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...

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Two vintage gold filled pencils (2) by Wahl Eversharp, Chicago

Vintage Wahl Eversharp Gold Filled Pencils (Set of 2)

Two vintage gold filled pencils (2) by Wahl Eversharp, Chicago

An enamel miniature pencil, enhanced in gold. Length 3 cm.

Gold-Enhanced Enamel Miniature Pencil (or just "Gold-Enhanced Mini Pencil")

An enamel miniature pencil, enhanced in gold. Length 3 cm.

A gold pencil, 9ct yellow gold, English hallmarks, presented as…

English Hallmarked 9ct Gold Twist Pencil

A gold pencil, 9ct yellow gold, English hallmarks, presented as an early 20th century twist mechanism pencil, the body of smooth polished finish with flared end.

Cased Victorian gold plated propelling pencil set with diamonds…

Victorian Diamond and Moonstone Pencil Set

Cased Victorian gold plated propelling pencil set with diamonds and moonstone, marked SA

Edwardian 9ct rose gold drop action Retracting pencil holder.…

Monogrammed Edwardian Rose Gold Retracting Pencil Holder

Edwardian 9ct rose gold drop action Retracting pencil holder. Monogrammed. Wt. 14.1g

Two gold lined propelling toothpick holders, ridged detail,…

Gold-lined toothpick holders with ridged detail (7cm)

Two gold lined propelling toothpick holders, ridged detail, length 7 cm

An Edwardian 9ct gold propelling pencil; Birmingham 1905. Wt.…

Edwardian Gold Propelling Pencil, Birmingham 1905, 13.9g

An Edwardian 9ct gold propelling pencil; Birmingham 1905. Wt. 13.9g. Af.

9ct yellow gold Sampson Mordan pencil. Metal mechanism. Seal to…

Sampson Mordan 9ct Gold Pencil with Seal

9ct yellow gold Sampson Mordan pencil. Metal mechanism. Seal to top.

An 18ct gold (tested) mechanical pencil, geometric pattern to…

18ct Gold Geometric Pattern Mechanical Pencil, 7gms

An 18ct gold (tested) mechanical pencil, geometric pattern to body, 6 cm long, total weight 7gms

A 14ct solid gold retractable pencil by Wahl Eversharp

Wahl Eversharp 14ct Solid Gold Retractable Pencil

A 14ct solid gold retractable pencil by Wahl Eversharp

9ct gold propelling pencil scroll engraved

Engraved 9ct Gold Propelling Pencil

9ct gold propelling pencil scroll engraved

A 9ct gold Victorian retractable pencil with a bloodstone…

Victorian Gold Pencil with Bloodstone Terminal

A 9ct gold Victorian retractable pencil with a bloodstone terminal.

An S Mordan & Co 9ct gold (hallmarked) press end pencil, 7 cm…

9ct Gold Press End Pencil by S Mordan & Co

An S Mordan & Co 9ct gold (hallmarked) press end pencil, 7 cm long, total weight 19gms

An Eversharp gold plated pencil, circa 1920s, model 3061C, the…

Eversharp Gold Plated Pencil with Original Box and Paperwork

An Eversharp gold plated pencil, circa 1920s, model 3061C, the engine turned ring top pencil marked Eversharp, gold filled and made in England, in the original box with paperwork. Length 13.5 cm

Gold cased propelling pencil, the cylindrical case with ornate…

Ornate Gold Propelling Pencil in Box

Gold cased propelling pencil, the cylindrical case with ornate decoration, set in box 'A. Samuel Goldsmith Louth'

Antique 14 carat gold pull pencil 12 cm approx.

Antique 14ct Gold Pull Pencil - 12cm Length

Antique 14 carat gold pull pencil 12 cm approx.

9ct gold Mordan mechanical pencil, hallmarked London

London Hallmarked 9ct Gold Mordan Mechanical Pencil

9ct gold Mordan mechanical pencil, hallmarked London

A Sampson Mordan & Co, gold lined amethyst seal top propelling…

Gold-lined amethyst seal top propelling pencil by Sampson Mordan

A Sampson Mordan & Co, gold lined amethyst seal top propelling pencil, length 8.5 cm

Antique yellow gold & a silver propelling pencils marked Wahl…

Antique Gold and Silver Propelling Pencils by Wahl Eversharp

Antique yellow gold & a silver propelling pencils marked Wahl Evershart 18k solid gold, Wahl Evershart sterling silver. Approx length 10 cm each, weight of gold item 19 total includes parts etc. 2

A Sampson Mordan & Co Everpoint, 9ct yellow gold propelling…

Sampson Mordan 9ct Gold Propelling Pencil, London 1917

A Sampson Mordan & Co Everpoint, 9ct yellow gold propelling pencil, London, 1917, engraved J J Jatt, length 9.5 cm

Vintage 14k gold Wahl eversharp pencil engraved souvenir of the…

State Theatre Sydney Souvenir Pencil - Vintage 14k Gold

Vintage 14k gold Wahl eversharp pencil engraved souvenir of the opening of the state theatre Sydney, 7.6.29, 21grams approx

A 14ct gold cased pencil, finely embossed, length 60 mm.

Embossed 14ct Gold Pencil - 60mm Length

A 14ct gold cased pencil, finely embossed, length 60 mm.

A Victorian 9ct rose gold pen/propelling pencil, profusely…

Engraved Rose Gold Pen/Pencil with Bloodstone Shield

A Victorian 9ct rose gold pen/propelling pencil, profusely engraved exterior and bloodstone shield to the end.

Pencil: gold Art Nouveau style pencil. Boxed.

Golden Art Nouveau Pencil Set in Box

Pencil: gold Art Nouveau style pencil. Boxed.

An antique 9ct gold propelling pencil, hexagonal engraved case…

An antique 9ct gold propelling pencil, hexagonal engraved case with sliding action, top set with a layered agate, extended length 10.5 cm, wt. 9.38g.

Sampson Mordan gold ' Everpoint' pencil mechanical pencil,…

Sampson Mordan 9ct Gold Mechanical Pencil, 1939

Sampson Mordan gold ' Everpoint' pencil mechanical pencil, marked with maker's name, and 9 carat gold stamped, monogrammed and dated 1939,weight 20grams, total.

Propelling pencil in 9ct yellow gold with shield shaped blood…

Gold Pencil with Blood Stone Seal and Floral Engraving

Propelling pencil in 9ct yellow gold with shield shaped blood stone seal and floral engraved body circa late 19th century.

A Victorian 9ct. gold propelling pencil, the exterior profusely…

Victorian 9ct. Gold Engraved Propelling Pencil with Red Crystal

A Victorian 9ct. gold propelling pencil, the exterior profusely engraved, red glass crystal to the end, unmarked but tests as 9ct.

Antique 9ct gold (tested) propelling pencil, marked 1st…

1883 Antique Repousse Gold Propelling Pencil

Antique 9ct gold (tested) propelling pencil, marked 1st December 1883, with intricate repousse decoration

American 14ct gold propelling pencil, marked Fairchild

Fairchild 14ct Gold Propelling Pencil

American 14ct gold propelling pencil, marked Fairchild

An uncommon c.1900 15ct. Yellow gold watch key/propelling…

Multi-functional 15ct. gold watch key/propelling pencil/T-bar

An uncommon c.1900 15ct. Yellow gold watch key/propelling pencil/T-bar, the t-bar with watch key sliding to one end, propelling pencil to the other, operated from the central toggle. Length 5.2 cm, with maker's stamp 'S. Mordan & Co'.

Two antique propelling pencils, the enameled pencils depicting…

Antique Enameled Propelling Pencils by Leroy Fairchild

Two antique propelling pencils, the enameled pencils depicting a pastoral scene and racing horse, both gold lined, by Leroy Fairchild.

An antique 18ct gold propelling pencil, hexagonal barrel with…

Antique Engraved Gold Pencil with Bloodstone Top

An antique 18ct gold propelling pencil, hexagonal barrel with fine scroll engraving, top set with a bloodstone, length 62 mm, slide missing screw, wt. 6.31g.

Rare 9ct gold propelling tooth pick

Rare 9ct Gold Propelling Toothpick

Rare 9ct gold propelling tooth pick

A Victorian 9ct. gold propelling pencil, the exterior profusely…

Victorian 9ct. Gold Propelling Pencil with Citrine Seal

A Victorian 9ct. gold propelling pencil, the exterior profusely engraved with a citrine seal to the end, unmarked but tests as 9ct.

An 18ct yellow gold telescopic pencil with a turquoise and…

Turquoise and Diamond Gold Pencil

An 18ct yellow gold telescopic pencil with a turquoise and diamond finial, a heart shaped turquoise, 4 mm with eighteen rose cut diamonds, 0.25ct, engraved 'Lady Heavenly', length 5 cm Wt 14.3 grams

A Bakers, Perm-Point, 9ct yellow gold propelling pencil,…

Bakers 9ct Gold Propelling Pencil, Birmingham 1929

A Bakers, Perm-Point, 9ct yellow gold propelling pencil, Birmingham, 1929, engraved B.D 1929, length 10.5 cm

A Sampson Mordan & Co Everpoint, 9ct yellow gold propelling…

Sampson Mordan 9ct Gold Propelling Pencil, London 1935

A Sampson Mordan & Co Everpoint, 9ct yellow gold propelling pencil, London, 1935, patent 179005, length 9.5 cm

A Sampson Mordan & Co, 9ct yellow gold pencil holder with…

Turquoise Buttoned Gold Pencil Holder by Sampson Mordan & Co

A Sampson Mordan & Co, 9ct yellow gold pencil holder with turquoise push button, London, 1904, length 7.5 cm

A 9ct gold pencil holder, machined decoration, suspension ring,…

1924 Birmingham Machined Gold Pencil Holder with Suspension Ring

A 9ct gold pencil holder, machined decoration, suspension ring, Birmingham 1924, 11.6gm.

A Bakers, Perm-Point, 9ct yellow gold propelling pencil,…

1947 Birmingham Gold Propelling Pencil by Bakers

A Bakers, Perm-Point, 9ct yellow gold propelling pencil, Birmingham, 1947, length 13 cm

10ct gold and garnet seal top propelling pencil, unmarked…

10ct gold and garnet seal top propelling pencil, unmarked (tested as 10ct), of hexagonal form, set with garnet seal to top, above acanthus motifs in relief, with incised acanthus pattern to body, total weight 12gm (weighted), length 9 cm-11 cm

An 18ct gold (tested) telescopic pencil cover, reeded body, 7.5…

18ct Gold Telescopic Pencil Cover, Reeded Body - 19.3g

An 18ct gold (tested) telescopic pencil cover, reeded body, 7.5 cm long, total weight 19.3gms

Extending pencil in 15ct yellow gold and in working condition…

Gold Extending Pencil with Engraved Initials

Extending pencil in 15ct yellow gold and in working condition still containing graphite, late 19th early 20th century example is engraved with the initials Jd and stamped 15ct. Weight 15 grams.

A gold retractable pencil by S. Mordan & Co makers, diamond…

Gold Retractable Pencil by S. Mordan & Co

A gold retractable pencil by S. Mordan & Co makers, diamond pattern with retracting slide mechanism with makers stamp to end set with a blood stone, length 10.5 cm, sleeve tests 16ct, with gold plated internal operating section, wt. 11.35g.

A gold 'Asprey' pendant propelling pencil, 9ct gold, stamped…

Asprey 9ct Gold Pendant Propelling Pencil, London 1908

A gold 'Asprey' pendant propelling pencil, 9ct gold, stamped 'Asprey' & Hallmarked London 1908. Length 64 mm. Weight 20gm.

An antique writing pencil, yellow gold cased, fitted to…

Antique Writing Pencil with Amethyst Seal in Original Box

An antique writing pencil, yellow gold cased, fitted to original box, of cylindrical form with ribbed outer case, flared to one end with set amethyst seal, slide mechanism of foliate design, manufactured by brush & Macdonnell

Two gold propelling pencils, one with a hardstone set swivel…

S. Mordan & Co. Gold Propelling Pencils with Hardstone Swivel

Two gold propelling pencils, one with a hardstone set swivel end. Both signed 'S. Mordan & Co.'.

A Sampson Mordan & Co Everpoint, 15ct yellow gold propelling…

Sampson Mordan & Co Everpoint 15ct Gold Pencil

A Sampson Mordan & Co Everpoint, 15ct yellow gold propelling pencil, London, 1907, retailed by Hardy Brothers, length 7.5 cm

An antique slide gold pencil. 9ct yellow gold, presented as a…

Antique 9ct Gold Telescopic Slide Pencil

An antique slide gold pencil. 9ct yellow gold, presented as a tubular shaped case of stippled central finish, rounded polished ends with central bail fitted, concealing a telescopic function to reveal and pencil. Length not extended: 4.7 cm

An antique 15ct gold retractable pencil, adorned with polished…

An antique 15ct gold retractable pencil, adorned with polished turquoise and amethyst seal top, 19th century, 5 cm long

A 9ct yellow gold aide memoire with pencil, hinge top,…

Pam's Gold Memoire with Hinged Top and Pencil

A 9ct yellow gold aide memoire with pencil, hinge top, inscribed 'Pam' Wt 35 grams

A Johnson, Mathey & Co, Yard-O-Led, 9ct yellow gold propelling…

Yard-O-Led 9ct Gold Propelling Pencil, London 1947

A Johnson, Mathey & Co, Yard-O-Led, 9ct yellow gold propelling pencil, London, 1947, length 11.5 cm

An 18ct yellow gold telescopic pencil with a turquoise &…

Turquoise and Diamond Gold Pencil

An 18ct yellow gold telescopic pencil with a turquoise & diamond finial, a heart shaped turquoise, 4 mm with eighteen rose cut diamonds, 0.25ct, engraved 'Lady Heavenly', length 5 cm Wt 14.3 grams

A Victorian 9 carat rose gold propelling pencil, later 19th…

Victorian Rose Gold Propelling Pencil with Foliate Designs

A Victorian 9 carat rose gold propelling pencil, later 19th century, with maker's mark E.B. The hexagonal shaped pencil with chased foliate designs and a turban shaped finial with a stone seal; hallmarked 9C to shaft. Length 12.5 cm

'Mordan' gold cased Retracting pen and pencil. 15ct cased…

Mordan 15ct Gold Retractable Pen and Pencil Combo

'Mordan' gold cased Retracting pen and pencil. 15ct cased combination. Width 9.8g, approx

Jeko, gold propelling pencil, c. 1951, 9ct light rose gold…

Jeko Gold Propelling Pencil and Caran d'Ache Ballpoint Set

Jeko, gold propelling pencil, c. 1951, 9ct light rose gold engine turned body with clip, stamped 'Jeko British made 9.375 9ct gold Jm&Co' and British assay marks, with box, together with a gold plated Caran d'Ache Ecridor ballpoint pen with hexagonal body…

Sampson & Mordan 18 carat gold retractable pencil with elegant…

Sampson & Mordan Gold Pencil with Engraving & Monogram

Sampson & Mordan 18 carat gold retractable pencil with elegant curlicue engraving & decorative finial, engraved S. Mordan & Co makers. & 1888-1938, monogrammed J.M.B to stem & head of finial, weight 75g

A Sampson Mordan & Co 15ct yellow gold, agate seat top…

Agate and Gold Propelling Pencil by Sampson Mordan & Co

A Sampson Mordan & Co 15ct yellow gold, agate seat top propelling pencil with reversible cap, filigree detail, engraved initials to agate, length 14 cm

An early 20th century 18ct yellow gold propelling pencil, by…

Sampson Mordan & Co. 18ct Gold Propelling Pencil

An early 20th century 18ct yellow gold propelling pencil, by Sampson Mordan & Co., pull extension, plain form. 15gm.

Frank Hyams (Dunedin) gold and nephrite propelling pencil…

Gold and Nephrite Propelling Pencil Letter Opener

Frank Hyams (Dunedin) gold and nephrite propelling pencil letter opener, the gold oval section with sliding propelling pencil and curved bands bead set with facet cut rubies. The finely tapered blade with pointed end. Length 164 mm. In fitted green…

An antique gold propelling pencil, S. Mordan & Co. Birmingham.…

Antique 15ct Gold Propelling Pencil by S. Mordan & Co

An antique gold propelling pencil, S. Mordan & Co. Birmingham. 15ct yellow gold. Weight 25.51 grams. Compressed length 7 cm.

A set of Louis Vuitton colouring pencils. Features 40 wooden…

A set of Louis Vuitton colouring pencils. Features 40 wooden colouring pencils individually slotted into place, in a a coated canvas monogram roll-up case with a vachetta leather buckle. Each of the pencil's respective colours are hand-painted onto the…

A rare antique gold propelling pencil by S. Mordan & Co.,…

Antique Gold Rifle Pencil by S. Mordan & Co

A rare antique gold propelling pencil by S. Mordan & Co., modelled as a rifle, pencil slide concealed under and signed on the top of the barrel, with decorative articulated trigger, styled in 15ct gold, boxed.

Two antique gold propelling pencils, the cylindrical pencil…

Antique Gold Propelling Pencils, Fishscale & Crucifix Design

Two antique gold propelling pencils, the cylindrical pencil with fishscale design in two tone 14ct gold, signed Leroy Fairchild, together with a cylindrical pencil with crucifix in two colour 14ct gold and silver.

A 9ct gold pencil, Sampson Mordan & Co., London 1920 (2). A 9ct…

Gold Pencils from Dame Nellie Melba's Collection

A 9ct gold pencil, Sampson Mordan & Co., London 1920 (2). A 9ct gold pencil, Sampson Mordan & Co., London 1920 the plain pencil with removable lid, loop to opposite end, inscribed to the exterior Dame Nellie Melba 1925, 7 grams, 75 mm long (2). Property…