For dip pens listed without nibs, steel or brass nibs can be provided upon request without charge.
The items below are sorted by maker; click here to sort by date
Pencil lead links: order - sizes and sources
16274: Addison (?) extending pencil: reeded silver, 8.2 cm long retracted, 10.7 cm extended, unmarked but distinctively early American design with hexagonal seal end, nozzle with steel insert; uses 1.1 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1845 • CONDITION: fine • $200
12225: Aikin Lambert sheath pencil: sterling silver, 8.2 cm long, engraved "APOLLO CLUB", fully marked, suspension ring.
DATE: c. 1900 • CONDITION: fine • $65
15305: Aikin Lambert dip pen, pencil, and manicure set in box: a most unusual presentation set, all in sterling silver, the three pieces engraved "M.M.", "to", and "Maiza". The reversible dip pen carries a ventless gold #4 Aikin Lambert nib, while the pencil uses .075 inch lead and extends and retracts. Some small dings here and there (see details), faceted colored glass end stones. Pencil is 12 cm long, other two pieces are 9.3 cm long, closed.
DATE: c. 1905 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: medium fine flex • $650
14327: Butler extending pencil: early slide-action, sterling silver, 9 cm long closed, 11.7 cm extended, bloodstone seal; nozzle marked "H", denoting 0.8 mm lead, characteristic form with steel tip insert.
DATE: c. 1840 • CONDITION: fine • $220
14788: Collins (?) extending pencil: very early American production, unmarked as to metal content but by all appearances solid gold of relatively low karatage, 8.7 cm long closed, 11.1 cm extended, steel tip insert, bulbous crown characteristically early, uses 1.0 mm lead, "M. Collins" in tiny letters on shaft, could be either maker or owner. Scattered shallow dings, even wear to shaft, tiny spot of solder over slider pins.
DATE: c. 1840 • CONDITION: G • $225
16243: Cross umbrella pencil: novelty figural, 11 cm long, gold plated brass and black hard rubber, uses standard 2.0 mm lead; the exact model is illustrated and discussed in Lambert's Writing History, pp.76-8. Fully functional, lead propels, but if handle is pulled the mechanism will come out. This is the larger version of the design, and especially uncommon.
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: VG* • $175
16652: Cross magic pencil: gold filled, with suspension sheath, 6.8 cm closed, 11.5 cm extended, uses standard 2mm lead. Smooth action, fully marked; plating wear to front of sheath, one tiny flat spot on end ball. Cross magic pencils are uncommon.
DATE: c. 1920 • CONDITION: VG-fine • $200
16446: Cross (?) clutch pencil: gold filled ringtop, 7.9 cm long, uses 3 mm thick lead; unmarked, no mechanical lead advance function, crown is twisted to clamp and unclamp lead.
DATE: c. 1900 • CONDITION: exc • $60
12297: Edward Baker magic pencil: large 9K solid gold ringtop, 7.4 cm long closed, 13.5 cm extended, uses 1.5 mm "VS" lead; solid with real heft, weight 30 g.
DATE: c. 1900 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $800
12702: Edward Baker ejector dip pen: sterling silver, London hallmarks worn but legible, 15.4 cm long excluding nib. The end of the taper is spring-loaded; when pushed, the nib is ejected. Plunger spring has taken a set, so plunger does not spring all the way back, slight bend to plunger, small seam split at end of taper (see detail), but all fully functional.
DATE: c. 1902 • CONDITION: fine* • $250
13629: Edward Todd telescoping ruler pencil: sterling silver ringtop, 11.3 cm long, square body ruled to 3 5/8 inches, extends to 32.5 cm to measure a full 12 inches; hand-engraved numbers, 1897 patent date, uses standard 2 mm thick lead. Early production, unusual size, only example we have handled that is three-draw, rather than two. Ringtop attachment appears to have been resoldered in the past (see detail).
DATE: c. 1898 • CONDITION: fine* • $350
16215: Elmwood dip pen: slender gold filled unmarked holder, branchiform pearl taper, 15.5 cm long including #1 ventless gold nib.
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: medium • $85
12224: Fairchild magic pencil: unusual ringtop, 6.75 cm long closed, 11.8 cm extended, alternating rose gold filled and black celluloid ribbed rings; slight gap between end rings due to age shrinkage of celluloid, mechanism works smoothly and positively, uses 1.0 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: VG-fine • $150
16628: Fairchild magic pencil: 14K gold ringtop, 6.3 cm long closed, 12 cm extended, fully marked, initials "G. R. U." engraved on shaft, uses 1.8 mm lead, mechanism propels and retracts. Total weight 17.04g, 14K gold components weigh about 7g.
DATE: c. 1905 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $385
11957: Fairchild (?) magic pencil: unmarked gold filled ringtop of good size, 6.3 cm long closed, 12 cm extended, black lacquered bands and fluted center for a sculptural effect, attached badge for Delta Omega Sigma in low carat rose gold; uses standard 1.1 mm lead, mechanically perfect noting hairline crack in front cap (see detail).
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: fine* • $125
15833: Fisher dip pen: unmarked gold filled holder with removable wooden taper, 14.7 cm long excluding nib; unusual imprint of two crossed quills and letters standing for "Paragon Gold Quill-Pens", trademarked on Nov 11, 1873.
DATE: c. 1875 • CONDITION: VG • NIB: extra-fine flex • $225
16399: Foley magic pencil: gold filled ringtop, special commemorative for the United States' 1876 Centennial, 5.25 cm long closed, 10.1 cm extended, made to use 1.5 mm lead, can be used with more readily available 1.4 mm lead.
DATE: 1876 • CONDITION: G-VG • $150
13675: Gorham dip pen: sterling silver, 15.25 cm long, fully marked, model number 140, beautiful floral repoussé work; initials on nib holder, minor roughness to front, some waviness to taper; ex-Tefft collection.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: VG-fine • $200
13672: Gorham dip pen: sterling silver, 15.2 cm long, fully marked, model number 140, beautiful floral repoussé work; bumps to nib holder, overall surface roughness from chemical dip cleaning; ex-Tefft collection.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: VG • $165
15885: Gorham dip pen: sterling silver, unusual variant twist pattern, 16 cm long excluding gold plated steel nib, fully marked including model number 17, scattered light marks, fine overall appearance, holds nibs securely despite small stress cracks to underpiece of holder (see detail).
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: VG* • $275
12588: Gorham dip pen: sterling silver, fully marked, 16 cm long excluding plated nib, bold twist pattern, engraved initials, incipient stress cracks at hinge points on underside of holder, but no dings.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: VG* • $225
15790: Gorham dip pen: large with bold "pineapple" pattern, 16.1 cm long excluding plated nib; fully and strongly marked, unusual form, scattered shallow nicks around gripping area.
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: VG • $295
16497: Gorham dip pen: sterling silver, 15.8 cm long excluding brass nib, bold and distinctive twist pattern, fully marked.
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: fine • $250
16118: H. M. Smith dip pen: sterling silver twist pattern holder marked only "STERLING" (likely Mabie Todd manufacture), 18 cm long including #3 ventless gold nib.
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: extra-fine flex • $265
13460: Heath dip pen: sterling silver, 15.75 cm long excluding plated nib, fully marked, relief work is an interesting variant of the Waterman "Puritan" or "Patch", with larger patches of scrollwork and the areas separating those patches narrower and with a hand-hammered surface; crisp and details not softened by polishing, one nip towards end of taper (see details).
DATE: c. 1905 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $265
13928: Hicks magic pencil: rare oversize ringtop, 8.7 cm long closed, 15.3 cm extended, uses 2.5 mm lead, advances and retracts; no maker's marks but of distinctive construction, scattered pinprick dings, one larger bump and test mark on end (see details), mechanism works solidly and smoothly.
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: VG • $245
14131: Hicks magic pencil: large sterling silver ringtop, hexagonal body, 7.8 cm long closed, 13.7 cm extended, uses 1.5 mm "VS" lead; acorn mark on front ferrule, scattered dings to periphery of end knob.
DATE: c. 1910 • CONDITION: fine • $205
13081: Hicks magic pencil: large smooth gold filled ringtop, 7.9 cm long closed, 14.4 cm extended, uses 2.5 mm lead, extends and retracts; interesting and elegant 1915-dated presentation inscription, maker's mark and "10K GOLD PLATE" imprint. Some small marks and dings to the end of the extending shaft, and to the ends of the barrel.
DATE: c. 1914 • CONDITION: fine • $195
16756: James Fenton dip pen: sterling silver, 17.4 cm long excluding nib, square barrel with elegant hand-engraved decoration, full Birmingham hallmarks; clean condition, only smallest marks to ends; plated "J" nib included.
DATE: c. 1910 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $95
15874: John Holland dip pen: gold filled holder, fully marked, extending ebonized wood taper, 14.5 cm long overall open, 7.2 cm closed, #5 Holland ventless gold nib writes like a high-flexibility steel nib.
DATE: c. 1875 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: extra-fine flex • $275
15734: John Sheldon dip pen and pencil compendium in box: scarce and desirable Birmingham-made combination dip pen, pencil, coin gauge, toothpick, wax seal, and letter scale (British weights and rates, ounces and pence), 10.3 cm long closed, nickel silver, clean condition noting "SHELDON" imprint nearly polished away, though February 1842 patent date stamp strong and clear.
DATE: c. 1845 • CONDITION: fine • $600
14238: Leech Brothers porte crayon: short sterling silver ringtop, coarse barleycorn pattern, 5.6 cm long, Birmingham hallmarks.
DATE: 1888-89 • CONDITION: fine • $65
15841: Mabie Todd dip pen and pencil set: sterling silver and gold filled two-tone twist pattern with pearl taper, 11.7 cm long excluding #4 Mabie Todd ventless gold nib; matching desk pencil accepts standard 2.0 mm lead though originally designed for .076".
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: fine flex • $425
13449: Mabie Todd desk pencil: sterling silver, pearl taper, 14.6 cm long, uses 1.5 mm "VS" lead.
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: VG-fine • $120
15793: Mabie Todd (?) dip pen: sterling silver, 16.1 cm long excluding plated nib, scrolling deep fluted twist relief pattern, excellent quality, marked only "STERLING" but in same distinctive serif typeface used by Mabie Todd.
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: fine • $250
14960: Miller Brothers scraper: 12.4 cm long eraser knife, bone handle has crack but is functionally sound; American-made, in Meriden, Connecticut.
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: G* • $60
15951: Mordan pencil: early sterling silver slide-action, 11.3 cm long extended, 9 cm retracted, fluted pattern, hexagonal crown with carnelian seal stone; early markings: "S. MORDAN & CO. MAKERS & PATENTEES", "M" marked nozzle uses 1.0 mm lead. Worn but sound, light marks, fine appearance, refined design.
DATE: c. 1842 • CONDITION: VG • $265
16262: Mordan pencil: sterling silver ringtop with porcupine quill barrel, 6.6 cm long closed, 8.8 cm with nozzle extended; nozzle marked "VS" at base but uses standard 2 mm thick lead, tip has a crack but still fully functional.
DATE: c. 1870 • CONDITION: VG* • $120
15266: Mordan novelty pencil: silver figural magic pencil, using a genuine early 18th-century Dutch needle case; 9.2 cm long closed, 13.1 cm long extended, uses 1.5 mm "VS" lead. Mechanism in good working order, tiny and almost invisible stress line at very mouth of nozzle, needle case shows independent level of wear including minor dings and a repaired crack (see details).
DATE: c. 1870 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: * • $425
14376: Mordan retracting dip pen and pencil combination: reeded solid gold, 9.1 cm long retracted, pencil nozzle uses "VS' lead; weight is 12.5 grams.
DATE: c. 1880 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $395
15605: Mordan three-color pencil: large sterling silver twist-pattern ringtop, 7.15 cm long closed, 9.4 cm extended. Most unusually, the maker's mark is placed under the red transparent enamel of one of the color-coded sliders. Nozzles marked "W", take 2.0 mm lead. One small ding towards the front of the barrel (see detail).
DATE: c. 1880 • CONDITION: fine • $450
15603: Mordan three-color pencil: unusually large sterling silver ringtop, 10.2 cm long retracted, 11.9 cm extended, some minor bruises to colored enamel on sliders, nozzles marked "W", use 2.0 mm lead. Only blue nozzle propels lead properly, other two need attention to internal mechanisms. Overall condition otherwise fine or better.
DATE: c. 1880 • CONDITION: VG* • $465
15263: Mordan desk pencil: sterling silver, cable twist pattern, 15.4 cm long, fully marked, a couple of pinhead bumps at the end; uses 1.5 mm "VS" lead.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: fine • $245
15939: Mordan Ejector dip pen: sterling silver, barleycorn pattern with smooth forepart, purple cabochon finial; 15.25 cm long excluding nib, gripping section is pulled forward to eject the nib without soiling the hands. Original gold plating mostly worn away, French import hallmark near end. An unusual form, could easily be replated if desired.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: VG-fine • $465
14237: Mordan porte crayon: long sterling silver ringtop, coarse barleycorn pattern, 9.6 cm long.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $150
15791: Mordan dip pen and pencil set in box: sterling silver, cable twist pattern with smooth baluster finial tapers, pen is 18 cm long, takes standard nibs, pencil is 19 cm long, uses 1.5 mm VS lead. Both pieces fully marked, pen holder has additional fine twisted wire ornamentation. Box marked with retailer name of Howell and James of London.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: exc • $595
16244: Mordan magic pencil: oversize twist pattern ringtop, sheath suspension style, 7.5 cm long closed, pencil extended 11.9 cm long, uses "VS" 1.5 mm lead. Massive construction, pencil shaft end has been repaired, mostly obliterating the maker's mark and leaving the end knob off center (see details).
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: VG* • $205
14418: Mordan pencil: sterling silver, 9 cm long retracted, large reeded body, plain trim, bloodstone seal, fully marked with London hallmarks for 1894-95; nozzle is for "VS" lead, has tool marks and dents, propelling mechanism not functioning.
DATE: 1894-95 • CONDITION: VG* • $95
16222: Mordan combination dip pen and pencil: solid gold extending ringtop, not tested but appears to be 15K; fully marked, 5.75 cm long closed, 11.4 cm extended excluding brass nib. Weighs 20.5 grams, only light marks to exterior.
DATE: c. 1898 • CONDITION: fine • $850
14416: Mordan pencil: sterling silver, 9.2 cm long retracted, reeded barrel, unusually large and hefty (just under 29 g) and crisply preserved, proportionately large nozzle uses "VS" 1.5 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1898 • CONDITION: exc • $265
14233: Mordan porte crayon: sterling silver ringtop, bold cable twist pattern, 8.3 cm long, fully marked, London hallmarks.
DATE: 1901-02 • CONDITION: VG-fine • $120
12105: Mordan Ejector dip pen set in box: patent dip pen in solid 9K rose gold, 15.3 cm long, ferrule body slides forward to eject a used nib without soiling the fingers; matching pencil uses 1.5mm "VS" lead, both engraved with monograms, but oddly the pencil bears "JRB" and the pen, "JEB". Box will not close fully, latch needs attention.
DATE: c. 1903 • CONDITION: exc • $575
14234: Mordan porte crayon: smooth 9K solid gold ringtop, 5.8 cm long, full London hallmarks, weighs 9.1 grams.
DATE: 1908-09 • CONDITION: fine • $250
14235: Mordan porte crayon: 9K solid gold fluted ringtop, 8.4 cm long, full London hallmarks, weighs 12 grams.
DATE: 1918-19 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $325
15948: Mordan (?) pencil: sterling silver, hexagonal barrel, elegant acanthus trim, 10.5 cm long extended, 9.1 cm retracted; yellow faceted seal is probably glass, chip to rim. Scattered shallow dings, even wear, slender and graceful, "H" marked nozzle uses 1.0 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1860 • CONDITION: VG • $165
14858: Mordan (?) pencil bracelet: sterling silver, pencil is 4.2 cm long retracted, twist-action to extend nozzle, uses 1 mm lead, bracelet is 6.1 cm across. Unmarked, but very similar Mordan-marked examples are known.
DATE: c. 1900 • CONDITION: VG-fine • $450
14771: Mycock penner: classic Sheffield brass writing compendium, 11.1 cm high, engraved with initials "R E"; some chips to mouth of ceramic inkwell insert, brass has old repair to split on base. This design was produced unchanged for decades, through the 18th century up into the beginning of the 19th, with examples in use in the Americas in the Revolutionary War era.
DATE: c. 1800 • CONDITION: G • $465
16496: Østrem dip pen in box: large and of high quality, 17.8 cm long excluding steel nib, Norwegian hallmarks for 830 fine silver, maker mark of Hans Christian Østrem; one side end of box missing.
DATE: c. 1900 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $160
15846: Parkin & Marshall quill knife: classic English design, 17.3 cm long with wooden handle, impressed with the mark of Her Majesty's Stationery Office and also bearing scratched marks added by past users; blade is sound and sharp, part of original molded cardboard case included.
DATE: c. 1860 • CONDITION: VG • $120
16216: Pearce dip pen: gold filled holder marked "SEAMLESS B.G.", removable wooden taper with baluster finial, 14.3 cm long overall including #1 ventless gold nib.
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: fine semiflex • $95
16641: Ripley & Gowan pencil and pocket knife compendium: gold filled, 6.6 cm long, with two knife blades, pencil nozzle extends when end knob is turned, uses 1.4 mm lead; excellent quality, similar to items retailed by Tiffany, Edward Todd, and others.
DATE: c. 1920 • CONDITION: fine • $120
15873: Tiffany retracting dip pen and pencil combination: large gold filled holder, marked only with patent date of Feb 19, 1867 for US62227, assigned to Hicks, 8.4 cm long closed, 13.8 cm extended excluding #6 ventless gold Tiffany-marked nib. Taper is pulled to extend, twisted to extend pencil nozzle, uses 1.5 mm lead. The Hicks-Tiffany connection was long, continuing well into the 1900s.
DATE: c. 1875 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: fine flex • $600
15792: Tiffany dip pen: beautiful sterling silver holder, 16.7 cm long excluding nib, with finely-chased floral repousse decoration with acanthus-bordered rings; fully marked, top-quality work, not to be confused with run-of-the-mill Tiffany-marked pens made by lesser subcontractors. Nib is gold, an excellent Edward Todd #4 with great flexibility.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: extra-fine flex • $1100
14405: Tiffany magic pencil: large sterling silver ringtop, hexagonal body, 7.8 cm long closed, 13.7 cm extended, uses 1.5 mm "VS" lead, made by Hicks for Tiffany, and nearly identical to our item 14131. Presentation inscription from Commonwealth Insurance Company with dates of 1886 and 1911. Test mark on shaft, dings to nozzle.
DATE: c. 1910 • CONDITION: VG* • $265
16573: Tiffany/Hicks desk pencil: sterling silver, 18.3 cm long, fully marked including Hicks' acorn, uses standard 2 mm lead, propels and retracts; jeweler's inventory mark next to main Tiffany imprint (see detail).
DATE: c. 1900 • CONDITION: fine • $450
12327: Unger Brothers dip pen: sterling silver, Art Nouveau grotesque mask design in high relief, 16.2 cm long excluding nib; highly desirable model from a premier American maker, fully marked, ferrule heavily dinged with split on one side (see details), but still fully functional; listed as model #7744 in Unger Brothers' catalog of 1904.
DATE: c. 1904 • CONDITION: G-VG* • $985
15748: Unger Brothers dip pen: sterling silver "Love's Dream" design in high relief, 16.7 cm long excluding brass nib; highly desirable model from a premier American maker. Shallow dents on ends, fully marked.
DATE: c. 1904 • CONDITION: G-VG • $985
16280: Van Cort reproduction of Thomas Jefferson's fountain pen: heavy (38 g) solid sterling silver, 12.1 cm long, based upon the so-called Bion style reservoir pen made for Jefferson in 1824 by William Cowan, a watchmaker in Richmond, Virginia (references here); this reproduction made in limited numbers, authorized by Monticello, long since sold out. Plated nib, could be replaced with an older dip nib or quill slip for better historical effect. There is no real feed system, so best considered a dip pen rather than a modern fountain pen (the pen was described by the Jefferson Foundation as a dip pen). Original pens of this type are extremely rare and sell for thousands of dollars.
DATE: c. 1997 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: medium • $250
