7.2 cm long, fully functional, and appears never to have been used (we have replaced its cork seal and repaired a small crack in the internal spiral). The magic pencil is 5.25 cm long and bears an 835 silver content stamp on its ring; shaft and nozzle are gold-plated, and it uses standard 1.1 mm lead. The enamel is intact on pen and pencil, but is damaged on one side of the matching wax seal (see detail). Box is marked "Joyeria Zerbino", a retailer in Montevideo.
DATE: c. 1920 • CONDITION: exc* • NIB: fine • $795
14188: unmarked mummy and obelisk magic pencils: silver (?) with multicolored enamel, mummy is 6.1 cm long closed, obelisk 6 cm; mechanisms work smoothly, traces of gold wash visible on mummy. These are larger than typical examples, especially the obelisk. Mummy uses 1.5 to 1.7 mm lead, obelisk 1.1 mm.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: fine • $495
14189: unmarked mummy pencil: unusually small figural magic pencil, gold plated with multicolored enamel, 3 cm long retracted, top ring, fine working order, uses standard 1.1 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: fine • $195
15231: unmarked mummy pencil: silver figural with multicolored enamel, 5.3 cm long retracted; mechanism works smoothly, screw-in nozzle tip is missing but works fine with standard 2 mm lead inserted. Scattered losses to enamel, fine overall appearance.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: VG* • $225
16692: unmarked novelty pencil: wood and nickel-plated brass, 13.1 cm long with nozzle retracted, uses standard 2 mm lead held in a clamp-style holder; pull the trigger and nozzle assembly springs out of the barrel.
DATE: c. 1955 • CONDITION: fine • $40
15581: unmarked novelty stylographic pen: large brown hard rubber eyedropper-filler in the form of an artillery shell, 10.95 cm long, sprung needle is intact, no sign of the pen ever having been filled. Tool marks to section, however, especially to the milled flange (see details). Red-brown color is original, not faded black, likely made in England.
DATE: c. 1910 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: medium fine • $195
12721: unmarked Parker 51 counterfeit: black with metal cap marked "14KR GOLD FILLED" but with only a very thin gold wash; fully marked in imitation of a real 51, sac hardened, will need to be replaced; plated nib, cap jewel is opaque silver in color. Probably made in northern Italy, quality is low but much historical interest. Unused with shop wear, several available.
DATE: c. 1949 • CONDITION: fine-exc* • NIB: medium fine • $45
15045: unmarked pen wiper: gold plated finish, 6.7 cm (2 5/8 inches) square at base, bristles worn but usable, name scratched on bottom along with "Xmas '09".
DATE: c. 1909 • CONDITION: VG • $75
16273: unmarked pencil: early example in nickel silver rather than sterling, 8.75 cm long closed, thin flat waffle-pattern seal end, barrel seam along slot has been rather casually soldered, typically American nozzle with steel tip insert uses standard 1.1 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1845 • CONDITION: VG-fine • $120
16303: unmarked pencil: gold filled ringtop, 8.3 cm long closed, clamping lead holder, uses 2 mm lead, end is turned to tighten and loosen (lead is not mechanically propelled).
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: VG-fine • $60
11943: unmarked pencil: slender, barleycorn pattern with what appear to be traces of gilding (material appears to be solid silver and not plate), 9.3 cm long, uses 1.4 mm lead, probably American.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: exc • $70
14465: unmarked pencil: black with ivory-colored trim band, 13.2 cm long, uses 1.9 to 2.0mm lead; probably English or German, material appears to be casein-based, a few light scratches on the barrel, probably from a slip-on clip.
DATE: c. 1928 • CONDITION: fine • $45
11024: unmarked pencil and pencil topper: small sterling silver ringtop, uses standard 2 mm lead, 6.6 cm long, with similarly marked silver topper for a wooden pencil -- chased sleeve slides up to hide eraser, has some roughness and a small split at the top edge (see details). Both pieces probably New York manufacture.
DATE: c. 1900 • CONDITION: VG-fine • $65
16622: unmarked penner: wooden writing compendium, two-part dip pen with glass nib (functional, though worn on the side of the tip), some losses to metal of tinplate housing for glass ink bottle (see details).
DATE: c. 1870 • CONDITION: VG • NIB: medium fine • $150
9970: unmarked safety: miniature black hard rubber retracting-nib German safety, 8.35 cm long, engine-turned silver overlay marked only "900" at the center of the cap crown; despite size, a fully functional pen, cork has been replaced, 14K gold warranted nib has considerably flex, but due to dimensions line width variation is limited.
DATE: c. 1920 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: medium fine flex • $365
10568: unmarked safety: black hard rubber, small and slender with silver overlay; 9.45 cm long, French made, 18K warranted nib is serviceable but toothy, tipping scant.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: extra-fine semiflex • $225
12229: unmarked sheath pencil: white metal, 10 cm long, Egyptian-themed enameled badges applied on each side; dings overall, corrosion hole in holder (see details).
DATE: c. 1920 • CONDITION: G* • $45
16621: unmarked traveling inkwell and matchsafe set: high quality English manufacture, red leather covered. Inkwell is missing its pivoting safety hook, a feature not always present on these (the main latch is the push button on the front). Original rubber top seal has been replaced, is spring-loaded.
DATE: c. 1880 • CONDITION: fine* • $120
14457: unmarked writing set in box: German-made, comprising a dip pen, letter opener, pencil, and seal, all in what appears to be casein-based plastic, salmon and black. Box is 21.7 cm wide, dip pen is 13.8 cm long excluding nib. Some loss to the leatherette on the upper front part of the box, otherwise showing no signs of use.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: exc-near mint • $95
