- Introduction
- Asia / Islam
- Europe & Britain
- French Origins
- Stylus-Quill-Penner
- Early Fountain Pens
- Hawkins-Mordan Patent
- Virginia Roots
- Jefferson Pen Analysis
- American Pencil Makers
- American Gold Pen Makers
- Gold Pen Advertising
- Philip Poole ‘HIS NIBS’
- Inkwells
- Inkwells & Writing Sets
- Writing Sets
- Cyphers
- French Inkwell Makers
Hawkins & Mordan Royal Patent Grant
John Isaac Hawkins & Sampson Mordan
An original of the Hawkins-Mordan 1822 Royal Patent Grant, previously part of the Poole collection. The Royal Patent Grant occurred on November 21, 1822, and the patent was published on December 20, 1822.
Hawkins & Mordan Royal Patent Grant
Hawkins and Mordan
Above is a vignette from the actual Royal Patent Grant by King George IV signed by His Royal Highness introducing John Isaac Hawkins, who would invent the iridium pointed gold pen in 1833, and Sampson Mordan (1790-1843), who had been the favorite apprentice of noted inventor and maker of the Bramah patent pen holder, Bramah locks, etc., Joseph Bramah.
The patent grant states in this section:
”Whereas John Isaac Hawkins of Pentonville Civil Engineer and Sampson Mordan of Union Street City Road Portable Pen Maker, have by their Petition, humbly represented unto us, That they have invented improvements on Pencil Holders or Port Crayons and on Pens for the Purpose of facilitating, writing and drawing by rendering the frequent Cutting or mending of the Points or Nibs unnecessary - That they are the first and true inventors thereof, and that the same have never been practiced by any other Person or Persons.”
Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel [signature]
This royal patent grant document is embellished with the tax stamp, meaning that the document has actual legal status.
Next Section with Tax Stamp
Royal Letters Patent - Fourteen Years
The patent grant states in this section:
“Have never been practised by any other person or persons whomsoever to their knowledge or belief. The petitioners therefore most humbly Pray that We will be graciously Pleased to Grant unto thee their Exors Admins & Assigns Our Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of our United Kingdom for the sole use benefit & advantage of their said Invention within hyland Wales and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed for the term of fourteen years pursuant to the statute in that case made and Provided - We being willing to give encourage…”
Tax Stamp with Early S. Mordan’s Pencil
Next Section
Invention
”and Provided - We being willing to give encouragement to all & Inventions which may be for the Public Good are graciously Pleased to condescend to the Petitioners Request; Our Will & Pleasure therefore is that you prepare a Bale for Our Royal Signature
John Isaac Hawkins &
Sampson Mordan
Invention.
Next Page
Our Great Seal
“to press Our Great Seal of Our United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland containing Our Grant into them they said John Isaac Hawkins and Sampson Mordan their Executors Advisors & Assigns of the sole use benefit & advantage of their said Invention within that Part of Great Britain called England Our Dominion of Wales and Town of Berwick upon Tweed for the term of fourteen years pursuant to the statute in that case”
Next Section
Six Calendar Months
“made and Provided - Provided that the Petitioners or one of them do within the space of six calendar months to be computed from the date of Our said intended Grant Cause a particular description of the nature of their said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed by writing under their Hands & Seal or under the Hand & Seal of one of them to be enrolled in Our High Court of Chancery otherwise Our said intended Letters Patent to be void - and you are to”
Next Section
The Warrant
insert in the said Bill all such clauses prohibitory & provisoes as are usual and necessary in Grants of the like nature and as you shall judge Requisite and for so doing this shall be your Warrant - given at Our Court at Carlton House the twenty first day of November 1822 in the Third year of Our Reign -
To Our Attorney or Solicitor General By His Majesty Command
Robert Peel
Watermark Forensics
Watermark Identification
Watermarks served as trademarks of the paper mills and differentiated each member of Royalty serving on the throne. Watermarks can be used to determine much about historic documents. Watermarks identify production mills, their location, and often dates of paper production.
“Fine white paper began to be made in this country [England] on a fairly large scale in the second half of the 18th century, when James Whatman established his famous mill at Maidstone. For a considerable time Whatman papers were made at two mills, at one in Kent and at another in Holland. The produce of one mill was distinguished by the watermark "J. Whatman, Turkey Mill"…”
Source: WATERMARKS IN PAPER IN HOLLAND ENGLAND FRANCE ETC. IN THE XVII AND XVIII CENTURIES AND THEIR INTERCONNECTION by W. A. CHURCHILL 1935
James Whatman was making paper for the Royal Crown as early as 1750., and from the Turkey Mill facility in Kent from 1760-1850.
The first watermark on the Hawkins-Mordan Patent Grant paper was found beneath the patent grant language, composed by quill in hand. The image above depicts the main page of the document highlighting the watermark, which clearly reads from the top of the image “J. Whatman” “Turkey Mill” and “1821”.
King George IV Britannia Watermark
Further validating that this is a Royal patent grant document, signed by King George IV, is the second watermark consisting of the King’s unique watermark design.
This Britannia watermark, designed for use in manufacturing paper products for the King, was only used during the reign of King George IV from 1820-1830.
Document Comparison
The depicted document memorialized King George IV’s dinner on an October day, confirming this Britannia watermark as that of King George IV.
Reverse of Folded Patent Grant
Hawkins & Mordan Royal Patent Engraving
1822 Patent Engraving (partial)
The image above depicts two different early Mordan pencils in silver, superimposed on the topmost portion of Figure 1. of the 1822 patent specification engraving.
The topmost pencil is stamped with the British assay mark “S. Mordan’s” only.
The bottom pencil is unmarked, acquired as a component of a sewing kit housed within a rosewood Etui or case inlaid with ivory string inlay, mother of pearl flowers & cartouche, and stylish engraved brass.
Patent Specification Engraving
Each Figure Accompanies a Specification
The engraving accompanying the patent specification illustrates pencil design novelties in figures 1 through 5, with thorough explanatory novelty claim language which provides details of fabrication techniques that most are not aware of. The engraving is not the patent specification, as will be learned as the specifications are detailed in comparison with each figure.
The engraving continues with figures 6 through 10, covering Pen nib construction and tipping methods, also accompanied by explanatory novelty claim language. The obvious conclusion from this group of specifications is that Mr. Hawkins was contemplating Pen nib tipping methods before composing the 1822 specification.
This analysis continues with the patent specification language accompanied by overview analysis addressing each figure.
Hawkins-Mordan 1822 Patent Specification
Patent Specification
The Hawkins-Mordan 1822 Patent Specification addresses the celebrated pencil mechanism often discussed by collectors and mentioned as the first such patent. The patent specifications mention “improvements” within, obviating most concerns of invalidity.
The Hawkins-Mordan 1822 Patent specification presented the mechanical pencil design novelty in five specifications that reveal subtle methods used to improve the function of the mechanism.
The patent specification also addressed Pen nibs and tipping methods within specifications 7 through 10, addressed in the next section below.
Use of Silk
The level of detail in specifications 1-5 provide insight in the minds of Hawkins & Mordan as they developed the fabrication techniques revealed within.
For instance, the pencil specifications include the following language that mentions use of silk friction production:
”The outer diameter of this tube is the same as the outer diameter of the nut piece: f, a long brass tube, fitting upon the nut piece, c, and short tube, e, having a pin, g, to work in the circular groove, h, of the nut piece, and allow the tube to be turned upon the nut piece without coming off; and also a pin, k, going through its side, and into the side of the short tube, e, so that when the long tube is turned around, it shall carry the short tube around with it: l, a groove, around near the middle of the nut piece, to receive a wrapping of silk or other elastic substance, for the purpose of occasioning a small degree of friction, and thus of preventing the tube, f, from turning too easily”
Pencil Patent Specification No. 1, Part 1
The accompanying engraving addresses pencil design novelties in figures 1 through 5, with thorough explanatory novelty claim language.
Notably, within the patent specification language several indicators may be present that production of the Mordan mechanical pencil was ongoing prior to the 1822 patent grant. Phrases including “we denominate” “we cut” “we form” “we usually” “we sometimes” strengthen the postulation that the pencils were in production in or before 1822.
In this vignette, the last paragraph of the topmost page image, a portion of page 219, begins with Fig. 1.
”Fig. 1, (PI. IX.) A represents one of our pencil-holders or port-crayons, as seen in a state fit for use: 3, longitudinal section through the axis of the holder and pencil: together: c, D, E, F, g, i, 1, and k, represent, respectively, the various parts of a separately. It is to be noted that the small letters refer, in all cases, to the same articles in the different parts of the drawings; and that where a part: is too minute to admit of a letter being put upon it, or so near it as to indicate clearly the place intended, a dot is made, and, in the nearest vacant place, two converging lines are drawn, pointing towards the dot; and the letter referring to the place of the dot is put between these converging lines. a, the pencil or crayon: b, a tube of gold, silver, or other metal, or metallic compound, into which the pencil or crayon is fitted so tightly as not to fall out by its own weight, but loose enough to be easily protruded at pleasure; this tube we denominate the nozzle. On one end of the nozzle is a male screw, and two milled rims, to enable the nozzle to be held firmly between the finger and thumb, in order to screw it tightly into its place: c, a tube, a little longer than the nozzle, which may be called the nut piece, having a female screw at one end to receive the male screw of the nozzle, and another female screw or nut at the other end, to receive the screw of the driver hereinafter described. The visible parts of the nut piece we usually make of gold or silver; and those parts not exposed to view, of brass. There are also, near the nozzle end of this tube or nut piece, two milled rims, by which it may be firmly held: d, the driver, made of steel, one end of which is cylindrical, fitting into and nearly filling up the nozzle. The middle part of the driver is formed into a screw, to work in the nut piece; the length of this screw part of the driver is somewhat more than the length of the cylindrical part. The other end of the driver is made semi-cylindrical, of about the same length as the screw, with a small part at the end, quite cylindrical: e, a short tube of brass, put on upon the semi-cylindrical part of the driver, having a steel pin through one side, to prevent the tube turning round upon the driver, but to allow it to slide the whole length of the semi-cylindrical part.”
Pencil Patent Specification No. 1, Part 2
“The outer diameter of this tube is the same as the outer diameter of the nut piece: f, a long brass tube, fitting upon the nut piece, c, and short tube, e, having a pin, g, to work in the circular groove, h, of the nut piece, and allow the tube to be turned upon the nut piece without coming off; and also a pin, k, going through its side, and into the side of the short tube, e, so that when the long tube is turned around, it shall carry the short tube around with it: l, a groove, around near the middle of the nut piece, to receive a wrapping of silk or other elastic sub-stance, for the purpose of occasioning a small degree of friction, and thus of preventing the tube, f, from turning too easily: m, an outer tube of gold, silver, tortoiseshell, ivory, or other substance, fastened upon the brass tube, f, to form an ornamental handle to the pencil-holder or port-crayon. The whole of these parts being put together in their respective places as described, and as seen in the section, B, and the point of the pencil or crayon being worn away close to the end of the nozzle, if the milled rims are then held in one hand, and the handle, m, turned around with the other hand, it will carry around with it the tubes, fande, and the driver, d, which, working in the screw of the nut piece, e, will be moved longitudinally, and. drive or force the pencil or crayon out of the nozzle, to whatever distance may be required for use. When it is desired to make the holder draw in the pencil or crayon, as well as drive it out, we cut a female screw in the end of the driver, and screw the pencil or crayon into it; or we form, for a short distance, the end of the driver into a hollow cylinder, having thin sides, and cut three or more longitudinal slits in the sides, so as to render them elastic, and capable of embracing the end of the pencil or crayon: n, the end of the driver, made hollow, with slits in the sides, to embrace the end of the pencil or crayon. When the pencil or crayon is worn out, and the holder requires to be re-charged, hold two of the milled rims in each hand, and unscrew the nozzle; then put a new pencil or crayon into the screw end of the nozzle, the opening of the tube at that end being made conical, to facilitate the entrance.
Before the nozzle is returned to its place, hold the two milled rims remaining attached to the handle, and turn the handle the reverse way to that which protrudes, and the driver will be drawn in ; after which, the nozzle may be returned into its place, and the pencil or crayon is ready for use.
In describing this our most favourite pencil-holder or port-crayon, we have given no dimensions, because these must ever depend upon the size and length of the pencils or crayons to be used, which may vary from a quarter of an inch, or more, to the one fiftieth of an inch, or less, in diameter, according as the artist may require a bold line, a fine line, or an extremely delicate line; and from three inches, or more, to half an inch, or less, in length. “
Pencil Specification Engraving Fig. 1
Specification No. 1 is lengthy, reflecting the importance of the depictions and the deliberation undertaken by Hawkins and Mordan.
Pencil Patent Specification No. 2
“ But we sometimes make five or more nozzles, of different dimensions, to fix into the same handle, by forming the driver as shown in fig. 2, and having a separate cylindrical piece, L, M, N, o, to put on upon the driver, to fit each of the four larger nozzles respectively.”
Specification No. 2 is remarkable for its brevity, however; the importance of the driver and various nozzle sizing helps explain the logic undertaken by Hawkins and Mordan.
Pencil Specification Engraving Fig. 2 & 3
Specification No. 2 is remarkable for its brevity, however; the importance of the driver and various nozzle sizing helps explain the logic undertaken by Hawkins and Mordan.
Pencil Patent Specification No. 3
“Fig. 3, section of a simple form of making the pencil-holder or port-crayon, in cases where the varying in length of the handle is no objection: p, the pencil or crayon: q, the nozzle, united with the nut piece; r, the driver, like the driver of fig. I, except that instead of the semi-cylindrical end, it has a short cylinder at the end of the screw, fitting into the outer tube: s, an outer tube, fitting tightly on, and pinned to the larger end of the driver, and sliding freely over the nut piece. This tube projects far enough beyond the end of the driver to form a socket for a handle of wood, ivory, or other substance, t.“
Pencil Patent Specification No. 4
“Fig. 4, section of a pencil-holder or port-crayon, differing from fig. 3 in having the male screw outside of the tube which corresponds to the nut piece, and the female screw within the outer tube, and in having the driver an equal sized cylinder throughout its length, except a short part at the handle end, larger, to fix it in the outer tube ; this arrangement is adopted, and the diameters of the tubes increased, to make room for a reserve of six pencils or crayons, ready to be pushed into the nozzle, as it may be emptied by use: p shows the appearance of the end of the tube which corresponds to the nut piece, when charged with the six pencils or crayons: u, six short thin brass tubes, of the same diameter inside as the pencils or crayons are outside; these tubes are slit on one side to make them elastic, and soldered around inside the orifice of the tube which corresponds to the nut piece of fig. 1.“
Pencil Specification Engraving Fig. 4 & 5
Fig. 4 & 5 of the pencil specification engraving support the specification language for pencil specifications 4 & 5.
Pencil Patent Specification No. 5
“Fig. 5, a holder for holding pencils or crayons, nearly as long as itself: q, another view of part of the same: R, transverse section from v to v, with end view of z: s, perspective view of the driver. This holder consists of a tube, w, having a slit nearly the whole length, and the outside of the tube cut into a screw, with a seal or cap screwed on at the end opposite to the writing end: x, the pencil or crayon: y, a short cylinder or driver, sliding against the pencil, having a stud sliding in and projecting through the slit: z, a milled nut, turning upon the screw of the tube, and pressing against the stud of the driver, to drive out the pencil or crayon at pleasure.
To charge this holder, take off the seal or cap, then the milled nut, and take out the driver; after which, put. the pencil or crayon into the tube, which is made a little conical at the cap end, then return the driver to its place, against which screw the milled nut, and put on the cap ; the whole is then ready for use.
For the sake of rendering our description less intricate, and of avoiding circumlocution, we have stated peculiar metals, metallic compounds and materials, for the various parts of our pencil-holders or port-crayons; but it is obvious that our invention is not restricted to the use of those respective metals or materials only, since, in order to suit the taste of many persons, ivory, tortoiseshell, or other substances, may be used instead of metal or the materials described, without altering the principles of our improvements.
Prelude to the Final Spark
Pen Specifications of the Patent
The Hawkins-Mordan 1822 Patent Specification addresses the celebrated pencil mechanism often discussed by collectors.
The Hawkins-Mordan 1822 Patent specification presented the mechanical pencil design often referenced as the first. The patent specification also addressed Pen nibs and tipping methods.
Hawkins and Sampson Mordan memorialized various tipping methods for pen nibs in their December 20, 1822 British patent number 4742, stating in part “The improvements on pens consist, first, in making the pens of tortoiseshell or horn, and in impressing into the nibs or wearing parts,
-when they are softened with water at nearly the boiling heat, small particles of diamond, ruby, or other very hard substances;
-secondly, in affixing to the wearing parts of tortoiseshell pens larger pieces of the above substances, and securing the same by soldering or cementing pieces of tortiseshell over them;
-thirdly, in lapping a small piece of thin sheet gold over the end of a piece of tortoiseshell and pressing the gold into it, while it is in a soft state, and afterwards forming the pen by cutting away the superfluous gold and tortoiseshell together;
-fourthly, in applying to the nibs of pens, whether made of tortoiseshell, horn, or quills, small particles of diamond, ruby, &e., and causing the same to adhere by means of any varnish or cement that is not corrodible by ink; and
-fifthly, in placing against the back of the pen two springs, or a forked spring of tortoiseshell, horn, quill, or metal to be slided to and from the nibs by a knob.
In the case of portable or fragment pens the forked spring may be fixed to the back of the holder, or made a mere prolongation of the back or upper jaw thereof.
The specification also details at least five methods for tipping and production of Pen nibs, perhaps more elaborately than any previous description of related techniques.
The Patent Specification Drawing contains figures numbered 6 through 10, focusing on those methods at length in within the specification.
Below is a discussion of each method with analysis regarding its historic use, precedence or prior art, and future impact leading up to Hawkins’ invention of Gold Pen nib tipping that was the final spark in the Writing Revolution.
Hawkins’ Prelude to the Final Spark
Once John Isaac Hawkins was onto an idea he had a tendency to follow the development of initial concepts in pursuit of a final solution, as with other inventive minds.
The Hawkins - Mordan 1822 patent is one of the most often spoken of due to its historic precedence. Though prior art may have preceded this patent with similar concepts, examination of the specifications by a Person of Skill in the Art (POSITA) who had detailed knowledge of the design and fabrication methods of any mechanical pencil extant prior to the Royal Patent Grant to determine validity of the patent specifications would have recognized the novelty of the patent specification claims. No such person is known historically, though the list of candidates may have included Early Instrument Makers Christoff Schissler (1530-1609), Jacobus & Domenicus Lusuerg (1680-1710), Nicolas Bion (1652-1723), Micheal Butterfield (1635-1724), and Chapotot the Elder (1670-1686) among others, and those to which knowledge from this illustrious group was conveyed.
Nicholas Bion, a scientific instrument maker and D'Ingénieur Du Roi or Engineer to the King of France, author of his Traité de la Construction et des Principaux Usages des Instrumens de Mathematique, Paris, 1709, opined of such knowledge and experience.
The award of the 1822 patent influenced Hawkins’ inventive genius and the language in this patent specification portends the future of Gold Pen nib tipping methods.
Pen Specification Engraving Fig. 6
“Fig. 6, exhibits different views of pens, with bits of diamond, ruby, or other hard substances, secured into the nibs, by soldering or cementing pieces of tortoiseshell over them, according to our second plan: T, represents a bit of diamond laid on each nib' of a tortoiseshell pen, either on the back or inside of the pen: u, shows the back of a pen, with pieces of tortoiseshell soldered or cemented over the bits of diamond: v, the inside of the same pen: w, profile of the same: x, section in profile: y, the inside of a pen, with pieces of tortoiseshell soldered or cemented to the inside of the nibs: z, the back of the same pen:
* profile of the same: a section in profile: ® the body of the pen: y the bits of diamond: & the tortoiseshell, cemented to the nibs, and inclosing the diamonds, except at their writing parts.”
Pen Specification Engraving Fig. 7
”Fig. 7, represents five successive stages of a pen, manufactured according to our third plan: a section, in profile, of the tortoiseshell prepared for the pen: 7 perspective view of the thin piece of gold turned up into the form of a staple: a the staple, lapped over the end, and pressed into the tortoiseshell: 1 view of the same, as seen either at the inside or at the back: t view of the pen, as it appears on both sides when finished: the gold: < the tortoiseshell.
In carrying our fourth plan into effect, we sometimes take two bits of diamond or other hard substances, formed to a proper figure, and dip them in the varnish, or melted sealing wax or cement, and immediately adjust them in their places in the inside of the nibs. And sometimes we mix a quantity of diamond or other hard substances, in grains not exceeding the two hundredth part of an inch in diameter, with about an equal quantity of varnish, sealing wax, or cement, and dip the nibs of the pens in the com-position.”
Pen Specification Engraving Fig. 8
“Fig. 8, shows the manner of placing a spring on the back of a pen, to increase or diminish the stifiness of the nibs, according to our fifth plan: n view of the back of a pen: i view of the inside: ' section in profile: n the pen: 9 a forked spring, one prong of which presses upon each nib of the pen: two rivets and four washers, the rivets passing through two holes in the pen, and through two slits or mortices in the body of the spring: a a knob, by which the spring may be slidden. In the case of portable or fragment pens, we sometimes affix the forked spring to the back of the holder, in the same manner as just de-scribed, for the back of a pen; and sometimes we make the forked spring a mere prolongation of the back or upper jaw of the pen-holder, and adjust the degrees of stiffness of the pen by putting it to a greater or less depth into the holder.“
Pen Specification Engraving Fig. 9
“Fig. 9, shows a common portable pen-holder, with the back or upper jaw prolonged into a forked spring: 3 view of the back of the holder, spring, and pen together: b profile of the same: e the pen-holder, usually extending ne further over the pen than the dotted line: the pen: & the spring: the handle.”
Pen Specification Engraving Fig. 10
“Fig. 10, another common portable pen-holder, with which the forked spring is united by a prolongation of the ferrule: view of the back of the holder, spring, and pen together: a profile of the same: w the pen-holder, usually extending to the dotted line: g the spring: • the handle”
Etui Sewing Kit
Early Mordan Production
The illustrated sewing kit contains a Mordan Needle Case stamped with the British assay mark “S. Mordan’s” and other items including pen knife and scissors.
The pen knife is marked B & S and the scissor is unmarked. Although the originality of the contents may not be intact, the silver needle case is marked “S. Mordan’s”, and the aforementioned unmarked pencil was found within the contents.