Graphite was discovered and came into widespread use for writing following the discovery of a large deposit in Borrowdale, England in 1564. It made a darker line than lead, but was soft and brittle, and required a holder.

The graphite sticks were firstly wrapped in string, but later the graphite was inserted into hollowed wooden sticks the resultant pencil being similar to those in use today.

Britain soon lost its monopoly on production of wooden pencils and they were mass-produced in Germany from the 15th century. In the mid 16th century a number of German pencil manucturers were established whose trade names are still in use today, including Faber-Castell, Steadtler and Lyra.

In 1822, Sampson Mordan (1770 - 1843) with his partner, John Hawkins patented a "metal pencil with an internal mechanism for propelling the graphite 'lead' shaft forward during use", now known as the propelling pencil.

This meant more...

29 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

A vintage Fenton Heather & Pring Pty Ltd, cardboard box makers…

Vintage Fenton Heather Xylonite Propelling Pencil

A vintage Fenton Heather & Pring Pty Ltd, cardboard box makers & Printers Xylonite propelling pencil, length 12 cm

A carved agate & onyx propelling pencil, marked foreign, length…

Foreign Carved Agate & Onyx Propelling Pencil - 9cm

A carved agate & onyx propelling pencil, marked foreign, length 9 cm

Two various vintage pens and a pencil including Conklin &…

Vintage Pen & Pencil Set: Conklin & Conway Stewart

Two various vintage pens and a pencil including Conklin & Conway Stewart

Two Parker pencils, boxed.

Boxed Parker Pencils

Two Parker pencils, boxed.

Seven various vintage pens and pencils including Eversharp and…

Vintage Eversharp and Dupont Pens and Pencils Set

Seven various vintage pens and pencils including Eversharp and Dupoint

15ct propelling pencil, inset hardstone seal to the top (faults)

Hardstone Seal Propelling Pencil (Faults)

15ct propelling pencil, inset hardstone seal to the top (faults)

A Navy and ivory Bakelite propelling pencil, length 7 cm

Navy and Ivory Bakelite Propelling Pencil - 7 cm

A Navy and ivory Bakelite propelling pencil, length 7 cm

Two miniature telescopic pencils with an amethyst and garnet…

Miniature Telescopic Pencils with Gemstone Seals

Two miniature telescopic pencils with an amethyst and garnet seal top, length 4 cm and 5 cm

Waterman propelling pencil, boxed

Boxed Waterman Propelling Pencil

Waterman propelling pencil, boxed

Two Victorian fancy propelling pencils, with small seal and…

Victorian Propelling Pencils with Seal and Watch Key

Two Victorian fancy propelling pencils, with small seal and seal/pocket watch key

A miniature seal top telescopic pencil, amethyst inset, 4 cm…

Miniature Amethyst Seal Top Telescopic Pencil (4cm)

A miniature seal top telescopic pencil, amethyst inset, 4 cm long

A novelty telescopic pencil in the form of a ship's bell, 3.5…

Telescopic Ship Bell Pencil - Novelty Stationery Item

A novelty telescopic pencil in the form of a ship's bell, 3.5 cm long

A novelty propelling pencil in the form of a wine bottle, 7.5…

Wine Bottle Propelling Pencil - Novelty Stationery

A novelty propelling pencil in the form of a wine bottle, 7.5 cm long

A novelty pencil with cover, in the style of a dumbbell, 5 cm…

Dumbbell Pencil with Cover: Compact and Fun Writing Tool

A novelty pencil with cover, in the style of a dumbbell, 5 cm long

An unusual twin side by side dual telescopic pencil, 9 cm long

Dual Telescopic Pencil: Unusual Twin Design, 9cm Long

An unusual twin side by side dual telescopic pencil, 9 cm long

A telescopic pencil, bone body, of plain circular form, 9 cm…

Telescopic Bone Pencil: Compact and Sleek

A telescopic pencil, bone body, of plain circular form, 9 cm long

All 9ct engraved propelling pencil with dip-pen slide and knife

Engraved 9ct Propelling Pencil with Dip-Pen and Knife

All 9ct engraved propelling pencil with dip-pen slide and knife

A vintage wooden Felix the cat figure & a Mini Mouse pencil…

Vintage Felix & Mini Mouse Pencil Case Set

A vintage wooden Felix the cat figure & a Mini Mouse pencil cylinder, sponsored by Commonwealth Bank, includes contents of pencil case and catalogue of Reclaiming Felix the cat state library of NSW, height 21 cm

8ct German propelling pencil

German Propelling Pencil - 8ct

8ct German propelling pencil

Vintage Cross writing set, comprising of pencil and pen

Retro Writing Set: Pencil and Pen Combo

Vintage Cross writing set, comprising of pencil and pen

A rolled-gold propelling pencil with bloodstone seal.

Bloodstone-sealed Rolled-Gold Propelling Pencil

A rolled-gold propelling pencil with bloodstone seal.

Victorian fob propelling pencil with blue enamel, approx 3.5 cm…

Blue Enamel Victorian Fob Propelling Pencil

Victorian fob propelling pencil with blue enamel, approx 3.5 cm (closed) including bale

Wooden pencil box 1920

Vintage Wooden Pencil Box from 1920

Wooden pencil box 1920

Vintage Conklin bakelite pencil

Retro Conklin Bakelite Pencil

Vintage Conklin bakelite pencil

Two vintage propelling pencils, 'Eversharp USA' & 'Life long'

Vintage Propelling Pencils: Eversharp USA & Life Long

Two vintage propelling pencils, 'Eversharp USA' & 'Life long'

Victorian retractable pencil,

Victorian Retractable Pencil

Victorian retractable pencil,

Parker Duofold Senior propelling pencil. Orange barrel

Orange Parker Duofold Senior Pencil

Parker Duofold Senior propelling pencil. Orange barrel

Unusual key shape propelling pencil

Unique Key-Shaped Propelling Pencil

Unusual key shape propelling pencil

A Victorian gold-cased pencil, engraved and with bloodstone…

Victorian Bloodstone Pencil with Gold Casing and Engraving

A Victorian gold-cased pencil, engraved and with bloodstone end-stone